Huge Q4 for iPhone?

Apple may have dramatically exceeded predictions for iPhone sales during its fourth financial quarter, writes Bullish Cross. The site quotes an unofficial tracking of IMEI numbers for the iPhone 3G, which it says suggests that some 7 to 7.5 million phones were shipped in the quarter. In particular, it is noted that Apple is already in the eight iteration of the TAC code found within each IMEI ID, each modification of it indicating 1 million phones.

Although IMEI numbers can only strictly indicate the amount of iPhones produced, rather than sold, the Cross estimate may in fact be pessimistic, as it assumes that 1.5 million phones were unsold -- whether defective, sitting in stock or in use as demonstration models.

If accurate the figure would easily put Apple over its sales target for the year, 10 million, and beat out predictions from industry analysts. Consensus views have generally forecast 4 million phones for Q4, while Piper Jaffray has suggested as much as 5 million. A definite figure may only become available later this month, when Apple formally announces its Q4 results.

by MacNN Staff