iPhone sells out faster than an 80's rock star

Unless you live in or near Tigard, Oregon or Pittsburgh PA, chances are you'll be out of luck this morning if you're jonesin' for that quick retail fix of consumer crack called the iPhone -- Apple's retail locator lists the iPhone as unavailable for the rest of the nation. Sales have been so brisk in the first week that AT&T claims to have "sold more iPhones than in the first month of any other wireless phone AT&T ever offered. That's how good it's been." However, neither Apple nor AT&T have released any figures. Anecdotal evidence from readers who ordered on-line or at AT&T stores suggests that a replenishment might come as soon as Friday -- the date many hopefuls were told they'd receive shipment. Based on previous Analyst calculations, we're guessing that Apple has crossed the 1M unit mark. A milestone which surely garners some kind of Apple announcement. Oh, hey Apple, how 'bout clearing up all those rumors in Europe while you're at it? K, thanks.

Update: waitingforiphone claims to have a leaked memo from ATT Mobility claiming more than 1 million iPhone activations since launch.

[Tom Strong @ Jul 5th 2007 3:13AM]

Haha, Zune hasn't even sold a million in 6 months!

[carlo @ Jul 5th 2007 3:25AM]

Sorry, but that's a really, really, really poor comparison and an even worse attempt at a Microsoft dig.

The differences between the two products (users, operating system, PLATFORM, marketing, price...) are so many and so obvious that...

Just let the big sales be what they are, and in the meantime go to your local community college and take a class in logic and reasoning.

[John @ Jul 5th 2007 3:57AM]

@carlo

Seems similar to zuneboys talking about how their first-gen Zunes greatly outsold first-gen iPods, despite obvious differences in customer demand, technology, and year they were released.

Technically, Apple is marketing this as their next-gen iPod, and I should also note that many of your so-called differences are negligible, if not in favor of the Zune (the price of the iPhone is significantly higher, Zune does not carry a monthly service charge, Zune operates on Windows, which holds ~85% market share, meaning Apple only has about a 13% advantage in sales). That leaves marketing, which I promise you, despite Zune's horrible marketing scheme ("Welcome to the Social"), it was not the sole reason for its relative lack in sales.

I enjoyed your "let the sales be what they are" comment. It must suck to eat so much crow in just one week.

[mustharshid @ Jul 5th 2007 4:04AM]

so...we have 1 million iLosers?

[fontendet24 @ Jul 5th 2007 5:28AM]

After that crack for activation process - many people goes to buy it from all of the world.
I want to buy it too, because I'm tired of the small display from my ipod video.
So, it's sold out and maybe you CAN'T GET it for MONTHS!

Yeah, I'm ready to spend $600 for it, as other millions people.

[paloooz @ Jul 5th 2007 6:59PM]

Don't you "I want a phone-less iPhone" people realize how irrational it is to spend $600 on a Phone and not use it for a phone?

Just wait, surely Apple will release a touch-screen 16:9 iPod with the same interface as the iPhone's iPod application.

[paloooz @ Jul 5th 2007 7:00PM]

And with a harddrive ... And 100GB of space ...

[Speeddemon2008 @ Jul 5th 2007 3:17AM]

HaHa I live near Tigard, Oregon. Its like 15 minutes away. But I really dont want an iPhone. I kinda like my verizon service and the fast net speeds compared to AT&T.

[Mischa Lockton @ Jul 5th 2007 4:59AM]

People are spending up to $100,000 for these things on eBay! Well... ok to be fair that was for charity. Others selling for $700-$2000 and that will go up until Apple restocks- let the fun continue! Oh did I meantion I own AAPL and eBay stock? My Treo 700p is way less cool, but it gets me the info I need.

[Oregon-Boy @ Jul 6th 2007 2:05AM]

Besides, the Apple store in Tigard (Washington Square Mall) sucks.

[Howard @ Jul 5th 2007 3:18AM]

Wow, 1 million in the first week? That would equate to roughly half a billion dollars in sales (and roughly $250 million in profit) in just one week.

I hope the demand keeps up!

[Spencer @ Jul 5th 2007 4:54AM]

What - do you own Apple Shares?

[Tom @ Jul 5th 2007 8:34AM]

After producing 3 million phones, Apple's still in the hole. 250mil profit on the phones produced, but not an ounce of green considering the 3 mil production line for launch. The whole production operation cost roughly $750mil. They're probably very close to making a profit off of the hardware, though.

But, I must say I'm impressed that the iPhone has sold this well. I didn't think it'd hit the 1 million mark for another week. That's speculation for you!

[Howard @ Jul 5th 2007 12:28PM]

a) Yes, I own shares!

b) There's no way they have millions of iPhones sitting around in a warehouse to create a manufactured shortage. My guess: Apple has sold out the initial production run.

[jabber_wolf @ Jul 5th 2007 2:44PM]

Your forgetting the money spent on research and development.
The iphone has take up most of apples spending and development for about 5-6 months!

There was no doubt there were about 1 million or do idiotts/mactards that did not know there were smarphones out there that could do everything and more.

