[megaresp]

I've been checking Apple's UK online store for the last 10 days or so and this model has had "availability 3-4 weeks" during this time.

Does anyone know if Apple keeps their delivery estimate up-to-date, or does it just change to "Available now" once the stock arrives?

I would like to buy the phone sim-free (hence Apple Store) so I can ditch Three once my contract ends. But it seems it's not possible to buy the phone from anyone but one of the networks.

[dephanix02]

Check the reserve for in store collection page around midnight. Most stores get new (VERY limited) stock you can reserve and collect later that same day. That's how I got my 64gb 6+ gold.

[d123]

Check this stock checker, just after midnight and again around 11h00-12h00 (other times sometimes have updates as well, check as often as you can).

http://iphone6stockchecker.com

Have the reservation window open in a second window and when you see stock in a local branch immediately reserve for collection.

https://reserve.cdn-apple.com/GB/en_...e/availability

You do have to collect within an hour window later on the same day.

There has been stock available most days for the last few weeks, but it sells out pretty quickly.

[megaresp]

Brilliant, thanks for your replies. I'll do that tonight.

[alanwarwic]

Well I was recently reading up on SSD which are getting very cheap to buy at the moment.

One item of a google search had the word iPhone 6 in it, so like curiosity killed the cat, I clicked on it.
http://technews.tw/2014/11/04/iphone...-nand-trouble/
"Part of the industry believes that if TLC flash iPhone 6 Plus is really the main cause of system crashes, then Apple might recall all products have been sold."

Seems the 128GB iPhone 6 chose to use that memory to cut costs. You need to translate to find there is industry talk of a problem that may need a recall/new SSD firmware or whatever.

edit - maybe forget TLC it is often used to describe MLC., quite standard, so a firmware problem maybe?
However Micron do not recommend TLC for phones or SSD, only for SD cards and media players.

[alanwarwic]

http://bgr.com/2014/11/04/128gb-ipho...sh-and-reboot/

They linked it to Samsung EVO but 'crashing' does not seem to relate to 'slowdown'.

[alanwarwic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

http://bgr.com/2014/11/04/128gb-ipho...sh-and-reboot/
They linked it to Samsung EVO but 'crashing' does not seem to relate to 'slowdown'.

and
http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-iphone-...-model-1718952
Again, linked to Samsung

http://9to5mac.com/2014/11/04/debunk...hing-bug-rare/
"we’ve confirmed with our sources that reports of a recall are completely false."

Well, I'll report that any recall would take place, true to form, January 2016.

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by megaresp

Brilliant, thanks for your replies. I'll do that tonight.

Quite good stock levels today (depending where you are, of course).

[The Lord Lucan]

Much like bendgate a few people seeing an issue, which is amplified to into a 'problem' by rumour sites does not make it an issue, let alone a recall issue...

[alanwarwic]

TW now reports it as unlikely the hard drive is the problem though does still say that '128GB iPhone 6 Plus users have their devices shut off without warning'.
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20141105PD209.html

I cant agree with the reported comment on it being nothing to do with costs. Apple own Anobit who's aim was to to use the 30% cost reduction by making TLC an acceptable quality for SSD usage. And obviously current die shrinkage makes things fit easy in a big phone. However rumour had it that 128GB was a last minute thing when they got cold feet on their purchased option from GT on sapphire.

I'm also left curious as to why iFixit now omits details on Flash memory used. (as well as the screen variations used.)

[ACU]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

Much like bendgate a few people seeing an issue, which is amplified to into a 'problem' by rumour sites does not make it an issue, let alone a recall issue...

Apple are taking it seriously and have made it an issue...

Of course they wont recall, even though its the right thing to do.

[alanwarwic]

Not sure it is. If its just a memory bug when it passes 512 apps then 512 apps is the limit.
I say 512, in that 512 exactly 9 binary bits, extremely close to the mentioned 'more than 500'.

