I am no apple fanboy, but how does this 1.5 million compare to opening sales of the first iphone?
It's not just an apple dish, but the iPhone was a first gen piece of hardware with basically a first gen mobile OS. G1 and the Android is just about the same sort of concept, first gen hardware and software.
Judging by this article on gizmodo.com, it took the 1st Gen iPhone almost 4 months to sell 1.5 million units. The G1 did it in less than 3 weeks (without the huge ad campaign).
The G1 is just full of WIN. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
Dont all you iPhone owners get tired of updating? I mean, if you have to keep updating something, it means there is definitely something wrong with it. Just admit it.
You make a great point, Adam. As a first generation device, it will be telling to see how well it is supported from all aspects; the carrier, the hardware support, and the software support will be crucial to integration into a user base. Apple and AT&T were well-known providers, but Android (and Google) is still under the radar for most people. I hope they hit this out of the park, because I appreciate having lots of viable systems to choose from.
I had faith in Helio, but now I'm a lost little lamb...
@ CB17, T-Mobile US i based in the US. This may be seem like splitting hairs, but when it comes to 3G it means a world of difference as they use a completely different frequency than the rest of the US and Europe, so the distinction does matter.
@letstakeawalk Ummm...did people compare the 1st gen iPhone sales to the 1st gen Windows Mobile phone sales? No, I don't think so. They compared (and continue to compare) the ongoing sales to each other.
@CB17 Keep in mind pre-order is only avaliable to existing US customers of T-mobile right now. You can't pre-order for UK yet. UK doesn't even have a launch date yet I believe.
@Bender Well of course T-Mobile US is based in the US but, the company started with Dutsche Telecom who both them and T-Mobile UK (who was first). And they're BOTH getting the G1
ah, well I am betting an extension to my contract for this phone, so I hope it isn't a failure.
Overall I am impressed with the amount of sales already generated. But it's a testament to htc's manufacturing to basically have over 3 million units of this handheld ready to hit homes and shelves by next week.
International or not, I believe those are massive numbers, esp with such low general public advertisement.
The crazy thing is that they sold 1.5 million units without much advertising. They don't have the marketing power of Apple, but they did it anyway. Great job. What it needs now is, I'm sorry to say, have an App Store that runs as well as Apple's store, which means developing software that a user is going to want to use not just for the phone, but also for music, videos, and other forms of media. I think that's why Apple products are usually quite good, as many people use iTunes anyway even before purchasing an iPhone. They just plug it in, and the same software they already have open can transfer their music and everything to the phone.
Someone needs to make an application to go with the phone that people are also going to want to use for other stuff.
Now put it into a phone that isn't ugly as sin, and I may buy it. I know looks aren't everything, but I'd rather have functional + pretty rather than just functional.
@CB17 I think people will compare to the first gen iPhone because the timing is close enough and there are many parallels (new platform at the time, touchscreen also, lots of excitement, some doubt whether it will catch on). The first WinMo date is way too far back to compare and WinMo was more of a business OS from the start. iPhone 3G was after everyone already knew what the device was capable of, so there wasn't any doubt about the device.
I still have some doubts about these numbers because they are way over any of the existing projections, but I don't think anyone can say 1.5 million preorders isn't impressive for a phone only avaliable to existing US customers on a smaller carrier (again for the current pre-orders numbers, UK can't pre-order yet), with a totally unproven OS, which many didn't even get a chance to try yet, and with close to no advertisement. Even compared to the iPhone 3g sales (1 million in 3 days is still amazing, but with proven OS, and worldwide launch) it still is pretty good.
@Jake I'm definitely not down-playing what will obviously be a successful launch for them and it's not like I don't hope to see them succeed. But there's no way that launches which are almost a year and half apart with phones that are over 400 dollars in price difference is even REMOTELY fair. As a matter of fact, it's entirely possible that a lot of the increased demand for the G1 has to do with the what the iPhone has brought to market.
And if you try comparing it to the iPhone 3G launch, keep in mind that not only was Apple constantly running out of phones because of the worldwide launch but also remember that not everyone who wanted a phone day one got one because of all of the activation problems.
So what would be a fair comparison? 1 month's worth of sales for the iPhone 3G vs. 1 month's worth of sales for the G1. Then we'll talk.
@ CB17 Actually looking it over, the price difference is way to big to use original iPhone ($500-$600 as you mentioned) sales numbers for comparison, though there are a lot of parallels between the two. I wonder if anyone has the data for the iPhone 3G, US sales numbers instead worldwide.
Keep in mind that the iPhone was $499/$599 at that time. In some cases, you get the G1 for free after it's subsidized. So you can't really compare the two sales figures.