Actually the iphone kinda helped fuel that information and the present arguments about the iphone and their FALSE claims of innovation.


While the Diagram shows the stock of iphones dwinding quickly.... you should see the same with the demand for it. It should shrink just as quick.

The initial release of the i-tard phone would undoubtedly get all the sales from the drooling sheep out there, but for the rest of the smart people, they got normal phones or SMART phones as a smarter idea!

[lysdexia @ Jul 5th 2007 10:44PM]

Shitheaded dogtard, read my reply on ZDnet. Those smartphones do not match the iPhone's features.

[The Early Adopters @ Jul 5th 2007 3:29AM]

Pretty amazing... I've been loving mine but I do hope for some software updates to smooth things out and get some of the haters on board.

[WiFiSpy @ Jul 5th 2007 3:37AM]

Lame, I have 3 ones I cant get rid of....

[deslock @ Jul 5th 2007 4:54AM]

>WiFiSpy @ Jul 5th 2007 3:37AM
>
>Lame, I have 3 ones I cant get rid of....

Then you're not putting much effort into it. They're going for over $900 on ebay.

[Generic @ Jul 5th 2007 3:38AM]

not that surprising since Apple has a habit of overly exciting its consumers (not that difficult a job since they are already over-hyped)

but truth be told, even though I wouldn't consider an iPhone for purchase myself, non-tech users are going to love this thing for its simplicity (ARE YOU LISTENING MOTOROLA, NOKIA, ETC...)

[Andrew @ Jul 5th 2007 8:38AM]

You are exactly right. The iPhone was not made for tech geeks or for the blackberry type. It was made for avg joe which is most of the USA. Most people wont even notice any of the things this site pointed out. and I know for a fact that they would sell more but the price is too high for avg joe. lol make a device for joe put a price for the enterprise class.

[Brian @ Jul 5th 2007 3:41AM]

Brian here from Pittsburgh. If you happen to be jonesing for your iPhone fix, I can hook you up :-) Just kidding, but one just feels the need to gloat to be living in one of the two cities that survived the iPhone attack.

[LukeA @ Jul 5th 2007 1:45PM]

Yeah, it's great.

(fellow Pittsburgher)

[Agust @ Jul 5th 2007 3:49AM]

Thid doesn't surprise me at all, they do what others missed, make a simple, powerful modern phone where you take the key-pad figures away.

[Rick wilson @ Jul 5th 2007 3:52AM]

I tried one out at a local apple store today and I kept accidentally clicking on so many things!! When typing, I accidentally typed space constantly, therefore creating gibberish words and the backspace was hard to hit for me. You MUST hover your thumbs they cannot rest anywhere on the phone while typing.

Also, I found when videos were at the end like someone before me had played them, when you select that video to play it just shows a black screen. you have to tap to bring the controls up, then click the back arrow to get to the beginning of the video.

One more thing, the pinch was really jumpy with me, when I'd pinch inward looking at cupertino, CA it jumped up and i ended up in San Fran, CA. Pinching in and out wasn't as smooth as I'd have hoped. (the safari couldn't render AJAX either)

I was all ready to plop down for the iphone, but after using it, I am really sad but I think I'll wait until my phone starts to die before thinking about getting one.

[ForumMaster @ Jul 5th 2007 3:55AM]

the interesting thing is how many suckers there are. hte iphone is undoubtly a beautiful creation. i'm not an iphone hater. all i'm pointing out, is that it isn't smart to buy the 1st gen units. apple will eventually fix all the issues in the v2 release. they always do. just like with the ipod.

from reviews i've read, the call quality isn't the best. they call it a useful toy. i assume it will soon be hacked and then much more useful. it is just surprising the apple has already sold 1M iPhones.

[Spencer @ Jul 5th 2007 5:07AM]

And it's not as if Apple haven't already designed the 2nd Generation phone and planned production is it - it'll be half the price and do twice as much - this is APPLE people.

[kitch @ Jul 5th 2007 7:41AM]

The problem with waiting for a second gen product is you then need to use a phone with a crappy UI that much longer. I have played with 5 or 6 different phones in the last 4 years and just kept waiting for the right phone. The iPhone fits the bill for me. That's not to say that would be the case for everyone. I feel for my needs it was worth the $600 for the email client and visual voicemail.

[nosrednAneB @ Jul 5th 2007 4:08AM]

Yes, please give an announcement for the rest of your customers Apple. Remember there is a whole world out there that isn't America.

[Alex @ Jul 5th 2007 3:39PM]

You mean to say there are other countries? Let's invade!

[Alex @ Jul 5th 2007 4:11PM]

You mean to say there are other countries? Let's invade!

[Greg3d @ Jul 5th 2007 4:09AM]

"Not a kinda sort of internet, not a stripped down internet, JUST, the internet"

Well, we all know this is a lie, because it is not "Just, the 'Internet'".

If it was anyone else but Apple, there'd be a class action lawsuit by now. Talk about false advertising.

[Adam Lett @ Jul 5th 2007 5:06AM]

"If it was anyone else but Apple, there'd be a class action lawsuit by now. Talk about false advertising."

