iPhone shatters AT&T record, dwarfs RAZR [u]
updated 12:35 pm EDT, Tue July 3, 2007
iPhone breaks AT&T record
Apple over the weekend sold more than 700,000 iPhones to rocket past analyst predictions and shatter AT&T's record by selling more iPhones in three days than Motorola's RAZR did in its first month. Apple's supply of iPhones depleted at more than half of its retail stores less than a week after the cellular handset hit shelves at 6:00 p.m. ET last Friday night. Buyers cleared out both Apple and AT&T stores in 10 states, with 95 of 164 stores selling out on Monday night, according to Bloomberg. Apple stores located in Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington state sold their entire stock of iPhones yesterday, and AT&T sold its entire stock at almost all of its 1,800 stores. [updated]
The near nationwide sellout came after AT&T reported over one million inquiries about the iPhone via its website shortly after the device debuted at Macworld 2007 in January. Shortly afterward, AT&T's CEO predicted "the largest commercial product launch in the history of electronics."
Research firm American Technology Research yesterday predicted that the iPhone would likely become the company's fastest selling product in history after reviewing initial sales numbers, and even speculated that the iPhone could rank among the fastest selling consumer electronics.
Dashing iPhone doubts
Conversely, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in mid-January laughed at Apple's iPhone, saying that the device isn't very useful for business customers because it doesn't have a keyboard. Ballmer also balked at the iPhone's high price, calling it the most expensive phone in the world.
After pointing to Microsoft's software on "millions and millions" of phones alongside Apple's "zero" in the market place, Ballmer hinted that Apple's most expensive phone might not fare well as the company's first cellphone offering.
Replay Ballmer
07/03, 12:51pm reply
Now is when the media should be replaying the Ballmer interview where he laughs at Apple's pricing and says the iPhone will never sell.
SierraDragon
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2004
Just a start
07/03, 01:08pm reply
After using my iPhone and showing it to co-workers and friends, many said they did not realize it did all it does. The word-of-mouth campaign will start (with 700,000 people showing off their iPhones). This is the same thing that happened with the iPod.
Remember Apple only launched in the USA and has another 5.7 billion customers they have not reached,
ClevelandAdv
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2004
Moved Up Two Weeks
07/03, 01:17pm reply
My Apple Store ship date moved up to 06 June from an initial 2 to 4 weeks.
Canceled because I found them at a back woods AT&T in Alabama one day earlier.
starwarrior
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
Sorry Again
07/03, 01:23pm reply
06 July. I get so excited.
starwarrior
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
But...
07/03, 01:27pm reply
Instead, CNN runs on their front page "Apple activation woes continue". Like it's an ongoing nightmare for the masses. Less than 1% is that bad. Besides doesn't ATT handle the activation?
Tralthamidor
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
06 July
07/03, 01:31pm reply
07 July would probably be even more exciting.... :)
Tralthamidor
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Funny
07/03, 01:38pm reply
Ballmer is one of the funniest and best comedians in the game today.
hassanpr
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2004
re:activation woes contin
07/03, 01:45pm reply
Not to mention who WOULDN'T have trouble with activating over 700,000 phones in less than 72 hours?!?
...come on November (VZW contract end), come on...
mgpalma
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
"might not fair well"
07/03, 01:55pm reply
Uh, shouldn't that be "might not FARE well"? And _my_ grades always sucked in English!
moldyapples
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
That's a lot of iPhones
07/03, 01:57pm reply
Are these numbers confirmed in any way? We're still talking estimates and hyperbole, so I'm waiting for Apple to make an announcement.
Anyone else think Apple will hold out from commenting on sales until they've hit one million?
shinykaro
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007