FaceTime biggest driver of iPhone 4 sales?
updated 11:50 am EDT, Mon June 28, 2010
Feature could spur secondary sales
The 1.7 million iPhone 4s sold over the weekend can be attributed in part to FaceTime, claims UBS' Maynard Um. The analyst explains that in a recent survey, 68 percent of iPhone 4 buyers said that FaceTime was the most attractive new feature of the hardware. It could drive extra sales in the future, Um argues, as actually making use of the technology requires both the caller and the receiver to have an iPhone 4.
UBS estimates anticipate sales of 8 million iPhones in the June quarter, a figure actually down from the 8.7 million sold in the March quarter. The number may be deceptive, however, as it is mostly based around the iPhone 3G and 3GS, given that the iPhone 4 was only launched on June 24th. Sales may in fact rise considerably going into the September quarter; Um notes that a forecast of 9.8 million units is likely conservative, given that 18 more countries should get the iPhone 4 in July, and by the end of September there should be 88 countries with the device.
Noting the intense demand so far, Um comments that Apple is likely selling every unit it can currently produce. Most stores have sold out, and online orders are now set to ship in three weeks. The weekend launch sales easily beat those of the iPhone 3GS, which sold a million in the same window.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Analysts, ha!
The 1.7 million iPhone 4s sold over the weekend can be attributed in part to FaceTime, claims UBS' Maynard Um.
As can, in part, the better screen, the newer design, the camera flash, the faster processor, the gyroscopes, etc, etc, etc. In fact, it could be argued that almost EVERY new feature of the iPhone can be attributed to some sales. h***, you could probably find someone who wants a new iPhone just so they can use one of the fancy new bumpers Apple sells.
The analyst explains that in a recent survey, 68 percent of iPhone 4 buyers said that FaceTime was the most attractive new feature of the hardware.
All they said was it was the "most attractive new feature. Not that it was the reason they were getting the new iPhone was BECAUSE of FaceTime. And how useful will it be since FaceTime only works over wi-fi. If you were always in location of a wi-fi network, esp. when you want to 'chat'.
It could drive extra sales in the future, Um argues, as actually making use of the technology requires both the caller and the receiver to have an iPhone 4.
Sorry, but I can't see too many people going "Wow! You mean I could video chat with you anywhere? And all I need to do is buy a $200 phone and pay $75+ a month for the privilege? Sign me up!" Again, esp. since it only works over wi-fi, it actually makes it less likely to be used.
UBS estimates anticipate sales of 8 million iPhones in the June quarter, a figure actually down from the 8.7 million sold in the March quarter. The number may be deceptive, however, as it is mostly based around the iPhone 3G and 3GS, given that the iPhone 4 was only launched on June 24th.
I guess it depends on your definition of 'deceptive'. If you mean "wow, iPhone sales are down!" then, yeah, it could be deceptive. If you mean "wow, they really sold more than that, but they're not showing up as sales!", I don't think so.
Sales may in fact rise considerably going into the September quarter;
No! Really! Man, I never would have guessed! h***, I'll go this one further and say "Sales WILL in fact rise....". Not really going out on a limb, is he?