O2: iPhone is 'fastest-selling device'
updated 01:00 pm EST, Mon November 12, 2007
iPhones fly off UK shelves
(Updated with O2 sales claims) iPhones flew of store shelves in the UK this past weekend, with one estimate placing as many as 70,000 Apple-branded cellphones in the hands of customers. Apple, its exclusive UK-based carrier O2, and Carphone Warehouse stores extended their hours to accommodate high demand for the touchscreen-driven handsets, according to SundayMirror.co.uk. Upwards of 400,000 iPhones are expected to sell in the UK during the busy holiday shopping season, and Apple expects sales of 10 million devices globally in 2008.
UK-based wireless carrier O2 doesn't appear overly worried about customers unlocking their iPhones, either. The company is aware of the growing number of consumers who use various hacks to make their iPhones work amongst competing carriers, but says the sheer number of handsets being sold is encouraging.
"Demand has exceeded our expectations and we believe it will be the fastest selling mobile ever," a spokesperson for O2 said. "We've hundreds of thousands of devices to sell and we are extremely happy with how things have gone." British newspaper The Times cites O2 CEO Peter Erskine, who calls the iPhone the fastest-selling device the company has ever seen, and claims that sales are already in the "tens of thousands" since the Friday launch. Two-thirds of these are said to be for new O2 subscribers.
Apple's iPhone sold out in almost every retail outlet that carried the device shortly after it hit shelves in the U.S., dwarfing sales of other handsets in the same time span and helping the Cupertino-based company to report another record quarter.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2003
Hmmm
I'm in the UK and whilst I did buy an iPhone on Friday, most stores did not have iPhones flying off the shelves. This just isn't true at all.
Of course, 1200 stores in a small country is a lot, and whilst they weren't flying off shelves, even relatively small Carphone Warehouse stores (there are lots of various sizes) were selling 5 to 10 a day over the weekend. That's not too shabby. I'd estimate more like 20,000 sold over the weekend.
I think Apple has ensured stores have plenty of phones in stock - and because of the quick purchase system, people pay and walk away. No 20 minute credit check and upsell of various options. In terms of stock small stores have 20 whilst big stores, and Apple stores have 500. Big stores in bigger cities were selling plenty because you'd find 10 stores selling them in a square mile. Perhaps Apple should have underestimated as Nintendo have, and ended up with a peak of interest because of the lack of availability.
On the other hand, European mobile phones are generally free, have 12 months contract (as opposed to 18 months), and lower monthly tariffs. Europeans use calls and texts more than our American friends, who might well use data a little more, and Europeans expect 2nd generation 3G (ie. HSDPA), and probably a better camera. The iPhone has taken a beating in the reviews because of those two things, but those who do use it (rather than just comment without even seeing it) find the touches in the browser almost make up for it, the email client streets ahead, and the general user interface nothing but a pleasure to use. Compared to the clunky N series phones from Nokia, this really is the Jesus phone.