90 percent iPhone 5s stock now back in US retail stores

Ever since Apple launched the new iPhone 5s and the 5c, the former as been heralded as the "best iPhone" that the company has ever made. Earlier reports indicated that the 5s quickly went out of stock, the gold version faster than the others, across most markets. Even in India, the 5s emerged as the hot selling device and not the "cheaper" 5c. Since the initial launch, Apple has been promising to re-stock resellers in the country.

Anxious users waiting to get their hands on the new devices now have some good news in line. A new survey by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster reveals that 90 percent of iPhone 5s models are now back in stock, reports MacRumours. However, the data is currently applicable only for retail stores in the US.

What does this mean, exactly? Basically, 90 percent of the color/capacity/carrier combinations of iPhone 5s models are available in Apple retail stores in the US. The report says that the iPhone 5s availability is even greater for models compatible with AT&T and Sprint. About 99 percent of iPhone 5s AT&T SKUS are said to be in stock at Apple stores and 98 percent of Verizon models are available. It should be noted that AT&T and Verizon account for 75 percent of the US wireless market.

iPhone 5s in gold

Munster's survey is a weekly tracker of 60 US stores. The data shows that there has been significant improvement in iPhone 5s availability,  which stood at just 31 percent two weeks ago and a mere 10 percent in early October. The new iPhone is still said to be lagging behind the 95 percent of iPhone 5 availability during the same time last year, though. The tracker reportedly hasn’t taken into account the recently launched unlocked SIM-free models in the US, as those still show 1 to 2 weeks shipping time. Apple’s online stores have also not shared the in-store availability for these models yet.

In India, the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants of the iPhone 5s are priced at Rs 53,500, Rs 62,500 and Rs 71,500 respectively. While you can currently pick up the 5c at any premium reseller, the high-end 5s comes with a 2-4 week waiting period for now.