Handset upgrades down as customers wait on iPhone 5 release
Carphone Warehouse has seen a “huge” number of customers holding back from upgrading their handsets in the build up to the iPhone 5 launch.
This is according to the firms CEO Andrew Harrison who claims around 15 per cent of all mobile phone users in the UK will upgrade to a smartphone within the next three months – with the iPhone tipped to be the biggest seller.
Carphone Warehouse has sold more than 1.6 million iPhone handsets since the range first become available back in 2007.
The firm, which claims to be the biggest independent reseller of the iPhone, has increase its call centre hours to cope with the expected increase in iPhone enquires over the coming weeks.
The iPhone 5 will be available from September 21. Handset prices and network tariff costs have yet to be revealed at this time (September 13).
Harrison said: “We know from our own insights that huge numbers of customers have held back from upgrading their smartphones in anticipation of Apple’s big reveal. We predict that more consumers than any other handset launched this year will purchase the iPhone 5.
“Apple has raised the bar once again with the launch of yet another compelling device and we expect to see unprecedented demand for the handset, accessories and insurance cover. This highly anticipated handset launch alongside the 4G announcement made this week, has really set the tone to ignite the high street ahead of Christmas 2012.”
