Apple Inc. (AAPL): iPhone 5s Almost Sold Out in China; iPhone 5c Lagging

A few hours ago, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) published a press release confirming the launch details for its new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, which will be available at retailers and carrier companies since this Friday, September 20^th. Some of the places where you will be able to find these new phones include (Apple Stores, of course!)  Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), RadioShack Corporation (NYSE:RSH), Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) stores, as well as wireless carriers like Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Sprint Corporation (NYSE:S) and T MOBILE US INC (NYSE:TMUS).

Although the list of retailers was already published, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is not taking pre-orders in the U.S. or other Western countries. However, it is offering this option in China and Hong Kong. Some believe that this decision aims at frustrating scalpers –people buy sizable amounts of iPhones and then sell them for a profit, “an issue that has plagued Apple releases in China for years” (MacRumors). While the iPhone 5c was no home-rum, the iPhone 5s has virtually sold out already.

Apparently, some of this optimism has reflected on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)´s stock, which rose by almost 2% today (September 17^th), after one week on decline.

To make front to the slower sales of the iPhone 5c, the company released the first commercial on Monday night. The ad features colorful liquids transforming into iPhone 5c handsets, a device “For the colorful,” as the tagline states. “Now given that a) the iPhone is responsible for the bulk of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s quarterly revenue and b) that the 5c is an entirely new product, it stands to reason that we’ll soon be seeing a huge marketing push for the iPhone 5c in the coming weeks.” (TUAW)

Besides the ad campaign, competition amongst carriers should also help iPhone 5c sales too. Selling at a retail price of $99 with a two-year plan, the iPhone 5c is a great candidate for wireless carriers to win clients. In fact, it is already being offered for free for customers who switch their phone number over to Sprint Corporation (NYSE:S). The devices will also receive significant subsidies from Chinese and Japanese carriers, which should drive sales even further.

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no position in any stocks mentioned

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