Apple fans who really want to own an iPhone 7 Plus have to muster a lot of patience to see their wish become a reality, as the demand for the device has exceeded expectations.
The company announced on Thursday, Sept. 15, that fans were so eager to get the iPhone 7 Plus that the first batches of the phablet variant were already sold out, regardless of color option. Preorders started last week and gave fans the chance to be the first to own the new line of devices.
Also sold out is the standard iPhone 7's Jet Black model. The company first introduced the new color option in the new line of handsets, and it looks like betting on black paid off. Previous rumors have warned that the iPhone 7 will be in limited supply at launch.
Trudy Muller, Apple's spokeswoman, praised the customers' patience in a statement.
"We work hard to get the new iPhone into the hands of everyone who wants one as quickly as possible," she added.
Before the world found out that the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus wares had been depleted, the phone was scheduled to land in stores this Friday, along with the 4.7-inch iPhone 7.
The smartphones look pretty much like last year's edition but have a few enhancements and modifications that make them stand out. First of all, Apple ditched the headphone jack, making a push toward wireless headphones or ones that use the Lightning charging port to plug into the phone.
Additionally, the iPhone 7 carries an improved camera, a feature that takes the cake in the iPhone 7 Plus thanks to the option to use optical zoom.
The phones are packing faster, more efficient CPUs, increased default storage space, a water-resistant chassis and a revamped home button, which no longer uses physical interaction but relies on a Taptic Engine to simulate the physical interaction.
The company also added two color options to the iPhone 7's traditional colors namely Black and Jet Black.
A premiere for the company, Apple will not disclose opening weekend sales figures for its latest handset. The company notes that the figure will be more reflective of supply instead of demand.
Apple decided that this figure does not reflect the actual demand from its customers, and it would also not serve the interests of its investors if it were published.
Jan Dawson, an analyst with Jackdaw Research, is confident that the company will fare well despite rumors that iPhone sales are leveling.
"Based on everything I've seen it looks like demand is very strong," he points out.
