Goldman: iPhone likely to succeed
updated 12:50 pm EST, Mon February 26, 2007
Goldman on iPhone
Apple's iPhone will likely see positive acceptance when the device ships in June, according to research firm Goldman Sachs. Goldman points to a recent handset branding survey that was conducted in China, India, the U.K. and the U.S. as evidence that Apple's new gadget might yield positive results for the Cupertino-based company. Despite the fact that the survey took place before iPhone was debuted at Macworld in January, the number of potential iPhone buyers is equivalent to 75 percent of the installed base of current iPod owners, according to SeekingAlpha. Just under one-half of the potential buyers come from respondents who have never owned an iPod, and 71 percent of respondents in the U.S. indicated interest in a potential Apple cellular handset.
Apple ranked as the 4th most desired multimedia handset brand in the U.S. even before the iPhone was ever announced, and 30 percent of U.K. respondents alongside 15 percent of U.S. participants suggested that they would switch carriers in order to get the handset they want.
Goldman Sachs suspects the iPhone will start Apple's next big growth phase and make it a core holding, suggesting that investors purchase Apple shares on dips prior to the iPhone's launch in June.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
Analysts!!
It's interesting how the "analysts" keep giving their opinion on the iPhone. A week ago, one of them said that it would fail--that the premium price would impede customers from buying it. That's also what they say about the Mac. The last time I checked, the Mac (despite recent releases) is still more expensive than a common Wintel PC yet, Macs still continue to sell more each quarter than the one previous. The $1499+ price that I paid for my black MacBook could have bought at least 4 entry level Dell PCs. Instead, I wanted the best. I paid a premium price and I haven't regretted it.