iPhone 6 Release: What Not to Expect
With
an iPhone
6 launch
event all but confirmed for September 9th, there’s a good chance that a iPhone
6 release date is right around the corner. With the new iPhone release in
sight, we want to take a look at what we don’t expect from Apple and the
upcoming iPhone 6 release.
For
most of 2014, we’ve seen iPhone 6 rumors swirl. Over the course of seven
months, vague details and leaks have given way to very specific rumors
regarding the iPhone 6 specs, the iPhone 6 design, the iPhone 6 launch date and
of course, the iPhone 6 release date. No stone has been left unturned in the
build up to Apple’s iPhone launch.
In
the lead up to September, we’ve seen
iPhone 6 rumors start to firm up around key details.
iPhone 6 design rumors point to an overhaul that includes more metal, a thinner
frame, changes to the button layout, a taller and wider form factor, Touch ID,
and more. iPhone 6 spec rumors point to a number of significant upgrades
including a larger higher resolution displays, a new A8 processor with M8
coprocessor, and an improved rear camera for better photos and video.
Earlier
this month, iPhone 6 launch date rumors were all but confirmed thanks to
reports from Recode and The Wall Street Journal that not only put the iPhone 6 launch date in
September as rumors suggested but put it on a specific date. September 9th is
now the leading candidate for the iPhone 6 launch date and it should only be a
matter of time before Apple sends out invites beckoning the media to a launch
event in California.
It’s
there that we expect to hear all about the iPhone 6 specs, iPhone 6 design and
the iPhone 6 release date that remains elusive despite a number of credible
rumors.
With
an iPhone 6 launch date virtually set in stone for September 9th, it’s clear
that the iPhone 6 release is close. Apple historically offers a two week gap
between launch and release and iPhone 6 rumors put its arrival inside the month
of September.
While
iphone 6 release date derails have been a bit scarce, we have enough
information and enough experience with iphone releases to make some predictions
about how the iphone 6 release and release date will play out. We’ve already
taken a look at what we expect and it’s now time to reverse gears.
Here
is what we do not expect from the iphone 6 release and these are the things
that we think prospective buyers will want to keep in mind as we head closer to
September 9th and the fall.
Only the U.S. Release Date at Launch
On
September 9th, Apple is almost certainly going to outline the iphone
6 release and release date. Unlike some Android manufacturers, Apple always
offers very specific iphone release information at its launch events and we’re
not expecting anything less from the company this year.
We
expect the U.S. iphone 6 release date to be a big piece of the puzzle but we’re
not expecting it to be the only specific iphone 6 release date announced on
September 9th.
There
are other important battle grounds the Apple needs to look after and it will
likely do so by announcing specific release dates for several regions around
the world. Here’s how last year’s iphone 5s release played out:
September 20th release:
·
United states
·
United kingdom
·
Canada
·
China
·
France
·
Germany
·
Australia
·
Japan
·
Hong Kong
·
Singapore
Other
countries saw the iphone 5s arrive in either October, November or January.
We’re expecting another staggered release for the iphone 6 and we don’t expect
Apple to hold back many details in regards to specific dates. Look for the
company to outline its plans on September 9th in an attempt to quell
interest in devices like the Galaxy Note 4, LG G3 and others.
One iphone 6 release date announced on
September 9th
Apple
is expected to announce two new iphone models at its launce event and we would
be shocked if the company failed to tag one of them with a specific release
date.
While
nothing is confirmed, it’s looking like Apple will announced a 4.7 inch iphone
6 and a larger 5.5 inch iphone6 on September 9th. If true, it would
mirror what it did last year with the iphone 5s and iphone 5c and the ipad Air
and ipad mini with Retina display. The company used one event to announce those
pairings.
At
those events, it tagged the devices with release dates. The iphone 5s and
iphone 5c were given a September 20th release date while the ipad
Air and ipad mini, which were revealed in October. Were tagged with release
dates in November. The ipad mini with Retina display was not given a specific
release date but Apple assured customers that it would be out In November.
We
don’t expect anything different here with the iphone 6. If Apple announces two
iphone, both should come with fairly specific release dates so that consumers
can prepare themselves.
Both iphone 6 releases outside September
At this point, given Apple’s history, and given
the iphone 6 release rumors that have continually put the 4.7 inch iphone 6
model’s release inside of September, it’s hard to imagine both Iphone 6
releases taking place outside of September. In other words, we’d be shocked if
both iphone were released in the month of October.
Iphone
6 release rumors suggest that we could see a delayed release for the 5.5 inch
iphone 6. Rumors have centered around October and November, both of which make
sense. One, Apple will want to get its iphone out ahead of Black Friday, one of
biggest shopping dates of the year, which falls in late November. And two,
getting its iphone out prior to November ensures that it can provide ample
stock during the holiday shopping season.
