Steve Jobs: Apple sold over 1 million new iPhones
It's hard to know which is more significant: Apple's (AAPL) announcement that it sold more than 1 million units of the new iPhone 3GS last weekend — easily exceeding analysts' estimates – or the fact that the news was accompanied by a quote from CEO Steve Jobs, his first since Apple's Jan. 21 quarterly earnings results.
"Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning," said Jobs. "With over 50,000 applications available from Apple's revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever."
The same press release announced that six million copies of iPhone 3.0 were downloaded in the first five days after its release last Wednesday.
Earlier Monday several analysts had released their estimates of the 3GS's weekend sales, including …
- Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster: 750,000 units (see here)
- Kaufman Bros. Shaw Wu: 600,000
- Oppenheimer's Yair Reiner: 400,000 – 500,000
Jobs, who usually gets the first quote in any Apple press release, had been noticeably absent in these releases since his medical leave began. His reappearance — or at least the reappearance of words attributed to him — two days after the Wall Street Journal reported that he was recovering from liver transplant surgery, may signal the first stage of his return to Apple, scheduled to occur before the end of June.
UPDATE: In an addendum to his Monday morning report to clients, Piper Jaffray's Munster notes that Apple's weekend sales not only exceeded both his initial prediction (500,000 units) and his adjusted estimate (750,000), but they matched last years sales — despite the fact that the new iPhone launched in just 8 countries vs. 21 countries last year.
It's crazy that the Iphone has maintained it's popularity as long as it has. That's relatively unheard of in the phone world. My daughter in law and her husband were blackberry users up until yesterday when they both switched to AT&T and Iphones. Personally I'm so unhappy with AT&T's service that I'll wait until Verizon makes a deal with Apple.
Sprint has gives no sales figures for the Pre (don't you think if they were stellar they would give clear numbers?).
Here is their press release:
Every report has said Sprint sold 50,000+ Pre's, Sprint never refuted that number. So, why are these people here saying they sold 100,000? Stop exaggerating the numbers to make yourself feel better!!
Apple opened the 3GS to I think 8 countries. If Sprint did they same maybe they would've sold 200,000 at most. Don't blame Apple, blame Sprint for only opening in the U.S. with no clear schedule to go international.
As for new iPhone buyers, I am one. I was on Sprint for 10 years and switched last Friday, my friend is a new iPhone buyer, one of my coworkers also. Several people in line with me were new iPhone buyers (leaving T-Mobile and Verizon). I would guess, a lot of the 1 mill are new buyers.
The short sellers are making a run on Apple today, betting that nervousness about Steve Jobs will push the stock down.
This would be a GREAT time to buy – and stick it to the blood-suckers!
I can't fathom paying for a data plan on top of a phone plan. That is what keeps me from a smart phone on any network. I also like the chaperone feature they offer to keep track of my daughter. Is there an app for that? probably but I still won't use AT&T after being slammed by them back in the land line days. I like verizon and am happy with what I have.
Look, the Pre is a good phone. If you don’t like Apple’s iPhone 3G S, then buy the Pre or something else instead. The truth is Apple doesn’t really care! Selling over 1 million 3G S devices (regardless of what countries the phones were sold in) over a debut weekend is an amazing achievement during a global recession. I’ve been purchasing Apple products for over a decade, I guess that makes me a “fan” too. So what! When a company makes ground breaking innovative products they [the company] tend to become successful and consumers respond positively. The iPhone has been the biggest technology game changer in the short history of consumer mobile phones. Most people who buy devices that mimic the iPhone’s revolutionary OS, touch screen, advanced features, and user friendly interface and then talk bad about the iPhone are just trying to make themselves feel better about their smart phone purchase. Which only shows the lack of confidence they have in their device. Some iPhone critics don't even own a smart phone and still offer up comments, how can I take you guys/gals seriously. For them it's more of a "wallet" issue then a "wisdom" issue. I liked my original iPhone and I like my iPhone 3G S even more. And guess what…I have a “life” [a great life], it just happens to include a great pocket computer called the iPhone 3G S.