Apple reported selling 270, 000 in the first fiscal quarter iPhone was available (it was only available for a day and a bit of that quarter - released evening of the June 29, quarter ended June 30). In the next quarter Apple sold 1.1 million devices. Here's some more detail:
Fiscal 2007 fourth quarter ended September 29, 2007
Quarterly sales: 1,119,000
[Sorry, I was going to post direct links but as a 'new reader' I'm apparently only allowed 3 URLs. You can find the Apple press releases with the numbers here:
1.5 million G1s sold at launch would compare very favourably. OTOH, Apple may well have sold more iPhone 3Gs in the quarter just ended than they sold first gen phones in total.
Im just curious though about those iphone numbers. Since Q3 2008 they have been selling a different updated model. How many previous iphones were upgraded by the same people to the latest?
"But there's no way that launches which are almost a year and half apart with phones that are over 400 dollars in price difference is even REMOTELY fair."
It's not Google's fault that Apple wants all your money and that they can give away G1s.
"And if you try comparing it to the iPhone 3G launch, keep in mind that not only was Apple constantly running out of phones because of the worldwide launch but also remember that not everyone who wanted a phone day one got one because of all of the activation problems."
Good job trying to play down the G1 launch by showing how many problems showed up on the iPhone's launch.
The numbers I posted above don't overlap with iPhone 3G sales at all. They only go up to fiscal Q3 2008, which ended June 28; iPhone 3G didn't go on sale until July 11. As to how many iPhone 3G sales were to customers replacing a first gen device, I've no idea, and I haven't seen any survey of buyers that asked the question. Anecdotally, I can say that in the UK I'm seeing lots more 3Gs than I ever saw the first model, but then the first iPhone apparently did quite poorly over here (probably because 3G is pretty much de rigueur).
"Dont all you iPhone owners get tired of updating? I mean, if you have to keep updating something, it means there is definitely something wrong with it. Just admit it"
Yeah, I'm sure Android will be *flawless* out of the gate. Updates will *not* be necessary. It will remain in v1.0 perfection indefinitely.
Good grief, and people gripe about Apple fanboys being irrational?
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I am no apple fanboy, but how does this 1.5 million compare to opening sales of the first iphone?
It's not just an apple dish, but the iPhone was a first gen piece of hardware with basically a first gen mobile OS. G1 and the Android is just about the same sort of concept, first gen hardware and software.
AT&T reported 146k activations on the first weekend of iPhone Sales.
Apple reported 270k of iPhone related sales in the first quarter of availability but this number includes accessories.
http://images.apple.com/pr/pdf/q307data_sum.pdf (warning PDF) Note 6
Judging by this article on gizmodo.com, it took the 1st Gen iPhone almost 4 months to sell 1.5 million units. The G1 did it in less than 3 weeks (without the huge ad campaign).
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/iphone-unlocked/250000-unlocked-iphones-have-been-sold-313741.php
The G1 is just full of WIN. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
Dont all you iPhone owners get tired of updating? I mean, if you have to keep updating something, it means there is definitely something wrong with it. Just admit it.
@Kspraydad
Make sure you add an addendum about the fact that the iPhone was 500-600 dollars at launch and it was only sold in the US.
@ CB17
Is the G1 being sold anywhere besides the US? I don't believe it is.
@Jon
Yes T-Mobile isn't based in the US
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/whats-hot/t-mobile-g1/confirmed/
You make a great point, Adam. As a first generation device, it will be telling to see how well it is supported from all aspects; the carrier, the hardware support, and the software support will be crucial to integration into a user base. Apple and AT&T were well-known providers, but Android (and Google) is still under the radar for most people. I hope they hit this out of the park, because I appreciate having lots of viable systems to choose from.
I had faith in Helio, but now I'm a lost little lamb...
@ CB17,
T-Mobile US i based in the US. This may be seem like splitting hairs, but when it comes to 3G it means a world of difference as they use a completely different frequency than the rest of the US and Europe, so the distinction does matter.
@letstakeawalk
Ummm...did people compare the 1st gen iPhone sales to the 1st gen Windows Mobile phone sales? No, I don't think so. They compared (and continue to compare) the ongoing sales to each other.
@CB17
Keep in mind pre-order is only avaliable to existing US customers of T-mobile right now. You can't pre-order for UK yet. UK doesn't even have a launch date yet I believe.
@Bender
Well of course T-Mobile US is based in the US but, the company started with Dutsche Telecom who both them and T-Mobile UK (who was first). And they're BOTH getting the G1
@Jake
Good point, it doesn't change any of my other above points though.
ah, well I am betting an extension to my contract for this phone, so I hope it isn't a failure.
Overall I am impressed with the amount of sales already generated. But it's a testament to htc's manufacturing to basically have over 3 million units of this handheld ready to hit homes and shelves by next week.
International or not, I believe those are massive numbers, esp with such low general public advertisement.
The crazy thing is that they sold 1.5 million units without much advertising. They don't have the marketing power of Apple, but they did it anyway. Great job. What it needs now is, I'm sorry to say, have an App Store that runs as well as Apple's store, which means developing software that a user is going to want to use not just for the phone, but also for music, videos, and other forms of media. I think that's why Apple products are usually quite good, as many people use iTunes anyway even before purchasing an iPhone. They just plug it in, and the same software they already have open can transfer their music and everything to the phone.
