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BGR: Verizon iPhone sales not burning hot

by Mike Schramm Feb 16th 2011 at 5:30PM

Boy Genius Report did a little digging around to find some concrete numbers for Verizon iPhone sales, and while these probably aren't wholly representative of the larger picture, they did release numbers purporting to be from five different Apple stores of the sales of iPhones on both AT&T and Verizon. You can see the day-to-day-breakdown on BGR, but the totals are a little surprising. Over the five-day period, Apple sold 3,009 iPhones with AT&T service, and 3,992 with Verizon service. Obviously, the Verizon iPhones are selling better, but when you consider that this is the first few days of the phones on sale (and the expectations going into the new service), it's interesting that the numbers aren't higher.

Now for the caveats: with an extended pre-order period for existing Verizon customers that apparently did pretty well, and the option of online ordering a day prior to in-person sales, there's not much of a hook here. Apple and Verizon could have sold (and probably did) hundreds of thousands of phones before the opening moments. Also, the iPhone 4 is a known quantity on the market at this point, and adding a carrier (which has happened in scores of countries before) is not necessarily as big of a splash as a new introduction. Yes, there has been pent-up demand for the Verizon iPhone, but a lot of people might have given up waiting in the interim -- or are still waiting for their contract re-up date to roll around instead of paying more than $600 for the unsubsidized phones.

We'll wait until we see official numbers to make any pronouncements, but BGR's source says the sales are below Apple's expectations. The source also says that only 14 percent of those buying the Verizon iPhone were AT&T users. Before the phone went on sale, much of the thinking about a "vPhone" was that it would steal customers from AT&T, but that may not be the case. Two things may be happening here: AT&T likely still has an audience and will continue to sell iPhones, and new Verizon iPhone customers may be coming from other smartphone or feature phone platforms completely.



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Boy Genius Report did a little digging around to find some concrete numbers for Verizon iPhone sales, and while these probably aren't...
 

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kevin.weber

Maybe if the CDMA iPhone wasn't laden with disadvantages compared to the GSM iPhone (carrier-specific issues aside) as pointed out in yesterday's article showcasing the differences between the two I'd be more tempted to switch, but as it is now I don't want to have to relearn what my iPhone can('t) do phone-wise. I use the line-switching aspect of call waiting more often than I think.

February 17 2011 at 11:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith

Apple simply waited too long. All my Verizon-using friends have gotten themselves an Android phone already and are quite happy with it. Apple should have opened up the iPhone to all carriers a couple years ago and kept Android from getting a foothold. I think it's one of the biggest business blunders of the decade. Now Android phones have inroads into the non-AT&T carriers and for most people they work fine and having several makers keeps the rate of innovation higher than the once a year Apple refreshes.

In a few years, I really think that Apple will be hurting in market share because Android is turning into a juggernaut. The lackluster Verizon sales are all the proof you need that the shine has worn off of Apple's products and now there are many equivalent phones out there. Tablets are next.

February 17 2011 at 11:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Keith's comment
kevin.weber

Android a juggernaut? Just because it's the OS on just about every non-iPhone sold these days doesn't make it such. It only has one advantage over iOS: Swype. Please Apple?

Android is a slow buggy POS. Having been a long time T-mobile fan I ditched ATT to try and go back to them, this time trying out the myTouch 4G. It was great at first, but after only 10 days started to get extremely slow (not data service wise, but the phone itself) and failing to open apps and so on. It wasn't even "rooted" (oh how I hate that term. is "gaining root access" so hard to say?) so it's not like I was messing with files I shouldn't have been. Lackluster phone got returned and I'm back with ATT with a smashed up 3GS and am perfectly content.

If Android wants to start unifying the experience and stop having manufacturers smear their own UIs all over it, and also go in and redesign all of the system menus to make more sense, then I could see it becoming said juggernaut; as is, it's just the second best mobile OS.

I will concede that Apple could take a few notes from Android though; widgets can be fun and convenient. Apps like biteSMS (Cydia) would be a great addition to stock iOS as well.

February 17 2011 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve

We have Verizon. My wife was due for an upgrade so we pre-ordered the
iPhone on Feb 3. She got it on Feb 7 and loves it. My contract is up
in April, but I will be using my LG Touch for 2 more months after that
so I can get the iPhone 5. Frankly I don't care how they skew the
numbers. All I know is that Verizon has the iPhone and I will be
getting an iPhone. I have waited four years, I can wait 5 more months.

February 17 2011 at 7:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Christopher Hollomon

I'd switch for better service in my area Richmond,va, but, I had verizon before (when the better service was AT&T in NOVA) and I Always had terrible customer service, long lines, and paid more then a similar AT&T plan. I'd have to be convinced that would change and I'm not convinced yet. AT&T is still good to me as a company and in the wallet, and while I know that is not everyones feeling. Its been the reason I've stayed.

February 16 2011 at 11:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin

Just like the other comments say, my guess is that most people are just waiting for the iPhone 5 and there's not much of an incentive to switch at this point. I had a 3GS and switched to the new Verizon iPhone. I also have no problem paying $600+ to switch to the new iPhone 5 when it is available in the next couple months. I guess I'm definitely in the minority. I'm also extremely happy with my decision to get rid of my crappy AT&T service.

February 16 2011 at 9:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alansky

I don't get it. BRG has also estimated that there have been 500,000 online pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone since it was announced. That's not "burning hot"? This sounds like a pointless article knocked out to go with an attention-getting headline that doesn't necessarily have anything whatsoever to do with reality.

February 16 2011 at 9:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
T

Two things...#1 - Verizon doesn't discount the phone for anyone not renewing a 2 year contract. #2 - If they are eligible for a contract-renewal/upgrade, I know people that are waiting for the potential iPhone 5.

I couldn't wait!! I like my iPhone a lot!! This will keep me satisfied for two more years...or if the 5 is just that great and I can still get an early upgrade pricing (yeah, that's unlikely, I know -- the latter).

February 16 2011 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
oxzid

When verizon gets off their high horse and offers an upgrade to the millions of customers already locked into contracts from last year they will sell the crap out of the overstocked iPhone 4. I wanted one but am locked in until next year. If I were Apple I'd be pissed. Oh well, maybe they'll ease up if/when iPhone 5 hits verizon this summer.

February 16 2011 at 8:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
petesopete

OR you can say that Apple is selling twice as many phones since starting on Verizon..

February 16 2011 at 8:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
carter

As a waiting Verizon customer, I believe the real reason for any slow/unimpressive sale numbers is because unlike AT&T, Verizon is not offering early upgrades to the iPhone like AT&T did for it's customers. Many people, myself included, didn't have an upgrade ready for the release.

February 16 2011 at 7:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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