@Scott
Yeah using your logic Apple should retool and start building fuel efficient cars instead. Not everyone can afford an expensive phone and rate plan, I understand. But your argument is flawed.
@N97 fans: The N97 is a flop. Read the unbiased reviews on this phone. It has a horrible, laggy interface. Please go ahead and buy one now. Nokia will ditch it themselves in a few months.
I purchased the iPhone in the weeks following the first version released in June 2007. i did not want to stand in line but I am a relentless early adopter. I skipped the 3G upgrade waiting for a substantial improvement. On Friday, I went to my local Apple store in the heart of silicon Valley at the Valley Fair Mall in santa Clara, Ca. I was attended to quickly since I had reserved the 32GB iPhone 3GS on-line for pickup.
The service at the store was excellent. I was up and running within 2 hours including restoring all of my iPhone data, music, photos and contacts. Apple has another massive hit on their hands!!!
so lemme get this str8…it took multiple countries for the iphone to sell another mill huh ??? so one phone that sells 100,000 in the US alone is nothing huh….i wonder what pre sales would have been if released in multiple countries….can u say 500,000 ??? but apple fans are too ignorant to see that sales accumlated to multiple countries….instead of what sprint sold just in the US alone…..it assumes me reading to stupid apple fanboy comments !
I bought my first iphone this weekend. I've been an ATT customer for about 8 years and could have had one earlier, but instead I waited. I haven't had many problems with ATT (except during the Cingular years). My biggest thought this weekend as I learned how to use it was Why in the World did I wait this long?
Seriously, those of you that think the iPhone is the greatest thing in the world must not have any life…so there are a lot of apps…who cares, unless you sit around starting at your phone all day and have no life. Who cares if you can download and watch tv shows on a piddly screen?
Don't get me wrong, I use my smartphone for texting, email, and as a GPS. After that I have a life!!!
To the person who suggested getting a Nokia N97: Good luck finding one. Please tell me what national brick and mortar stores in America actually carry an Nokia N97. Just as with all the other Nokia "N90" series phones, AT&T and T-Mobile have no plans to carry this GSM phone, so it won't be subsidized. That means purchasing it online at full price for at least $600 to $700 (although it is unlocked). That shocking price means it will never have mainstream acceptance. Online reviews state the predictable: the Nokia N97's unresponsive resistive touchscreen pales in comparison to the smooth scrolling slickness of capacitive touchscreens on the iPhone, T-Mobile G1, Palm Pre, and BB Storm.
TO ALL THE APPLE HATERS…WHY IF U HATE SO MUCH APPLE YOU BUY SMARTPHONE PRODUCTS THAT ARE TRYING TO IMITATE AND "STEAL" APPLE IDEAS!!!!!
How many of this number ALREADY had an iPhone of some sort? This is a non factor if it’s just exsisting users as it does nothing to grow the market share. Break out all the areas outside of the US and what is THAT number?
I’m thinking 300,000 stateside and of that 50-100,000 were to new subs
N97 supports all what Iphone supports. in addition to that..it is a multitasking phone..we can browse while listening to music, we can twit while on a call..we can log onto skype as well as stay connected to AT&T netwrok..send email while we listen to music.. I doubt Iphone supports multitasking..
listen up apple fan boys…..the Pre sold 100,000 first weekend….not 50,000…..and yes 3G and 3Gs sold a mill……BUT lets not forget it sold in multiple countries…and the Pre was just in the US…..love to see APPLES numbers if it was just US only…..to shut u iphone idiots up !!!
ex ped: Source on that 100,000 number?
To Scott Phoenix AZ,
When you said "What a waste of money. No wonder this country is in the financial trouble," you must not have remember that Bush asked you to go shopping in order to repair the economy that his unwarranted invasion and occupation of Iraq was damaging. If you were a Bush supporter and/or want to help Obama to fix Bush's bad economy, you should shop, (Obama also asked you to shop) and no better shopping can be done than for an iPhone. What a fabulous product. Buy two, three, or more. You might consider bying an iMac or a PowerBook too.
You can thank AT&T for costing Apple AT LEAST 100,000 fewer sales.
If AT&T would have let all customers who bought the 3G iPhone last year upgrade to 3GS at the subsidized price, the sales count would have been significantly higher.
