Jobs: Over 1 million new iPhones sold

Apple's customers have wasted no time scooping up its latest smartphone and operating system update.

More than 1 million iPhone 3G S smartphones have sold in the three days since the new model hit the stores Friday, Apple announced Monday. In addition, 6 million people have downloaded the new iPhone OS 3.0 update in the five days since its release.

iPhone 3G S

(Credit: Apple)

The sales figure even prompted Apple CEO Steve Jobs to make his first public comment since going on medical leave early this year.

"Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning," Jobs said in a statement. "With over 50,000 applications available from Apple's revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever."

The 1 million mark outpaces the estimate of at least one analyst, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, who predicted that 500,000 3G S phones would sell in the first weekend. The original iPhone sold about 270,000 units over its first weekend in June 2007, while the iPhone 3G sold around 1 million when it launched in July 2008. (And while Apple sold the iPhone 3G in 21 countries in its first day last year, the 3G S was available in only eight countries at launch.)

The 3.0 update for the iPhone and iPod Touch, which hit the iTunes store on Wednesday, has also found a wide audience among users who were awaiting new features, including copy and paste, landscape mode support for more applications, and the Spotlight search tool.

Despite the strong first-weekend sales, Apple is facing new competition in a crowded smartphone market. Palm recently debuted its new Pre, though it sold somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 units in its first two days. And Research In Motion will unveil its new BlackBerry Tour later this summer.

Apple watchers are also awaiting the return of Jobs. Recent reports say the Apple CEO received a liver transplant two months ago.

Jobs is expected to return to Apple later this month but initially may just take on a part-time role.

[sciontcya]

Come on Apple haters - where's the trolls?
Can't wait to hear today's idiots.

[agt7648]

Aren't you, essentially, trolling? You have nothing to add, nor have any REAL comment on the article. What, exactly, was the point of your comment? Instead of insulting the ones who just don't like Apple why not comment with something worth reading.

On topic: 'Grats Apple. Your progress is commendable, while I see no reason to drop that much money on minor upgrades, I applaud those of you that do. I've been delegating on an iPhone for some time now, but I can't bring myself to jump to AT&T's network based on the fact that, with the way I text, my bill would be $90 a month, and it isn't worth that much to me, nor is the network itself based on the amount of complaints they receive.

Keep up the good work on the phone, perhaps when they open up to a new carrier, I'll jump ship and purchase one. :)

[slapppy]

Awesome!!! Also the new 3G S was lunched in only 8 countries compared to last years 21, and still sold just as much!!!

[kelmon]

@sciontcya

Shutup

[djames42]

@agt7648

Not sure how texting would cost you $90 - unlimited texts run $20. Now if you are MMSing, that's another story; we're still waiting to see how much that will cost...

[Mark_Anderson]

@kelmon

Win. Although I'm a Mac user people like sciontcya embarrass me.

On another note, great figures but there's a hint of spin here - these figures include over a week's pre-orders and although it's only 8 countries they do account for about 80% of iPhone sales.

[Mr. Dee]

sciontcya not a great way to start the week with everybody including people in the Mac Community disowning you. LOL!

[sciontcya]

Not at all bothered.
Every CNET story regarding Apple is filled with the same dopes featured in the new MS commercials buying cheap laptops.
Oh wait, they didn't even buy the cheap laptops, MS did!
As for being "disowned" I think not.

[Seaspray0]

The sales figures look promissing. I would be interested in what the breakdown is for store and pre-order. Comparing the first week of sales against the first 2 days of sales for the pre... that's harder to get a true picture. Perhaps the first month's sales for both will give a clearer picture. I have no bias towards either phone, I'd just like to see people get what they want.

btw... appleproleo, your comment has been reported as offensive.

[sciontcya]

@ AppleProLeo,

You knew it would be funny when they started reporting the "short lines" last week.
It just couldn't be a better process, more stock, online pre-orders :)
Apple again comes through, and maybe after a few more years of success, the crowds here will react to Apple with some respect.

I see the new Zune, and while I have to say the previous iterations have been laughable, this one looks good.
I really wish the Apple haters would just grow up.
MS is in a slump. I hope for the sake of competition and jobs (as in workers, not Steve) that they do well.
We all benefit if they do...

