A CNBC report claims that Apple has received more than 3.4M pre-orders for the iPhone SE through retailers in China. The report says that gold was the most popular color, accounting for 1.3M orders, with rose gold close behind at 1.2M. If the numbers are correct, adding in orders direct from Apple and in other countries could see some very impressive sales numbers …
The report says that Apple’s decision to push sales through pre-orders was partly to reduce the huge queues that have been seen outside retail stores for previous launches. The disruption caused by these was said to have angered many, some even throwing eggs at stores.
Scalpers seem to be the only ones unhappy with the arrangements. For the iPhone 6, they were demanding a premium of $300 for a launch-day phone, while they are reportedly unable to charge more than a $30 premium for the lower-cost SE.
Apple doesn’t generally break down sales numbers by models, and we’ll likely have to wait until next week before we hear any official numbers for iPhone sales, wtih the SE going on sale in stores on Thursday.
You can see how the SE compares to the rest of the line-up, and you’ll also be able to find out how both Zac and I get on with our iPhone SEs once we get our hands on them later this week.
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CNBC just posted a follow up piece “iPhone SE May Have a China Problem” – based on the low premium sought on the scalper market. You can’t make this stuff.
Small size for small hands. Makes sense. If it wasn’t for a personal dislike of the whole iOS UX today, and the lack of stereo audio recording during video recording, and no USB-C, I would consider this over a droid as a second phone.
That’s a weird (and inaccurate) assumption. Phablet style phones are generally much more popular in China and Asia than the US or anywhere else.
@twelve01: You need to measure the Chinese market in absolute numbers, not relative. When you have a billion potential customers, it doesn’t matter if 90% of them prefer phablets. This is the same mistake that analysts made in assuming that China would be a dud market, since the per-capita annual income is less than the cost of an iPhone. The absolute number of rich customers in China is still larger than in the US, despite the much smaller percentage.
You hate the UI and still would consider one? That’s pretty good for Apple. I don’t know many iOS users that would say that about Android.
No USB-C…GTFOH!
Stereo audio recording? Exactly how would putting two mics on the device give you anything remotely close to meaningful stereo separation? Like someone else said, GTFOH. Numb nuts.
What do you use usbc for?
And in other news, several Wall St analyists say that their estimates for the Chinese orders was 10 Million and brand the product a total failure
Ok, this is a sarcastic comment but no matter what Apple do Wall St marks them down as a failure. Just the way of the world these days.
DOOMED!!!
XD
Seriously: “DOOMED” is the new buzzword now.
Doesn’t surprise me. When I was in the pickup queue for my iPhone 6 Plus at launch, several Asian people were in front of me. They were all collecting 5s models.
Funny, considering these were the guys that ate up the 6 and 6 Plus two years ago.
Maybe after having a big phone because that was the IN thing, realize it’s just to big!! Hell there’s days I still miss my iPhone 4 and it’s 3.5″ screen!!! I loved being able to just use one hand and it wasn’t so big and bulky. It’s also why I didn’t do with the PLUS. It’s just so BIG. No thanks!!!!