[dabotsonline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

Not sure it is. If its just a memory bug when it passes 512 apps then 512 apps is the limit.
I say 512, in that 512 exactly 9 binary bits, extremely close to the mentioned 'more than 500'.

512 apps isn't an outrageously high number - I have around 550 on my 64GB iPhone 4s.

[alanwarwic]

If you believe this guy, this has to be the reason why there was a shortfall in 128GB phones.
That being that the 128GB ones are mainly defective and Apple have abandoned TLC memory to less faulty MLC memory, like what was already on the 64GB model.

http://www.quora.com/How-do-I-check-...CL-NAND-inside
If you have similar crashing on your 128GB maybe best follow that advice.

I'm part sceptical in that whilst TLC has much lower longevity the extra memory should really put it on a par with the better 64GB MLC memory iPhone 6. It don't quite add up.

[kidspud]

The reason they are in short supply is because they have sold so many. Not a particularly difficult concept and required no conspiracy theories because it can be seen in the financial results.

However, supplies are getting better slowly.

[alanwarwic]

Well, at the time we know there was stock about, just not in the Apple store.

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/artic...one-6-iphone-6

If you put 2 and 2 together you might conclude that Apple was making their own controller for the 128GB TCL version and it was this controller at fault. (op posted on 2nd Nov, this (still inconclusive) story arrived 3rd November)

I guess we will find out in about 12 months time. Maybe then Apple will issue a post warranty recall. I've still yet to see them recall anything in warranty, ever so that wuld be usual for them.

There are also other reasons to abandon the TLC, some 128GB iPhone benchmarks looking catastrophic compared to the 64GB iPhone.

[Stiggles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidspud

The reason they are in short supply is because they have sold so many. Not a particularly difficult concept and required no conspiracy theories because it can be seen in the financial results.

However, supplies are getting better slowly.

Not quite. Stock has only been an issue on the 128gb devices and its nothing to do with selling to many.

While i normally get a giggle at alans odd theories as well, he is correct about the memory issues on these 128gb iphones. Apple have indeed changed from TLC (which was a horrendously stupid idea in the first place), to MLC. Its not just a case of replacing the memory. They have to get hold of new controllers as well as a slight redesign of the motherboard. That takes time hence the delay in stock.

[kidspud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stiggles

Not quite. Stock has only been an issue on the 128gb devices and its nothing to do with selling to many.

While i normally get a giggle at alans odd theories as well, he is correct about the memory issues on these 128gb iphones. Apple have indeed changed from TLC (which was a horrendously stupid idea in the first place), to MLC. Its not just a case of replacing the memory. They have to get hold of new controllers as well as a slight redesign of the motherboard. That takes time hence the delay in stock.

Stock has not only been an issue on the 128gb which any of the stock trackers would have told you.

[Stiggles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidspud

Stock has not only been an issue on the 128gb which any of the stock trackers would have told you.

Which stock trackers are these?

I ask since i know no one who has had an issue buying an iphone 6/+ apart from the 128gb version in the last few months.

[kidspud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stiggles

Which stock trackers are these?

I ask since i know no one who has had an issue buying an iphone 6/+ apart from the 128gb version in the last few months.

Any of the stock trackers. Indeed there was a thread on here where AW was clearly stating there was no issue with iPhone stock availability, and was using the trackers as evidence. The grey 64gb iPhone has been the hardest to get hold of, and still difficult at some of the operators stores.

In fact, looking now at a stock checkers shows no specific problem with the 128gb, but just the general availability issue with certain colours.

http://iphonestockchecker.co.uk

[Chrysalis]

TLC will indeed be slower than MLC, and although TLC will have weaker durability, I wouldnt expect stability failures on a new device unless a controller issue or defective manufacturing.

TLC been cause of bad benchmarks? quite likely.
TLC been cause of these crashes? probably not if manufactured properly.

[alanwarwic]

All I understand is that TLC has about half the durability but with double memory that would make it level with 64GB.

Assuming there was a problem the controller is the most likely to have been at fault, possibly even fixable with new controller firmware.