[matthewrmccarthy]

@djames42

FYI

The Rogers/Fido network in Canada has informed us that MMS won't be counted as a text, but as data use. If you send text then that will be considered a text message. This works out pretty good for us since I have a 6GB plan and only use half of that. Cross your fingers that AT&T will follow suit. Then again, it's gonna cost me $599CDN to get a 3G S as an upgrade so I not all things filter across.

[seven7dust]

great ! now if they only open it to customers on other networks
they would have sold that much in a day !

[Perry_Clease]

It isn't that easy, deals have to be worked out, and does not AT&T have an exclusive contract.

[Seaspray0]

at&t isn't the largest of the carriers, but neither are there tons of other carriers. I think it would be close but very possible.

[Seaspray0]

Thought about it some more and I actually think you would be right, seven7dust.

1. at&t was fairly restrictive on the upgrade (meaning current iphone users will stay with the 2.0 until end of contract).

2. The at&t userbase has reached equalibrium with iphone and non-iphone users (the ratio has stabilized). There is no stabilized ratio with the other carriers. Sales would be higher with other carriers until that ratio is reached.

It would still make an interesting bet. I'm sure Las Vegas is dissapointed it didn't happen.

[topgunb2]

they are lying!

[ckh1272]

"by topgunb2 June 23, 2009 1:28 AM PDT
they are lying!"

No!! You are!

[NeverFade]

I can say that I am one of those million, as I have bought my first iPhone.

I can truly say that it is a marvel! Absolutely amazing...

[CrashPad63]

Pathetic... dont you fanbois get it? Just like P T Barnum always said"There's a sucker born ever minute.!!"" LMFAO
A fool and his monsy are soon parted fits...

[kelmon]

"fanbois" is not a word.

[The_happy_switcher]

"fool and his monsy" A poster with poor grammar and spelling skills are soon ignored.

[Random_Walk]

What's a Monsy and why would it part fits?

[lkrupp]

Ever notice how Windows trolls can't seem to figure out how to turn on their spell checkers?

[tech_crazy]

@The_happy_switcher ,
"fool and his monsy" A poster with poor grammar and spelling skills are soon ignored.

The grammar and spelling skills qualify the poster, who is singular. Hence it should have been
"A poster with poor grammar and spelling skills is soon ignored."

[The_happy_switcher]

Wrong. Poster and grammar skills ARE ignored. Adding preposition doesn't change that fact.

[Seaspray0]

Crashpad, it may not be the phone for you, so don't buy one. But why are you so upset that other people are buying one? They are not you, and have different tastes/wants/needs. Don't worry about what other people do since it has no effect on your life. If you want respect, you have to show some.

[jumpjetta]

Agreeing with poster above. Crashpad, are you so insecure about your place in the scheme of things you have to mock people who make a choice for something that is clearly not your choice?

[studiodave56]

Crashpad63, You are speaking about Windows users aren't you?

[baconstang]

He doesn't want an iPhone. He wants to reach puberty.

[Random_Walk]

Well - so much for all the news stories proclaiming about how the lines were shorter at the stores and etc... guess folks just got smarter and pre-ordered 'em for the most part.

[The_happy_switcher]

Also several Apple store employees told me they were much better organized than last year which helped the process go more smoothly.

[ikramerica--2008]

Yep, stores were prepared, the reservation system was more robust, and the pre-orders (not an option last year) cut down on the lines and waiting.

Much better job this year.

[CrashPad63]

Come on guys.... think for yourselves. This is the exact order placed by the RETAIL stores to Apple before launch. Apple counts them as sold, but the retail market has not sold.

[seven7dust]

it clearly states sold !

[itsmenyc]

CrashPad63, you are wrong, unlike Microsoft who uses "shipped" to inflate their numbers these numbers are actually "sold".

As you can see agt7648, sciontcya's comment was legitimate. He was just expressing what a lot of us think whenever there is good news for Apple.

[ralfthedog]

Most if not all of the retail stores sold out early the first day. Most people I know ordered their iPhone and had them delivered. Those that did not had the phone delivered to the store so it was sold before it was shipped.

I would not be surprised if this was the best iPhone launch yet. I think the numbers will do better long term when more 3GS only applications hit the market.

[SiliconValleyJoe]

CrashPad63, you need to listen to Apple's quarterly calls and understand SEC rules. There are legal implications in everything Apple say publicly and once they claim certain process that can impact investor values, they cannot change it without SEC getting upset.

In quarterly calls, Apple has explicitly said they count only actual units SOLD, not units shipped to distributors. There is no "stuffing the channels" here.

As for the pre-order process, it does not matter. If pre-order was not allowed, the people would have then lined up and got their hands on the phones anyway. So it is correct to say that in three days, they sold 1 million units because all units were shipped to arrive on the released date.

[CrashPad63]

Yeap suckers... Damn you guys are too easy..

[seven7dust]

crashpad you clearly got owned
now stop trolling, and go do more important things like Patch tuesday stuff

[DrtyDogg]

Acutally he is right and wrong. For SEC filings Apple has to count every unit that is "sold." In an Apple store that is units that have been purchased by end users, but carriers purchase iPhones from Apple, once that purchase is made it would count as sold to Apple, no matter if it is their warehouse or walking out of "their" store. As itsmenyc put it so eloquently. "unlike Microsoft who uses "shipped" to inflate their numbers these numbers are actually "sold"." Microsoft, Apple, Sony, Kellogs etc. all use the same system when dealing with retail shipments not so much for the reason he said, but because of the fact that it is the way it is done. Once the product is in the retailer's possesion it is sold. That is the end of the the companies reporting responsibility.

[jumpjetta]

Crashpad, are you so insecure about your place in the scheme of things you have to mock people who make a choice to buy something that is clearly not your choice?

[ckh1272]

CrashPad63--Wrong idiot! Now back under that rock you go.

[pentest]

That is what MS does, except they also count units being stored in warehouses as sold as well.

Go google xbox and channel stuffing.

[compboy89]

I hope the iphone switches to the verizon network because it is better than AT&T. AT&T is worest cell company in the world because of the signal drops and the so called best 3g network in the world.

[hermantf]

Verizon is clearly better by almost any standard. But, I don't think the iPhone will be part of that network anytime soon though, even when Apple's exclusive contract with AT&T ends. Why? Because Verizon is a CDMA network. The iPhone only operates on GSM networks. I hope I'm wrong, though.

[CA1900]

My experience with Verizon's actual network was good (with them for a long time), but their customer service was absolutely ATROCIOUS every time I needed it. AT&T's has been much better for me, and the call quality on my iPhone 3G has been very good. (I think the phone has a lot to do with that, because the AT&T Blackberry I use for work sound awful.)

Verizon's downfall is their insistence on crippling their phones, which is a big part of why Apple walked away from the deal in the first place. It'll be interesting to see if Verizon gives in this time, with a good enough deal for Apple to engineer a CDMA version of the phone.

[ywkhgqo]

at CA1900, it wasn't apple that walked away but verizon that walked away.

apple approached verizon first, but because apple did not want their phones sold in resellers like best buy verizon said well then f you.

and look what happened, apple has allowed their phones to be sold in places like best buy anyway.

[Synthmeister]

Apple will not go with Verizon until they have the same 4G network as AT&T and most of the rest of the world.

No way, Apple will make a "special" Verizon iPhone that would be a complete dead-end in 2 to 3 years.

[Seaspray0]

@synthmeister. How long do you normally own a phone? 3-4 years or less? If yes, then why would it matter if it's a dead end if you're replacing the phone anyway?

[viper396]

@Synthmeister. "complete dead-end in 2 to 3 years"...isn't that standard practice for many companies, including Apple? Do you really think these companies actually want you to endlessly use the exact same item year after year? Companies make most of their profits when new products sell. A product that expired or went obsolete after a couple years, thus enticing you to purchase a newer model, is actualy ideal from a business point of view.

[atish505]

Verizon is on CDMA. The world runs on GMS and GSM technologies (90% market share).
CDMA is dead. So do not expect iPhone on Verizon anytime.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobilemonday.net%2Fnews%2Fgsm-camp-gains-further-market-share&ei=HrhASpeEE5LuswP75-mMCQ&usg=AFQjCNHfO6pGQFiQ1nqovXQtw6_7Bu_iWA&sig2=EHdBxAsoOeRN2fYPdtghIg

[trickycoolj]

A Million sold... how many of those million actually got a device in their hands? I know I'm still waiting for my order to process from pre-launch.

Thanks ATT for taking my money and helping pad the numbers.

[mrcockrell]

um... sold is sold

couting people who already paid but are waiting for their phone to arrive is in no way padding sales numbers...

hope you get it soon ;)

[sargess25]

welcome back Steve

[CrashPad63]

That putz needs no welcome.

[jumpjetta]

Carshpad, you'd be fun to psychoanalyze... for about 6 seconds. Probably not much more behind your silly comments than pure envy or insecurity.

[ckh1272]

Don't try to reason with someone who only has time because middle school is out for the summer. It just draws unwanted attention to the foolish like CrashPad63. Now go outside and get some fresh air CrashPad63 and hopefully you'll come back to reality (I doubt it though).

[baconstang]

He's happy commenting here because he get a response. Probably not so much at his junior high school.

[ckh1272]

"by baconstang June 22, 2009 2:55 PM PDT
He's happy commenting here because he get a response. Probably not so much at his junior high school."

You are so right. We really should stop feeding this idiot!

[QuetzalcoatlUSA]

Please people: Apple will never go with Verizon. 1) they rejected the first iPhone, 2) the rest of the world uses a different 3G network, and Apple wants to sell this phone all over the world 3) Verizon is long-known for locking down devices and nickel and diming their customers for features that should be free. Say what you will about the iPhone SDK, App Store approval process, and ATT pricing, the iPhone would basically be half of what it is today if they made a Verizon-compatible version. Why bother?

[mrcockrell]

Verizon has more customers than any other network in the US, not to mention the other CDMA wireless companies in mexico and canada...

so accorsing to your own words "Apple wants to sell this phone all over the world"

why in the hell would Apple not wasnt to work with Verizon or make the iPhone CDMA compatable??

i think eventually the iPhone will work on GSM and CDMA networks just like other Verizon world phones

if you think about what you said AT&T made exceptions the way they do business just to have the iPhone i dont know why Verizon wouldnt do the same (now) i know they wouldint at first wich im sure they realize was a mistake

[dougmcnerd]

I tend to agree. Verizon won't get a chance to sell the iPhone until they upgrade their network to the newest industry standard 4G. Plus, the economies of scale would be significantly reduced if they were to produce a special model for just a single US carrier. Verizon screwed up years ago when they chose a non-standard technology.

[viper396]

Please, you can easily substitute Apple for Verizon and have said "Apple is long-known for locking down devices and nickel and diming their customers for features that should be free.".... Hypocrite.

Apple users really have no business arguing about Verizon using "non-standard technology" given Apple's history...just more hypocrisy.

[viper396]

The coverage map for Verizon CDMA phones is at the follow... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3504_7-6253284-5.html

CDMA coverage for Verizon is shown in green. The coverage is hardly insignificant nor is it limited to just the US. Look at the map then I challenge you to logically explain again why Apple shouldn't bother with Verizon without being a hypocrite.

[atish505]

CDMA is dead, the world runs on GSM and Apple will never spend energy on CDMA. GSM technologies now carry 90% plus market share.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobilemonday.net%2Fnews%2Fgsm-camp-gains-further-market-share&ei=HrhASpeEE5LuswP75-mMCQ&usg=AFQjCNHfO6pGQFiQ1nqovXQtw6_7Bu_iWA&sig2=EHdBxAsoOeRN2fYPdtghIg

[viper396]

@atish505, if marketshare is your argument then why is Apple still selling computers?

Either way, exactly why are Apple supporters even arguing against this? Verizon Wireless is in fact the largest wireless carrier in the US and still growing. The US is Apple's most important market. Supporting Verizon would only increase Apple's value by adding Millions of potential customers to their fold. I ask again, exactly why are Apple supporters arguing against this?

You Apple supporters are so irrational and overzealous that you now even argue against ideas that would benefit. That's just stupid.

[kelmon]

I'm still waiting to find out how much a 32GB 3GS is going to cost me in Belgium. It's due for launch on Friday but as yet Mobistar are not confirming the price, which is probably not good news.

[dudesmiles]

1 million! holy smokes! Apple needs to get out of this exclusive deal with AT&T. Imagine those numbers if this phone was on multiple carriers. ATT has horrible service. Do it Jobby boy. Let the iphone roam free!

[Mike+1]

I am waiting for the 3G SX expandable model myself. Oh yeah, and until I can use it with someone other than att.

[38654ob]

They left out the mention of the new Android phone from HTC. It's expected to do quite well when it goes on sale in July.

[jfrdricks2009]

One million suckers just gave their money to apple & AT&T

[The_happy_switcher]

Or we could be like you and wait for the Zune Phone, right?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKIDdIaFyE

[seven7dust]

@The_happy_switcher
Lol

[shellcodes_coder]

jfrdricks2009: ya man agree with you

[ckh1272]

"by shellcodes_coder June 23, 2009 9:15 AM PDT
jfrdricks2009: ya man agree with you"

Now there's a big surprise. An Apple hater agreeing with another Apple hater. So original! That's like me saying "look at the millions of suckers who bought Vista". Sounds kind of silly don't it?

[svgtom]

It would be nice to know how many of these are new customers as opposed to people upgrading from prior versions.

[CrashPad63]

Look at the activations people, theres your real picture. Sheesh you fanbois are so gullible. Do you believe the earth is still flat too???

[ckh1272]

CrashPad63--Did you have a hard time digesting that cow pie you ate, because all you seem to do is spout out BS!!! Time to break out the Pepto and the duct tape.

[The_happy_switcher]

12% of early iPhone 3G buyers report ditching their BlackBerry:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/06/22/12_of_early_iphone_3g_buyers_report_ditching_their_blackberry.html

Slowly but surely chipping away at Rimm's base.

[seven7dust]

nah RIM is doing fine too
and so is Palm with the pre
I think the only companies that need to worry are those making dumb phones

[ncalishome]

Rimm deserves it.. my BB Pearl is crap. I would snap up an iPhone in a second if I could get one on Verizon.

[ramsey987]

AT&T provides cell voice and cell data the same time (even with when no Wi-Fi is available). No Verizon or Sprint phone can do that. Not even the Palm Pre. If you are chatting with a friend and you both suddenly decide to see a movie, you can check the movie listings using either the Internet or using an App while the other person is listening on speakerphone - but only on an AT&T phone (like the iPhone). Give AT&T credit where it is due.

[Perry_Clease]

"AT&T provides cell voice and cell data the same time (even with when no Wi-Fi is available). No Verizon or Sprint phone can do that. Not even the Palm Pre. "

I think that only applies when we iPhone users are on 3G. When on Edge you can not use cell voice and data concurrently. As to the Pre, I think you can do both if you are connected to WiFi.

[viper396]

My Verizon (HTC Touch) does both Voice and data all the time. I've had alot of conversions over a bluetooth earpeice, or speakerphone, while simultaneously checking a webpage or e-mail. There are alot of phones on all networks that have the same functionality. AT&T is not unique.

Why don't you try checking your facts?

[Shumdit]

We may see a Verizon Iphone, but it will be when the 4G networks start rolling out in 2011 I would say. This is when AT&T and Verizon will both be on the LTE standard, which will require a new phone to take advtange of, and I think all 4G carriers except Sprint will be using that same standard. I expect to see Verizon offering an Iphone when this happens since there will be no additonal R&D for seperate phone by then and both Apple and Verizon can't ignore the potential income from such a pairing. I persoanlly think Verizon's network is better (although their customer service is about as crappy as AT&T's). If anyone want's to take a $100 bet on the Iphone being at Verizon as soon as the LTE network is up and running I am ready to take that bet. I say it will happen.

[brynn08]

1 million huh......so iphone 3G sells 1 million...."but in 22 countries" and iphone 3Gs which stands for speed(which is gay) sells 1 million...but again took 8 countries to sell that....i wonder what the sales would been just in the US.....proly nothing record breaking.....overrated !!!

[The_happy_switcher]

Thank you for your comments, here's your zune phone:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKIDdIaFyE

[ywkhgqo]

happy switcher, you weren't funny or witty the first time.

go play in traffic.

[The_happy_switcher]

"go play in traffic." Wow, so hard hitting. I may never post here again after that verbal lashing.

[seven7dust]

and which other phone sold that many in 3 days again {and thishappened last yr too BTW}
plzz feel free to list any other Phone from RIm Nokia Samsung Palm or anyone else !
plus the iPhone is currently locked and sold on Limited carriers too
imagine if iPhone were available on every carrier at various pricepoints

[ikramerica--2008]

Seems the iPhone sold faster, not slower...