Yes, obviously people who gets their hands on an Apple product are immediately transformed into fanbois who are so fiercely loyal that they simply cannot bring themselves to sue. It's very clever on Apple's part, since it effectively puts them above the law.

Or could it be that you are exagerating your claims of false advertising just a teeny weeny bit? Can you in fact mention even one other company that has ever been subject of a class action suit because of false advertising?

[Greg3d @ Jul 5th 2007 5:27AM]

Doing a Google search brings up a few. Here is one that Engadget reported on: http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/xm-hit-with-false-advertising-lawsuit-over-commercial-free-cla/

Next time, instead of assuming there haven't been any, do a search yourself. Can you in FACT say there were no lawsuits based on False advertising? NO, you can't.

[andy @ Jul 5th 2007 5:34AM]

it is the REAL internet, it just doesnt have any proprietry plug-ins (yet, there is a plugins feature yet to be used)

[Greg3d @ Jul 5th 2007 5:30AM]

Better yet, here's anotehr one against Apple for "False Advertising"

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/05/21/displaysuit/index.php

[seamus d dog @ Jul 5th 2007 5:51AM]

Greg 3d,
It's too bad you're a twit, or you'd see that by citing your second story, you're undercutting your own initial argument.

[srilyk @ Jul 5th 2007 2:27PM]

The internet is just some series of tubes...

[PSU_Boss @ Jul 5th 2007 4:21AM]

I live in Pittsburgh too. But, no iPhone for me.. i love my Verizon service

[beeporama @ Jul 5th 2007 10:33AM]

Also from Pittsburgh... but I'm a big hippie using Working Assets. I think if college was in session, all the students would have snapped up those phones right quick...

Kinda tempting to see if I can get one to resell, but I was full of hate for eBay flippers when I tried to get my Wii, so I'll just leave it for someone who really wants it.

[wtfman @ Jul 5th 2007 4:53AM]

Geez...where did all these numbers came from? I mean, come on, it seems like people are just randomly throwing numbers out. Couple of days ago, "analysts" were saying sell-out rate between 250k-550k at the same days. Who's right? Now...it's up to a million? Please, stop making crap up. I wouldn't be suprises if there are no where near a million iphone sold.

[James Bishop @ Jul 5th 2007 5:56AM]

I'm sorry for all the people at the front of the line.

As we used to say in the Air Force, "Never fly an A model!"

[Kevman @ Jul 5th 2007 5:42AM]

Fools and their money....

[leon @ Jul 5th 2007 6:00AM]

It has been widely reported that over 500,000 sold this past weekend, and over 1 million activations have been logged. The product is the most reported and talked about electronic ever, so what is so suprising? BTW, it is the REAL internet, lol. I am writing this comment from my iphone, and will soon verify the comment through email over the iphone. How could you sue them for false advertising? The advertising would have to be false, right? Maybe your definition of the REAL internet is telepathy? I personally think the web browser on the iphone is awesome. It is a total joy to use. I even wish my PC browser would copy some of the zoom features. I had no problem navigating my three personal websites

[CF @ Jul 5th 2007 6:05AM]

Why is it that Non-Apple technology users are on such a a downer', in some kind of tech depression, spouting hate everywhere, or generally being morose ?

Apple folks are always so much more happy about their technology. They get excited about new stuff coming from Apple and non-Apple users seem to really get upset by this.

They want to share the 'love' and you'll often hear them saying stuff like 'Hey friend, come over and look at this. It's awesome..Try it you'll love it'.

Has anyone else noticed this ? Why aren't non-Apple users like this ?

[Stefan @ Jul 5th 2007 7:07AM]

That is a really interesting social question.
I think it has to do with the apple vs. the rest feeling that binds the apple people together as a minority group and makes them feel about it..being the underdog, truly believing the products are superior and wanting to convince others they are to make the brand bigger and stronger...maybe a little for there own good..
Stefan - The Netherlands.

[Michael @ Jul 5th 2007 7:14AM]

That's not completely the case. A lot of Apple fanboys are very narrow minded and negative toward anything but Apple products. This leaves a bad taste in some people mouth and makes them dislike Apple fanboys and eventually Apple products as a result.

Personally I don't take sides. I love good gadgets no matter who they come from. It's absolutely stupid to be a blind fanboy or a hater. Why be so extreme either way?

[fontendet24 @ Jul 5th 2007 8:51AM]

I'll needed iphone only for watching a movies in subway. That's all. And i can spend 600 dollars for that, because this products is very easy to use.

[jilie @ Jul 5th 2007 6:38AM]

Unlike Engadget want us to belive. the Ipony has been a fiasco, DOWN WITH APPLE!

[Spencer @ Jul 5th 2007 7:15AM]

I like Apple stuff I have a Mac and I think it's quite nice. However if you were new to the planet you'd be forgiven for thinking that Apple actually invented everything that they sell and that everybody else's stuff was a poor imitation. Cleary untrue.

This is partly due to the absolutely brilliant marketing plus massive backup from the smug drones who buy into the 'Apple vs. anyone else debate' and deride others who don't agree.

Long live diversity. Up yours smug drones - Mac, PC or otherwise!