iPhone availability is one of the main concerns when buying an iPhone. The iPhone is quite popular around the globe and that is why many people want to buy it. This is especially true when there is a new model of iPhone and people would camp outside of stores just before its release date. Furthermore, iPhones are usually restricted to one network carrier in a country, adding a more “limited” feel to it. Here are some information about iPhone availability.
One of the main factors that contribute to the iPhone availability is the manufacturers who make the units. Apple does not have their own factories that make their iPhone units. Instead, they employ a partner company that produces iPhone units for them. Foxconn, an electronics company based in China, is AppleÂ’s main partner in making iPhones and also iPods. At present, the companyÂ’s production rate of iPhone 4 is at 137,000 a day which is like 1.5 per second or 50 million in a year. Another partner of Apple in making iPhones is the Taiwan-based notebook manufacturer Pegatron Technology. The company is formerly a part of Asustek Computer Incorporated and it is currently tasked to make 12-15 million CDMA iPhone 4 units for 2011.
Another significant aspect that influences iPhone availability is the mobile network carriers. In most countries, the iPhone is sold with a SIM lock which restricts the iPhone to a particular network carrier. Additionally, the iPhone was formerly restricted to a specific type of network. Starting the release of the first iPhone up until 2010, the iPhone can only be used in GSM networks. However, before the end of 2010, Verizon, a CDMA network in the US, has revealed that they will be soon selling CDMA-compatible iPhones by 2011. Furthermore, Apple has revealed that the CDMA iPhone is a multi-year, non exclusive deal with Verizon. This is a positive news for iPhone availability worldwide since there is a high probability that it will now also become available to other CDMA networks too.