U.S. carrier supplies of iPhone 5s reportedly low for launch day

Along with the excitement the impending iPhone 5s launch is bringing to the world, there continues to be the lingering thoughts of how many there will be out there to buy. Apple doesn’t talk publicly about such numbers, but whispers still find their way out into the open. The latest to chime in are carrier sources of AllThingsD, that suggest their inventory for launch isn’t that hot.

Sources at multiple U.S. carriers said that the inventory of the new phone is significantly less than expected.“We will have grotesquely unavailable inventory,” was how one carrier source put it. A source at a second carrier also complained of extremely disappointing shipments from Apple, but said that demand for the high-end iPhone may also be slightly less than initially thought, too. Apparently it is the colors of the iPhone 5c that seem to have captured more customer’s eye.

No doubt Apple will also be banking on the new iPhone 5c taking its fair share of the purchases come Friday, with the carrier sources claiming supply of the lower-cost option are better than that of the flagship iPhone 5s.

Every year a new iPhone comes out, every year it’s an extremely popular product and every year there’s talk of if or how quickly the various options will sell out. This year is absolutely no different; the iPhone 5s is going to sell like hotcakes. For now, our advice remains the same. If you want one – really, really want one – on September 20, head out early to your local Apple or carrier store and get in line.

Do you want an iPhone 5s enough to wait out in line for it? Or will you be taking your chances with an online order this Friday?

Source: AllThingsD