Apple Inc's newly launched smartphones - iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, have apparently not lived up to expectations with pre-orders for the devices said to be "disappointing", Reuters reported citing a source at a US wireless carrier.
Apple had launched the cheaper-range iPhone 5C along with the premier iPhone 5S last week (10 September) and opened the pre-order window on Friday (13 Sep). [How to Install iOS 7]
The frenzy surrounding Apple products has always been overwhelming in the past. Pre-orders for iPhone 5 crossed two million in just 24 hours, breaking the previous one-million record held by iPhone 4S. However, the new devices - iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, seem to have received a cold response.
According to Reuters, the source who refused to be identified as Apple has not disclosed the sales figure of the new smartphones, said that the pre-orders of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are not as high as expected. Many analysts have come down heavily on Apple, saying that the new devices lacked innovation and were over-priced.
iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C may find less takers in price-sensitive markets like India and China.
The price of iPhone 5S will vary from $199 (₹12,700) for 16GB, $299 (₹19,000) for 32GB and $399 (₹25,500) for 64GB. They come with a two-year contract and will be made available in three colour options of gray, silver and gold. The unlocked 16GB model will be priced $649 (₹41,600), and the 64GB model for $849 (₹54,500).
The 16GB version of iPhone 5C will cost $99 (₹6,300) and the 32GB model for $199 (₹12,700) with contract. The device will come in five colours - blue, green, pink, yellow and white. Its price will be higher without contract with the 16GB variant expected to cost ₹35,200 ($549) and ₹41,600 ($649) for 32GB.
"Price point of iPhone 5c could be in the range of Rs 30,000-35,000, which will not be seen as a low-end product. Apple will have to calibrate the Indian market carefully for its launch," Jaideep Mehta, IDC India head, had earlier told PTI.
"iPhone 5c is not a mass phone. I think it will play in the high-end smartphone market," said Jaideep Ghosh, KPMG (India) Partner.
Both smartphones will be sold through four major US carriers - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. It will go on sale from 20 September in countries like US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK, before making its way to 100 more countries including India by the end of the year.
Video of Apple's Launch of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C:
