Analyst: Apple on track to sell 45 million iPhones next year

For Apple to sell 45 million iPhones next year, it would have to quadruple its sales from 2008.

Yes, that's more than a bit optimistic. The analyst who originally made that sales prediction for Apple back before the phone was even launched is at it again, though, on Monday explaining how he thinks it could happen.

(Credit: Apple)

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster insists--despite consensus that his prediction is entirely overeager--that Apple will do so by introducing a 3G version of the iPhone in the second or third quarter of this year, as well as a lower-price version of the device in the range of $200 to $300 by the beginning of next year.

Munster also predicts that making the iPhone available in new countries will double the market for the device this year and next, and that the addition of new games and features like remote purchases will add up to 45 million.

Sure, the iPhone is a popular device, but quadrupling sales? Digest this prediction with the usual grain of salt.