As feared before Apple's Sept. 9 product announcement event, high demand and strained supply lines for the 5.5-inch version of the iPhone 6 are pushing fulfillment dates several weeks later than the 4.7-inch variant of Apple's latest series of smartphones.
Specific numbers on iPhone 6 preorders aren't available yet, but representatives from AT&T and Apple spokeswoman Trudy Miller have indicated that the advance order figures are historic.
"Response to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been incredible, with a record number of preorders overnight. Preorders are currently available online or through the Apple Store App," said Muller.
T-Mobile CEO John Legere took to Twitter to speak to subscribers about the struggles of his company's site in facilitating preorders. Ralph de la Vega, AT&T's CEO of mobile business, took time to bask in the stream of new business the iPhones 6 has been bringing his company.
"It is such a great thing to wake up in the morning to know that you have hundreds of thousands of orders already before you even have a cup of coffee," said de la Vega.
The 4.7-inch versions of the iPhone 6 are still available and scheduled to make the Sept. 19 launch date, but fulfillment of orders for the larger iPhone 6 Plus is projected by several carriers to take anywhere from three to six weeks.
While eager Apple fans in the U.S. may be disappointed in iPhone 6 Plus' delayed shipping dates, consumers in the world's largest mobile market, China, haven't received a release date for the smartphone in their country.
With supplies so short, it's unquestionably a seller's market for the iPhone 6 Plus and the opportunists are starting to flock. With only confirmation of a successful order, some eBay users have been looking to sell their iPhone 6 Plus, unlocked and untied to carriers, as soon as they receive the handsets.
"I preordered two Unlocked Gold 128-GB iPhone 6 Plus phones," says an eBay opportunist. "I have proof of purchase. This auction is a preorder for the two phones and I will deliver them to you as soon as they are in my hands. I can guarantee you will get the two phones without you having to wait hours in line overnight on launch day. WAIT NO MORE! I am a trusted seller with hundreds of positive feedback (100% positive.)"
Ebay's policies allows the site's merchants to field orders for items that aren't available yet. However, the auction site requires presale items to ship within 30 days of the buyer's purchase date, a window that may be too tight to fit iPhone 6 Plus' delays and the reseller's shipment of the handsets.
