“Although market expectations may be higher, Apple will only ship four million iPhones this year and 12 million in 2008, according to a recently released report from Merrill Lynch,” Michael McManus reports for DIGITIMES.
“The report indicates that monthly shipments will initially total 200,000-300,000 and ramp to about one million units by the end of the year,” McManus reports.
McManus reports, “Based on its forecast, Merrill Lynch added that component suppliers for the device are unlikely to see a boost in their revenues in the short-term, though the iPhone should help drive demand for higher-end handsets, which should help suppliers in the long-term.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, the iPhone will face Wii-like supply vs. demand issues in 2007. Get your iPhone early! Note that 4 million iPhones for the second half of 2007, even with a flat shipments rate through 2008, would equal 12 million iPhones or 2 million units over Apple’s publicly-stated goal of 10 million iPhone units shipped by end of 2008.
I agree. There will be wait time galore. This’ll only add to the hype and desire-factor.
not to mention the hottest Christmas gift this year…buy two and put one on Ebay
4m for 6 months is pretty good if you consider their target for 2008, or 18 months is 10m. Any company would rather struggle to meet massive demand than fail to ship what they can make at all.
MDN: You mean, get your iPhone late.
btw;
Micros**t sucks
Also, there is bugger all point in committing to more than 4M given that a) a number of smarter buyers will wait till the G2 before buying and that b) the initial 1-2M users will uncover usage patterns and flaws which Apple can use to improve G2.
They are actually predicting a total shipment of 16M units. (4M this year + 12M next year)
That is a 60% increase over what Apple has been stating.
Apple is sandbagging on the numbers. They will be much higher. The blowing away of estimates is, by now, an Apple tradition.
If Apple sells four million iPhones in the next two quarters, I would fully expect their sales for next year to be more than twice that. That would not be “flat shipments”, it would be a cut-back … at least, from the December 2007 shipments. And that’s not counting newer, lower-cost models! Look for a solid twelve million next year, if they hit four million this.
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But why do they suggest that Apple will STOP ramping up supply when it reaches 1m a month?
What is to stop that becoming 2m a month by Q2 08?
We all know how accurate the analysts have been with Apple in the past.
“But why do they suggest that Apple will STOP ramping up supply when it reaches 1m a month?”
Guess Merrill Lynch isn’t bullish enough to step out too far beyond Apple’s own target of 10m plus the additional rumor of a second supplier with a 5m contract.
These guys are paid to make guestimates. Like Apple they have to post something, and like Apple, they will post numbers that are safe, not what they really believe.
two mil in the first 90 days.
so sayeth O.
the ever amazing mw: “served”
(unless you’re ML analyst, in which case, the special word for you is “schooled”
wonder if they are estimating lower to drop the stock for a better entry position.
The iPhone is essentially a license for Apple to print money. People, meaning out of touch non-techie types, are just starting to realize that.
Swingin’
Wild
Ass
Guess
MW: ‘feeling’ — I’m feeling dumb now
Por derecho guevon…la vara es que ud conoce ya rata..ud sabe como es la vara al chile piorra..ud sabe como esta el asunto..esta camote?
> They are actually predicting a total shipment of 16M units. (4M this year + 12M next year). That is a 60% increase over what Apple has been stating.
Actually, Apple’s stated goal from the Jobs keynote was 10 million units sold IN 2008, “the first full year in the market.” So it is 2 million about their projections.
I think Apple will find a way to make more iPhones.
On the other hand, don´t be an early adopter….
let the others get the bugs out.
This is iPhone, not Vista. No craplets on iPhone.
@chapulin – Yure spelin iz atroash, i cooldnt understood a singal wurd off wot youse wrote.
i think it will sell a lot better than this, if the channels can keep up with the huge demand.
Everyone will be able to get one or more. Just go out and buy, buy, buy. Merrill Lynch is plainly wrong but they lose nothing by making a foolish estimate for which they will never be held accountable. Typical analyst bung fodder. The product will be a runaway hit and shipments will exceed expectations wildly. After all, its APPLE, you know.
MDN NEEDS TO GET THEIR MATH RIGHT. MERRILL SAID 4 MILLION THIS YEAR, 12 MILLION NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS 16 MILLION … NOT 12 MILLION. THAT IS 6 MILLION OVER APPLES PUBLICLY STATED GOAL, OR A FULL 60%.
MDN …. MAKE A CORRECTION!
I think Apple is dreaming of selling that many this year and would guess they’ll sell half of the current estimate.
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