The rumored November 5 launch of the much-awaited iPhone 5 in Malaysia didn’t quite happen, although some evidence did point to its eminent release.
It was highly expected that Apple‘s latest smartphone would be launched simultaneously with other countries like India, barring any supply shortages. India eventually did secure a launch on November 2, as did Mexico, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta, and Romania.
But as luck would have it, there is indeed a shortage, and a global one at that — main supplier Foxconn just can’t churn them out fast enough. A Foxconn executive recently cited ‘assembly challenges’ but did not suggest that it was the reason for any delays. Demand for the iPhone has been phenomenal despite the onslaught of Android-based devices. The Apple Store Online still quotes 3-4 weeks for shipment of orders.
Apple sold over 5 million units of iPhone 5 in its first weekend of sales, the fastest-selling iPhone ever in the history of the tech giant.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, according to a reliable source close to VERNONCHAN.COM, the local launch has already been pushed twice at the instruction of Apple. The latest update is that the launch will be some time ‘mid-December’. No definite date has been revealed, and again, there is always a likelihood of this being pushed even further depending on supply. Looking back at previous launches, do expect it to happen over a Friday though.
Stock in Singapore is low as well. I paid a visit to one of the city’s biggest premier resellers Epicenter today, and saw make-shift signs clearly displaying “iPhone 5 Sold Out” and “iPad mini Sold Out.”
Will the elusive iPhone 5 make it to Malaysian consumer hands by the holiday season? All we can really do is sit and wait (or buy a Samsung GALAXY Note 2 – troll). One thing’s for sure though, there seems to be plenty of pent-up demand.