Of the 4 people in my family ready to buy new 3GS this weekend, only two of us upgraded because the other two were not eligible for the fully subsidy price.
Funny how after the Pre's first weekend, some were here saying they ONLY sold 50k, because of the economy!? Well, Apple basically told those people to STFU and acknowledge the Pre is nice, but no iPhone. Where are those Pre defendeers now?
Add in sales for the $99 3G, it is definitely higher, in the AT&T store I saw some buying the 3G. Genius to offer a $99 phone, a lot of people can't afford or just don't want to pay for the 3G-S, the 3G will definitely increase their buyers/users.
Pre is good competition, competition is ALWAYS good, but the Pre will never match iPhone. Often sales are like movie and CD sales, the sales during the first weekend are the best then decline over time. Sometimes you get a slow burner that grows slowly, but that's rare. So, the Pre sales will likely decline over time, Sprint can only hope sales do not collapse and they can keep selling to a niche market. Pre sales will increase when it goes to Verizon, but by then you never know – the iPhone may also be on Verizon, again squashing Sprint's dreams.
Last Friday I purchased my first iPhone and like it a lot, glad they eventually released a 32gb model and 3.0 is well done. As a former 10 year Sprint customer, I can tell you they were not happy I switched. The Customer Service rep kept asking "Why?" I needed my account number and told me they "…have a large array of great phones." Sorry Sprint, but to me the Pre can't come close to the iPhone.
I am curious to see how the new T-Mobile Android 'MyTouch' phone sells in August, a very late start for T-Mobile/Google after many would have already bought a Pre or iPhone.
As a Rockland County Lawyer I live and die by my iphone.. It is completely critical to my survival as a lawyer in able to stay in touch with my clients.
What's left to say the iphone is a class above the rest. The people have spoken. Just buy an iPhone, you will be happier if you did.
PEW?? (What a dolt typist – that's me). I meant PED! Although, perhaps you figured that out.
ex ped: You talking to me? Was this about the Omnia? That wasn't I who brought it up.
ok you are right. What should we build? An efficent car that you can afford on a $25k year salary, solar technology that is cheap? I guess I'm not that important. My 19.99 cell phone seems to work fine getting calls and emails. I don't twitter or text and spend my work day in the office working instead of downloading apps. Its still a huge waste of time and money. Get a life. Go on vacation without your cell phone. Go for a run without an iphone. You aren't that important either.
Dan in NY – They're not fools if they pay $300 for an iPhone 3G, WITH NO CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS. I bought an EDGE iPhone on eBay, unlocked it, and am using it as a pre-paid phone on another carrier. I'd do the same with a 3G if my carrier's 3G network were band compatible with AT&T's. Since it would just drop into EDGE mode anyway, I'll keep what I have: a fantastic pre-paid phone, iPod, gaming platform, and mobile WiFi office device.
Definition of a troll: Someone who posts for the sole purpose of distraction.
How to get rid of trolls: Ignore them.
Note to those who still don't understand the nature of the paradigm shift:
The iPhone and its cousin the iPod Touch are something brand new. They're POCKET COMPUTERS. As such they're far more than "just another cell phone" or "just another music player" – they represent the cutting edge of the next big evolution in information technology.
Nate, he said 50,000 apps.
"The App Store for Windows Mobile® is here. Browse and download over 2,500 apps & games right from your Windows Mobile® device. Plus, download hundreds of free apps without spending a dime. The App Store supports over 950 Windows Mobile® devices, from the Samsung Omnia i900 to the HTC Touch Diamond."
PEW – No offense…An Omnia???
Never heard of it, never seen an ad for it. Not saying anything bad about it, but have't heard of it being any sort of rave under the radar sensation either. It's not even in your "Topics" list on the right. What gives?
Of course, Apple "sells" iPhones when the leave the loading dock headed for the carriers warehouse. How many of those phones were actually sold? You know, to real live people who paid for them?
ex ped: This is what Munster has to say about that:
Thoughts On Sell-In vs. Sell-Through. The one million units sold in
the first weekend are technically one million units sold into the
channel, but closely approximates sell-through. In other words, the
one million units sold into the channel mirrors the sell-through
number. Note: Apple recognizes revenue on sell-through in its own
retail stores.
