Whilst the standard run of the mill smartphone will simply appear on the shelves without any fanfare it seems that the common approach to launching a flagship mobile phone is very different.
First we have a run of leaks and rumours followed by an official press release. From this point on we then seem to see the handset released on pre-order for several weeks before it finally launches and actual stock materialises.
The question in my mind is do mobile phone providers sell more handsets if they become available on pre-order first and if they don’t is there any point to pre-orders?
The biggest benefit to the pre-order system is that should there be a limited amount of smartphones available on launch day you have already put your order in and jumped the queue.
We also benefit from seeing the full specification and review of features listed on sites such as www.mobilephones.com along with a series of official images.
The biggest potential flaw in the pre-order concept is that there may only be a limited range of tariffs on offer. When launch day finally arrives there may be a flurry of new tariffs and there may just be one that would suit you better.
HTC broke the normal pre-order cycle in March by making the HTC One M8 available straight after the launch in conjunction with Carphone Warehouse whilst other stockist had to wait an extra day or so.
Samsung on the other hand has opted to follow the normal pre-order process with its flagship phone the Samsung Galaxy S5, available on to pre-order right now with stock dispatched from the 11th April.
So, the question still remains; Do you sell more phones if they become available on pre-order first and if you don’t is there any point?
First we have a run of leaks and rumours followed by an official press release. From this point on we then seem to see the handset released on pre-order for several weeks before it finally launches and actual stock materialises.
The question in my mind is do mobile phone providers sell more handsets if they become available on pre-order first and if they don’t is there any point to pre-orders?
Pro’s of pre-order
The biggest benefit to the pre-order system is that should there be a limited amount of smartphones available on launch day you have already put your order in and jumped the queue.
We also benefit from seeing the full specification and review of features listed on sites such as www.mobilephones.com along with a series of official images.
Con’s of pre-order
The biggest potential flaw in the pre-order concept is that there may only be a limited range of tariffs on offer. When launch day finally arrives there may be a flurry of new tariffs and there may just be one that would suit you better.
Breaking the norm
HTC broke the normal pre-order cycle in March by making the HTC One M8 available straight after the launch in conjunction with Carphone Warehouse whilst other stockist had to wait an extra day or so.
Samsung on the other hand has opted to follow the normal pre-order process with its flagship phone the Samsung Galaxy S5, available on to pre-order right now with stock dispatched from the 11th April.
End
So, the question still remains; Do you sell more phones if they become available on pre-order first and if you don’t is there any point?
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