On Tuesday, Apple updated its online store which now will provide the 24-hour shipping times for the carrier-locked versions of iPhone 5s for US-based customers. Buyers can opt for various wireless service plans or those network carriers which are compatible with the model: AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. So the iPhone 5s in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variant will be available in the online store. Also, it will come with color options such as gray, gold and silver. The model will be available for shipment within 24 hours as per the advertisement.
Customers will have to wait longer for getting an unlocked and unsubsidized version of the device. Also, those who wish to buy a contract-free iPhone 5s with a T-mobile SIM card will also have to wait at least one to three business days to get the set in hand. Since Apple has been able to achieve the complete accessibility of the iPhone in its retail stores in the U.S. it has shortened the shipping time to 24 hours. With a full stock of the model within the store as seen in the polling done by Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray on Apple stores, the company has taken the initiative of quicker shipment.
Previously the estimate time of shipment was somewhere around one to three days. But this improved timing as advertised on the Apple site was achieved just last week. The iPhone 5s was launched in September, and since then it has been the first time that iPhone 5s is easily available in all the stores located in the various part of the country. It reflects a better availability signs of the device unlike before when iPhone 5s was continuously facing the supply shortage.
Since its launch in September the device was affected by the limited production of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. In turn there was a supply constraint of the final product in stores. The company could not achieve its usual production level during that phase.
However, the updated shipping schedule published on the site of Apple reflects that the company has been able to meet the demands of iPhone 5s around the country and has pepped up the production of the model. With the upcoming holiday, shoppers during Christmas may find getting their hands on iPhone 5s much easier than ever.
