Thousands queue for iPhone 5 release but stock already running low

Thousands of people around the country have queued to get their hands on the iPhone 5, and at 8am this morning the latest gadget from the biggest tech company in the world was unveiled – but anyone else searching for the device is going to have some tough luck.

Although Australia is the first country in the world to get the new gadget, stock is still extremely limited despite a large number of stores offering the device, including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone outlets, along with department stores, including JB Hi-Fi.

And with that hype continuing across the world, some detailed analysis has begun – iFixit.com has begun stripping apart the iPhone 5 to discover just how difficult it is to repair.

Reports from users on forums including Whirlpool suggest Apple stores in the major cities are selling out quickly, with the black 32GB model the first to go. There were as many as 200 people lining up outside the Apple Store in the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster last night, with similar turnouts elsewhere.

Apple stores were supposedly receiving thousands of units each, while telco outlets were limited to just a few dozen. JB Hi-Fi stores supposedly have even fewer, but smaller queues mean users are more likely to get a unit.

Limited supply didn’t stop queues of hundreds outside Telstra stores in Melbourne and Sydney – with patient customers receiving some special treatment.

“Among other treats, Telstra customers will be able to sit in luxurious chairs while being attended to by personal waiters dedicated to bringing them treats as the morning unfolds,” Telstra said in a statement.

Customers at Optus stores received similar treatment.

Those users who pre-ordered the devices through telcos are now receiving their devices, with stock on rollout in major capital cities. Hundreds of users have already reported getting their hands on the iPhone 5 as early as 8am.

However, users have reported seeing scheduled shipping dates of well into October, and a quick look at the Apple Store site confirms this – shipping dates have stretched into three or four weeks from today.

The shortage of each model will vary from location to location, although many users looking for specific versions of the phone will invariably be disappointed. Many Optus and Telstra stores have already sold out.

Users on Whirlpool have reported low stock levels in Sydney and Melbourne stores.

One user reported low levels of stock at an Optus store in the Melbourne CBD, while others have reported similar findings in Sydney.

“None of the Telstra shops in Wollongong had any…very poor showing on stock levels,” one user reported.