Someone needs to make an application to go with the phone that people are also going to want to use for other stuff.
Now put it into a phone that isn't ugly as sin, and I may buy it. I know looks aren't everything, but I'd rather have functional + pretty rather than just functional.
@CB17
I think people will compare to the first gen iPhone because the timing is close enough and there are many parallels (new platform at the time, touchscreen also, lots of excitement, some doubt whether it will catch on). The first WinMo date is way too far back to compare and WinMo was more of a business OS from the start. iPhone 3G was after everyone already knew what the device was capable of, so there wasn't any doubt about the device.
I still have some doubts about these numbers because they are way over any of the existing projections, but I don't think anyone can say 1.5 million preorders isn't impressive for a phone only avaliable to existing US customers on a smaller carrier (again for the current pre-orders numbers, UK can't pre-order yet), with a totally unproven OS, which many didn't even get a chance to try yet, and with close to no advertisement. Even compared to the iPhone 3g sales (1 million in 3 days is still amazing, but with proven OS, and worldwide launch) it still is pretty good.
@Jake
I'm definitely not down-playing what will obviously be a successful launch for them and it's not like I don't hope to see them succeed. But there's no way that launches which are almost a year and half apart with phones that are over 400 dollars in price difference is even REMOTELY fair. As a matter of fact, it's entirely possible that a lot of the increased demand for the G1 has to do with the what the iPhone has brought to market.
And if you try comparing it to the iPhone 3G launch, keep in mind that not only was Apple constantly running out of phones because of the worldwide launch but also remember that not everyone who wanted a phone day one got one because of all of the activation problems.
So what would be a fair comparison?
1 month's worth of sales for the iPhone 3G vs. 1 month's worth of sales for the G1. Then we'll talk.
@ CB17
Actually looking it over, the price difference is way to big to use original iPhone ($500-$600 as you mentioned) sales numbers for comparison, though there are a lot of parallels between the two. I wonder if anyone has the data for the iPhone 3G, US sales numbers instead worldwide.
@Da_Ereeser:
Keep in mind that the iPhone was $499/$599 at that time. In some cases, you get the G1 for free after it's subsidized. So you can't really compare the two sales figures.
Adam H.,
Apple reported selling 270, 000 in the first fiscal quarter iPhone was available (it was only available for a day and a bit of that quarter - released evening of the June 29, quarter ended June 30). In the next quarter Apple sold 1.1 million devices. Here's some more detail:
Fiscal 2007 third quarter ended June 30, 2007
Quarterly sales: 270,000
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/07/25results.html
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/10/22results.html
Fiscal 2007 fourth quarter ended September 29, 2007
Quarterly sales: 1,119,000
[Sorry, I was going to post direct links but as a 'new reader' I'm apparently only allowed 3 URLs. You can find the Apple press releases with the numbers here:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/]
Fiscal 2008 first quarter ended December 29, 2007
Quarterly sales: 2,315,000
Fiscal 2008 second quarter ended March 29, 2008
Quarterly sales: 1,703,000
Fiscal 2008 third quarter ended June 28, 2008
Quarterly sales: 717,000
Cumulative sales:
Q3 2007: 270,000
Q4 2007: 1,389,000
Q1 2008: 3,704,000
Q2 2008: 5,407,000
Q3 2008: 6,124,000
1.5 million G1s sold at launch would compare very favourably. OTOH, Apple may well have sold more iPhone 3Gs in the quarter just ended than they sold first gen phones in total.
Im just curious though about those iphone numbers. Since Q3 2008 they have been selling a different updated model. How many previous iphones were upgraded by the same people to the latest?
"But there's no way that launches which are almost a year and half apart with phones that are over 400 dollars in price difference is even REMOTELY fair."
It's not Google's fault that Apple wants all your money and that they can give away G1s.
"And if you try comparing it to the iPhone 3G launch, keep in mind that not only was Apple constantly running out of phones because of the worldwide launch but also remember that not everyone who wanted a phone day one got one because of all of the activation problems."
Good job trying to play down the G1 launch by showing how many problems showed up on the iPhone's launch.
John,
The numbers I posted above don't overlap with iPhone 3G sales at all. They only go up to fiscal Q3 2008, which ended June 28; iPhone 3G didn't go on sale until July 11. As to how many iPhone 3G sales were to customers replacing a first gen device, I've no idea, and I haven't seen any survey of buyers that asked the question. Anecdotally, I can say that in the UK I'm seeing lots more 3Gs than I ever saw the first model, but then the first iPhone apparently did quite poorly over here (probably because 3G is pretty much de rigueur).
"Dont all you iPhone owners get tired of updating? I mean, if you have to keep updating something, it means there is definitely something wrong with it. Just admit it"
Yeah, I'm sure Android will be *flawless* out of the gate. Updates will *not* be necessary. It will remain in v1.0 perfection indefinitely.
Good grief, and people gripe about Apple fanboys being irrational?