3G iPhone in short supply, humungous queues predicted for Friday - how will you get yours?

Panic must be rife amongst 3G iPhone wannabe owners this week. Not only are we being told that O2 are in short supply and their online upgrade offer sold out within hours, taking a reported 13,000 orders per second, but pre-orders are already outstripping supply. Not only that, both Carphone Warehouse and O2 are reportedly saying they'll only have a few dozen handsets in store. Apple has only been able to supply a small proportion of the number of phones originally requested, because the handset is launching in 22 countries simultaneously - that's a whole lotta' phones. So it's little wonder panic-stricken iPhone desirers are pulling their hair out, trying to ascertain how on earth they're going to get their hands on the worshipped Jesus phone.

You could try your luck queuing outside Carphone Warehouse and O2 shops come Friday. Although record breaking queues already began forming outside the New York Apple store this weekend, which means the UK are equally tipped to do the same. We already know the British can go through extreme lengths for things. Just look at Wimbledon and the release of exclusive video games, which has seen many a fanboy queuing for their video game goodies for hours on end - need I say more. The chances of getting one are getting thinner and thinner aren't they?

There are some alternatives however. For example, instead of competing for queuing space outside one of the more popular stores in well-known areas at 8.02am, why not try your luck at a smaller, more remote O2 or Carphone Warehouse store. Or another option - for the more patient - could be to just wait a few weeks, maybe even a month, for stock to be replenished. You'll have your new handset, minus the hustle and bustle of what Friday will bring, and by the time you get it those weeks would have flown by.

With the demand for the 3G iPhone at "unprecedented levels", the determined had better get their camping gear ready and prepare for pushing and shoving aplenty. I look forward to hearing about all the mayhem that is bound to take place on what will be glorious day for many.

[via Phone Reviews]

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