Hey Nate..for ur question.."does your Nokia, Palm, RIm or Google phone offer you all that AFTER you are done with it as a phone?
"
Nokia has all that what u mentioned.. but u know what.. it can also provide simultaneous support along with skype..check with ur Iphone.. does it support simultaneously..FYI..Symbian60(s60) is a multithreaded OS
I'm sure the iPhone is great. Me, I have a prepaid Virgin. If I don't go over my monthly minutes it costs me @$7/mo. with no contract. No, it doesn't do gps, I have on in my car. But it does take nice pics and can text!
Scott – seriously? That's your complaint? The country is in financial trouble because too many people bought an iPhone? That's pathetically, ridiculously off-base, and you're obviously here to do nothing but complain.
There is ONE HUGE ADVANTAGE to an iPhone. After you are through with it – switch on “airplane mode” and it functions as a “free” iTouch. That’s right. It’s a touch screen video ipod that plays movies, music, buys & rents TV shows PLUS can run 50,000 apps including SKYPE to use as phone when you are in wifi coverage … does your Nokia, Palm, RIm or Google phone offer you all that AFTER you are done with it as a phone?
——————————-
I have an Omnia, and yes it does all of what you listed plus more.
Want to know what they do with your broken/worn out phone? Give you a refurb (if under warranty, which is recycled from someone else's broken/worn out phone) I had 3 in one week! I like the functions of iPhone, but find support is nearly nil. After spending 15 hours with Apple in one week, Blackberry is looking better by the minute. Try to contact telephone support, you can do as I did wait 50 minutes and give up, go to a store, they don't help you either. I finally have another refurb working now, but it's taken 15 man hours filled with stress. Overall, I love iPhone functions, hate the support/service!
google phone also has airplane mode, so does every android phone, and im sure most smartphones.
the thing about the iphone, even when it turns into an itouch, its still a crappy apple.
Please do tell me what a "real tool" is Scott. I use my iPhone for my work's exchange email, checking my flight status and calendars.
Not everyone uses a shovel and a plough…
What a ridiculous, thoughtless comment!
"I sold my 3G on eBay for $300 which subsidized my 3G S very nicely."
I seen several people say this. Who are the fools buying used phones on eBay for the price of a new — and much better — iPhone??
What a waste of money. No wonder this country is in the financial trouble it is. did you ever consider that investing all this money in a company that makes a real tool instead of a grown up toy might help us out of this horrible mess.
" I’d be a lot more excited to see a quote from Steve Jobs saying he was
donating just a sliver of his great wealth to pancreatic-cancer research"
@MK,
Indeed, Steve Jobs does lots of donations but is very quiet about it.
I heard he's the type of person who doesn't like the publicity around it.
I don't understand why people keep switching phones. Don't they know that when they do that they also have to go to a new plan? This is going to cost them more money.
It just blows my mind.
There is ONE HUGE ADVANTAGE to an iPhone. After you are through with it – switch on "airplane mode" and it functions as a "free" iTouch. That's right. It's a touch screen video ipod that plays movies, music, buys & rents TV shows PLUS can run 50,000 apps including SKYPE to use as phone when you are in wifi coverage … does your Nokia, Palm, RIm or Google phone offer you all that AFTER you are done with it as a phone?
You wonder how many of these 1M phones were bought just to be resold on ebay and other auction sites. I'm amazed so many people are willing to pay cancelation fees, higher monthly charges just to make a phone call on a new iphone. Didn't you just loose a few hundred dollars selling your old phone you bought a few months ago?
Purposefully inaccurate or inaccurate analysts either moderate Apple's stock rise or attempt to stop it, giving their friends time to by them at the last minute before true sell figures are released, allowing their friends to sell them at profit.
Apple will hit 200 this year. For those who are selling, thanks for the oppportunity to add to my portfolio!
Frankly, I'd be a lot more excited to see a quote from Steve Jobs saying he was donating just a sliver of his great wealth to pancreatic-cancer research, which is way underfunded on a per death basis. Or just lending his legendary salesmanship to boosting funding for cancer research.