September
looks like a lock for one iphone 6 release, September 19th keeps
coming up as a potential date, and while we may not see both iphones arrive
that day, we’d be surprised if we saw either device get release beyond October.
November releases would be cutting it way too close to the holidays.
Different U.S.
Carrier iphone 6 release dates
As
for the U.S. iphone 6 release dates, we expect all five major carriers
(AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon) to carry both variants
of the iphone 6 should two variants appear. Furthermore, we don’t expect the
top four carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon) to offer different
iphone 6 release dates for either device.
We
always see the United States’ top carriers release the iphone on the same day
and it would be strange to see Apple use a staggered release in the United
States with a major release like the iphone6. We always see one concrete day.
In the case of the iphone 6, we might see two iphone release dates and we
expect U.S. carriers to share them both.
U.S. Cellular iphone 6 release date far behind
Last
year, U.S. Cellular started carrying the iphone for the first time. The
nation’s fifth largest carrier released the iphone 5s in early November,
several months after its rivals. Now that it has a year with the iphone under
its belt, we don’t expect there to be as big of a gap as the carrier looks to
play catch up to its competitors.
Remember,
U.S. Cellular is almost always at the front of the pack when it comes to big
name Android smartphone launches and it would be surprising to see it falter
with the iphone 6 release. It may not arrive on the day one but we’re not
expecting the same kind of gap that we saw last year.
Smaller carriers on release day
If
you’re looking for the iphone 6 on carriers like C Spire or Cricket, you’re
probably going to have to wait. Smaller pre-paid and regional carriers are
usually behind the curve and they typically leave the release day glory to the
mahor carriers. We typically see these carriers release the iphone over a
period of a couple of months with some releasing just days after the initial
iphone release.
Those
looking to snag an iphone 6 on a service like Straight Talk will likely have to
wait a little linger. Straight Talk is usually months behind the rest of the
pack and it’s hard to expect a quicker turnaround with the iphone 6. While
things could speed up a bit, do not expect a Straight Talk iphone6 to arrive anywhere close to the first release
day.
Delayed color otptions
Don’t
expect Apple to pull a Samsung. While consumers had to wait to get their hands
on the gold and blue versions of the Samsung Galaxy S5, those who bought last
year’s iphone 5s were treated to all three colors right off the bat.
Iphone
6 color options remain in the shadows but we don’t expect to see any exclusives
or any delays when it comes to the iphones 6’s design. Look for Apple to put
them all on sale immediately without any red tape.
Ample stock
Do
not expect to encounter ample stock at physical retail locations like Best Buy
and RadioShack. Historically, Apple Stores and carrier stores carry the most
stock on the iphone release day. Third-party retailers typically don’t have a
lot of options and we almost always see them, Apple Stores and carrier stores
sell out on day one.
If
you do go to a third-party retailer, don’t expect to get the storage and color
option that you want. We almost always see the most popular variants go first.
Last year, the 16GB and 32GB gold iphone5s variants sold out almost insrantly.
Zero shipping delays
Do
not expect a flawless pre-order or ordering process. We almost always see the
iphone hit with shipping delays due to widespread demand. And with the iphone 6
representing the biggest change to the iphone since the iphone 5, we’re
expecting the device to ensure the same shipping delays that we’ve seen other,
lesser iphones incur.
It’s
hard to predict how long those shipping delays might last, it’s typically a few
weeks at least, so those who want the iphone 6 on release day will want to be
on their toes and ready to order the second it goes on sale.
Stagnant iphone pricing
When
the iphone 6 release arrives, we expect Apple to change up its current iphone
pricing. For years, Apple has offered the iphone at $199.99, $99 and free on
contract price points. With two new iphones on the way, we’re expecting devices
to get bumped down in price.
Here
is how we could see the iphone 6 lineup panning out:
·
Iphone 6 5.5 inch : $299.99
·
Iphone 6 4.7 inch : $199.99
·
Iphone 5s : $99
·
Iphone 5c : Free
on contract
This,
if true, would put an iphone at every single key Android price point. Whatever
the case, don’t expect the iphone 5s to stay at its full $199.99 price point a
year after release. Not with retailers like Walmart already offering it at $99.
Same
goes for the iphone 5c. Walmart is offering it for just $29 on contract and we
simply can’t see Apple continuing to offer it at $99.
Finally,
don’t expect the iphone 6 release to be quiet like the ipad Air and ipad mini
with Retina display releases were. It will almost certainly be the spectacle
that Apple wants it to be.
Last
year, Tim Cook and other Apple execs went out to Apple Stores to greet iphone
shoppers, all in an effort to foster a better and more open relationship with
their loyal customers.
Apple
loves the limelight and it uses that limelight to hurt the competition. With
huge Samsung and Motorola launches coming in September, look for Apple to bring
out the big guns for the iphone 6 release and turn it into a truly memorable
launch.
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