UK iPhone sales fall below targets
updated 04:50 pm EST, Mon January 21, 2008
UK iPhone sales disappoint
The iPhone did not sell as well as anticipated during its first few months in the UK, according to the Financial Times. Anonymous sources for the newspaper claim that although O2 publicly expected to sell 200,000 iPhones within two months following the November 9th UK launch, that number actually came out to around 190,000. The figures may be especially disappointing due to predictions by Gartner, a well-known research firm, which once argued that sales could be as high as 350,000 to 400,000.
The FT sources further claim that although sales were healthy leading into the Christmas season, they gradually began to fall. Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi defends her company's estimates, saying that price proved to be more of an obstacle than expected. The iPhone is currently on sale in the UK for £269 ($523); not only is this proportionately more expensive than a US iPhone, but buyers must technically subscribe to an 18-month contract costing at least £35 per month, for a total price of £899 ($1,748). Milanesi suggests that in order to keep up interest before a second iPhone arrives, Apple may need to instigate a price cut.
Unlike AT&T in the United States, O2 executives have long been resistant to sharing figures on iPhone sales. In response to FT's news, the company will still only say that it is "delighted with the response to the iPhone, which has seen unprecedented levels of customer satisfaction."
umm - met expectations
01/21, 05:20pm reply
Well, 190,000 vs 200,000 is a 5% shortfall, hardly not meeting expectations. Gartners projections, like others in the US at launch, simply are unrealistic and seems designed to generate negative press. 200,000 in 2 months in the UK is great.
dscottbuch
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
What's the comparison
01/21, 05:41pm reply
Without a comparison these figures are meaningless. ie how many phones did Nokia or Sony sell in the same period?
I do think though, that the pricing on the iPhone is just not compatible with other UK phone offers. If you're paying GBP:35.00 you'd be expecting a better airtime deal and a (decent) free phone.
Clive
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
^^^^^^^^^^
01/21, 06:00pm reply
i love the iphone but you cant expect the same sort of sales as us as it all costs a bit more here in the uk. but if they make a iphone nano and let it be available for any network and u can just buy it like a normal mobile that would fly of the shelves for sure. the end of the day different market and needs.
dom2cool
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2006
unlimited data
01/21, 06:15pm reply
GBP:35 has unlimited data plan as far as I remember. Apple should unlock the darn thang without charging more dineros.
bloggerblog
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Newsflash...
01/21, 08:17pm reply
Apple is bilking its European customers in some cases to almost double the price. This isn't news and hasn't been for a long time. At least Europeans are wising up to Apple (not to mention Dell) and are starting to say "no thanks!".
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
no 3G
01/21, 11:06pm reply
In Europe not having 3G is a pretty big deal. I know if I was in the UK I'd be waiting for the 3G model. I'm in Singapore, and I could get an jail-broken iPhone like some people I know, but I just wouldn't be happy without 3.5G data speeds so I'm waiting.
adept1
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 1999