The iPhone 3Gs has given Apple a real boost. After selling 1 million 3Gs in just 3 days and a total of 5.2million iPhones in Q3 (majority of which were the old iPhone 3G); it seems that Apple is facing serious stock issues. Rogers in Canada is out of stock and is full filling the back orders with whatever new stock arrives on a weekly basis. Earlier this month even Australia went out of stock and supply still remains thin.
During the Q3 earnings call, Apple COO, Tim Cook had admitted that iPhone 3G S demand is high, and some overseas launch might be delayed due to stock issues. This probably explains the delay in the iPhone 3GS India launch. Currently AT&T in US is promising delivery in 7-14 days. US remains Apple’s primary market for the iPhone, and we can expect the supply chain to favor the countries where the 3GS has already been introduced. The iPhone 3G S was originally expected to hit the Indian market sometime in August itself (we also heard some wild pricing details), but we are highly unsure on the India launch now as wild estimates are ranging from late August to October. No one including the employees and PR at the Indian carriers are able to give a clear view at the moment.
Where to buy the iPhone 3GS in India?
Meantime the iPhone 3G and the 3GS continue to sell in the grey markets in Mumbai. iPhones imported from US and other markets is unlocked and sold at a good premium. Currently an iPhone 3Gs 16GB costs approx Rs 39000 in the grey market.