Rumor: Production of two-year-old iPhone 3GS to reach 2M in Dec. quarter
Taiwan-based DigiTimes cited industry sources on Friday as providing the numbers. The report also noted that production of the CDMA iPhone 4 is expected to come in at between 800,000 to one million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 500,000-600,000 units next quarter.
The iPhone 3GS became in October the first of Apple's handsets to be offered free with contract in the U.S., though wireless carrier partner AT&T quietly raised the price to $0.99 a month later.
Apple executives have indicated that they view the free model iPhone 3GS as a "good dynamic" for the iPhone family because it introduces the company's products "to a wider audience of customers."
Even after two years on the market, the iPhone 3GS remained the second-best-selling smartphone in the U.S. last quarter behind only its successor, the iPhone 4, according to data from the NPD Group. Retail checks have also suggested continued strong demand for the iPhone 3GS.
The rumored two million iPhone 3GS units will play a small part in helping Apple reach its projection of an all-time sales record for iPhone units this quarter. The company's results for the September quarter disappointed some analysts largely because the number of iPhone buyers holding out for the iPhone 4S proved bigger than expected.
The Cupertino, Calif., company believes pent up demand for the iPhone 4S, coupled with continued sales of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, will drive record revenues of $37 billion in the December quarter. Multiple analysts expect Apple to sell between 28 to 30 million iPhone units during the period, though one analysis based on U.S. carrier estimates suggests the company could ship as many as 42 million handsets.
57 Comments
I guess as long as the 3GS is in demand they will still offer it. But maybe when the iPhone 5 comes out they will discontinue the 3GS and offer the iPhone 4 for free or 99 cents.
On the other hand the iPhone 3GS was 59 dollars before the 4s came out so maybe the iPhone 4 will be 59 dollars when the iPhone 5 comes out. We will have to wait and see.
I guess as long as the 3GS is in demand they will still offer it. But maybe when the iPhone 5 comes out they will discontinue the 3GS and offer the iPhone 4 for free or 99 cents.
On the other hand the iPhone 3GS was 59 dollars before the 4s came out so maybe the iPhone 4 will be 59 dollars when the iPhone 5 comes out. We will have to wait and see.
With iphone 4 not being able to do SIRI why would anyone want one even if its free
Asian supply chain sources claim OEM production of the iPhone 3GS remains steady with expected volume of two million units in the current quarter and 1.4-1.6 million units in the first quarter of calendar 2012.
My guess is that the FreeGS will be one of the best selling phones of all time.
With iphone 4 not being able to do SIRI why would anyone want one even if its free
Because there will always be those who don't want to or can't spend the extra dollars for the better phone.
With iphone 4 not being able to do SIRI why would anyone want one even if its free
Because the glass is 90% full, not 10% empty.