As the iPhone 4S remains in extremely high demand more than a month after its release, The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. carriers continue to face shortages of the popular device.
Customers of Verizon Wireless or AT&T may have to wait up to three weeks to receive a newly purchased device, while Sprint reports only a 14-day delay on their end. Contrary to some reports suggesting Apple’s manufacturing may not be up to par, carriers suggest that extraordinarily high demand is more likely the culprit.
When faced with shortages and high demand, Apple typically favors its own retail stores over carriers, but even Apple is reporting 1-2 week shipping delays on new orders, while Apple Retail Stores continue to require reservations in advance in order to pick a device up locally.
Apple and all three major U.S. carriers reported record-breaking sales numbers around the launch of the iPhone 4S, and with demand remaining high, it’s likely that Apple will experience all-time record sales (the device is currently on track to become the fastest-selling device of all time).
