Couldn't buy an iPhone SE the other day
So I decided to switch from AT&T to Verizon and to get an iPhone SE when doing so. The Verizon website informed me it would be over a month before they could ship me an iPhone SE so no, I didn't submit that web order.
I'd say they are in demand. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks phablets are not phantastic.
As for software updates I know two people who have had their Oppos replaced due to what may have been hardware or software issues.
Only the iPhone and the Google Nexus line (as far as I'm aware) offer decent software updates and avoid the crapware add ons like TouchWiz.