Apple deviated from its usual course when the company announced that it would not report the sales volume of the new iPhone on its first weekend. However, it released a statement confirming that all units of the iPhone 7 Plus have already been allocated. This includes its new Jet Black iPhone 7s.
According to Tech Crunch, Apple stated that walk-in customers without any prior reservation are likely to return empty-handed from Apple Stores. The same holds true for Jet Black version of the phone. The company said that only limited quantities would be released to the stores.
One sure way to get the iPhone is to order it online. However, buyers would be required to wait until the backlog is cleared. According to Engadget, the current waiting time is between 2 to 3 weeks. In the case of Jet Black handsets, the waiting period may be as long as five weeks. The Apple iPhone 7 Plus variant is even more elusive; fans may be required to wait until November.
Apple's latest flagship smartphones have been launched in Hong Kong, China, Australia and Singapore. Fans formed long queues for the coveted handsets.
Some fans reportedly paid high prices to scalpers for the devices. In Singapore, some fans are said to have set up tents to be the first ones to get the phone. In New Zealand, local telecom company Spark used robots to queue up on behalf of customers.