Jo: I had an iPhone 3G so I paid the $399 upgrade price for the 3G S. As a result, my 1-year-old contract was wiped out and I now have a new 2-year contract.
I sold my 3G on eBay for $300 which subsidized my 3G S very nicely.
Sarah (NYC): I don't understand the people who have so many call problems. I too live in NYC and have nothing to complain about re:AT&T service in NYC, or anywhere else for that matter.
Forgive my ignorance, but all the people who have bought new iPhones and new contracts, are you keeping your former contracts intact (paying twice) or choosing to pay the penalty for opting out of the previous phone's contract?
This from someone who has a Tracfone and even then doesn't use up all the minutes afforded me each time I recharge my account every two months.
Also, what do you do with the phones that are now obsolete?
Curiously inquiring
And how many of those people will, like I, switch from AT&T service as soon as humanly possible. I have lost more calls in the four months I've had an iPhone than I did in ten years with Verizon. And I live in NYC.
You can use the iPhone with hearing aids. I do. I have blue tooth compatable hearing aids and the iPhone works great with them. Look up Oticon hearing aids…. there are others out there as well.
All iPhone sales brisk. iPhone 3G S sales expectations exceeded by a good margin. Time for investors to start dumping Apple shares. It's already begun in typical fashion. Time for Steve Jobs new liver to take over the spotlight.
I would get an iphone if only it were truly compatible for hearing aid users. They blew it for that segment of the market. Great phone though. Jealous of those that can use one.
"the new iPhone launched in just 8 countries vs. 21 countries last year."
It would have only been better if it had been launched in more countries.
Also interesting: The sales numbers dont' include the $99 iPhone 3G.
Tell me, again: how many Pres did Palm & Sprint sell its first weekend?
ex ped: I've seen an estimate of 50,000 over two days.
Love the photo of the jewish dude with the camera. Quote: "Always be suspicious of any religion that promotes the use of funny hats."
How about a real article where you include some research and insight regarding what this might mean about the overall economy?
Welcome back Steve Jobs! This past Saturday I could no longer resist the new iPhone, which finally has the specs I've deemed necessary to shell out a substantial amount of money for the amazing little computer and the bank-account-reducing monthly service fees to AT&T.
Learning how to use the iPhone 3GS is sheer joy. This marvel imparts total satisfaction. The how-tos on Apple's web site are excellent. There is an extensive support infrastructure to help any beginner quickly get up to speed. The tactile pleasure of controlling everything via intuitive fingertip is natural and engaging.
This pocket computer is fast, responsive, works very well. Quick download and thorough sync from my computer, all bookmarks, contacts, calendar, all data, all organization, everything perfectly in place and ready to operate seamlessly.
This household bought 2 iPhone 3GS 32G Black plus accessories, AppleCare for 2 years, MobileMe for 2 years, an awesome Bose Sounddock for playing a large music collection to reverberate through the walls and rafters, plus a MacBoxSet to upgrade our iBook to the latest greatest OS Leopard, iWorks09 iLife09 (lots of great $$$ savings when buying all at same time).
Now enjoying the blissful marriage of state-of-the-art unparalleled software paired with sleek elegant fast hardware to give the ultimate useful geek pleasure productivity experience. Nirvana!
And my partner's iPhone synced perfectly with her PC and all MS Exchange business data, replacing 2 phones, iPod, Palm PDA, laptop, and TomTom. Her new iPhone does it all, and way better.
How do analysts keep their jobs? Seriously. They are ALWAYS so far off in predicting Apple numbers, it's ridiculous. And they still don't have a clue as to how much the deferred earnings reporting of iPhone sales is adding to Apple coffers. Interestingly, analysts constantly release reports with "new" information about why they are revising their expectations for Apple. Thing is, the "new" information is something the rest of us knew months ago. When I go into a mall that's basically empty during a weekday morning, and see an Apple store that's filled with people, I learn more about this company in a few seconds than an analyst does in months. They should try this sometime.
Do you all know that iPhones can be unlocked for use on any carrier?