RBC: Verizon to sell over 1 million iPhones in first week, 3-4 million in Q1

By on Feb 9, 2011 at 10:45 AM
mobile February 9, 2011

In a note to investors on Tuesday, RBC Capital Markets General Manager Mike Abramsky issued the firm’s estimates for sales of Verizon Wireless’ iPhone 4 during its first week and first quarter of availability. Best on the firm’s pre-order estimates, RBC believes that first-week sales of Verizon’s iPhone 4, which goes on sale tomorrow, will surpass 1 million units. Channel inventory at launch is estimated to be between 1 and 1.5 million units, and Abramsky thinks the entire inventory may be depleted during the phone’s first week of availability. RBC also projects that between 3 and 4 million Verizon iPhone 4 units will be sold during the first quarter of 2011. Finally, RBC notes that its previous estimates of between 9 and 10 million Verizon iPhones being sold during the 2011 calendar year may be conservative. Verizon Wireless took pre-orders from existing subscribers on February 3rd and stated that the highly anticipated smartphone broke its previous first-day sales record in less than two hours. Pre-sales were available for a total of 17 hours and analyst estimates for total pre-sales on February 3rd are as high as 500,000 units.

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  • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 Mike Gonzalez

    LOL! i wonder what fanDroids are thinking now, when a lot of Droid users switched to iOS too

    • Anonymous

      Yup they sure did… So did a lot of BB users…
      But believe me… Android will retain the lead in sales… You should not worry about that…
      And I wonder how the ATT customers will react now that they are diving head first into Android…
      Lots of things to wonder…lol

      I suppose we will just see how the next 2 quarters will end up in sales of Android vs iOS…

      • Steel

        seriously… just as this can be seen as the end to vzw’s embargo on the iPhone, it is the end to ATT’s embargo on decent Android phones. We’ll see who gains…

      • numetheus

        I seriously doubt Android will retain its lead in sales. Verizon is the biggest seller of Android phones in the US. And now that they have iPhone, most will buy that.You can already see it happening with the large number of users on Verizon switching to it. On AT&T, we have Captivate (Galaxy S phone), which is an amazing Android phone. The Galaxy S phones do phenomenally well on the other carriers, but don’t do so well on AT&T. Why do you think that is? Most people prefer the iPhone. They buy on other carriers because iPhone isn’t an option. It IS an option to VZW customers now. I seriously doubt they will sell as many Droids.

    • Anonymous

      I’m thinking I still like my physical keyboard, dual docking modes, and adaptability.

    • Anonymous

      Well, I’m personally thinking I don’t care?…

      EVO > iPhone 4. So they can have it. I’m so damn happy I’m on a network that will never be bogged down by iPhone traffic. (And before you start bashing Sprint, I live in a big city where I can pretty much breathe 4G, so your comment is invalid)

      • numetheus

        Apps don’t compare. On iPhone, tons of the games coming out now are console quality. Dead Space is a new fine example of that. I had an Android for a month but CAN’T use it for work because Cisco has not made a Webex client for it. There are TONS of enterprise clients available now for iOS that don’t exist on Android. As far as apps on Android … games are nowhere near iPhone games. And as a work phone, it doesn’t compare because the software just isn’t available.

      • Tim242

        Games are improving quickly. But, not many people use their phones for hardcore gaming. The great games you brag about are not even in the top 50 on ios. The popular ones like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja are found on both. Angry Birds is the #1 game on ios…so sad.

      • numetheus

        Why is that sad? It’s the #1 game on Android too. Its an extremely addictive game. I doubt game support will be the same on Android unless they decide to lock things down and decide on common hardware specs. Right now it’s a well known fact that iOS gets most developer support because people buy apps on iPhone despite Android being more popular now. Developers go where the money is. As a developer you can’t write an upper end game to take advantage of the awesome capabilities of the upper end phones because there are lots of cheaper phones with lower specs. Writing for the upper end Android phones is limiting your buying audience because newer lower end phones can’t run it. So, developers are forced to develop for the lower end to sell to a larger audience. I believe it ws the author of Angry Birds who said that Android was difficult for that very reason. Unless things change and Google tightens up to only allow certain specs to run Android, things won’t get much better.

      • Anonymous

        So is your argument that iOS has more applications, or simply higher quality ones? First, more =/= better. For almost every application on iOS you can find one that does the exact same thing (I’m not saying android is any different, rather stressing that the number of unique apps is what counts if we’re talking volume). Secondly, Android has just as many high quality applications as iOS. Find me an application on iOS, and I’ll show you an Android application that does the same thing just as easily.

      • numetheus

        Ok. I have tried android and its pretty much useless for enterprise use. Show me Cisco Webex for android. That is something that is almost an enterprise requirement in a lot of circles for people wanting to do stuff on the move, which is what lots of people do. Show me Cisco anyconnect. Show me a filemaker client for Android. An official autocad viewer? No its not the same. I tried an Android phone as something for work, and it’s something that is limited. Blackberry? Of course. IPhone? The enterprise sector has made it possible. For android? Well … so far android is just a bad ass phone for personal use. As an enterprise mobile, it’s a useless novelty.

      • numetheus

        Now, I’m not saying I don’t like Android. On the contrary I will pick up an Atrix on release. But, it will only be my personal phone. I need something to replace my Blackberry, but so far only iOS will work.

      • KCRic

        Console quality?? You sir, just lost any credibility.

      • jb

        WOW,,,Where are you getting your info from????

      • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

        who wants to play games on a tiny screen? only poor people who cant afford an xbox360 and a a large flatscreen tv. I prefer games on a 42 inch hdtv or more. phone games suck balls anyway. so using games an argument, doesnt really fly.

      • numetheus

        I play my XBOX 360 on a 65″ television. My gamer tag is Mr Hugglekins if you want to play some Black Ops. I play games on the phone because I have a lot of dead time outside of home. And when I DO play on the tiny screen … I want some awesome games. I would prefer to play games that feel more like console games on my tiny screen than games that feels like phone games on Android. That being said … I’m dumping iPhone anyway. LOL That Atrix looks awesome.

      • Mark

        Until iPhone goes to Sprint, its only a matter of time.

      • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

        yeah, when Apple decides they want their image tainted by a shitty, inferior company like Sprint, then they will get the iphone. but thats prob never happening. US Cellular will get it before Sprint. Sprint just blows. so very very hard. more than anyone.

      • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

        well if you never plan on leaving your city, you’re not only a loser but also a doucebag. step outside your little shithole town and see how your shitty sprint phone does. fag

      • Anonymous

        LOL. Wow. First of all, I live in one of the largest cities in America. You wouldn’t like it, because there is a lot less inbreeding than you’d prefer. Second, if I lived in a “shithole town,” you think Sprint would cover it? Nice logic. Third, I don’t know where you get the notion that you’re better traveled than I am, but believe me, the REAL world is much bigger than the World of Warcraft, or your mom’s basement for that matter. I guess what I’m saying is: Eat my ass, you fkn troll.

      • Anonymous

        Oh, and BTW, Maine?! You live in MAINE?! Wow, talk about shithole. Nice twitter, idiot. Before you go talking sh%# online, you better damn well make sure you don’t divulge the details of you life in a networked fashion. Now go get stoned and hate yourself, loser.

    • Chut Pata

      Whenever you open a boiling pot, the steam comes out. There were lot many who were a bigger Verizon loyals than they were Apple fanboys, so they waited patiently, and could not wait anymore for iPhone-5. Then there are many who wee bigger Apple fanboys than Verizon loyals and had shifted to AT&T, and would now be shifting to Verizon.

      Chances are, with Apple not being AT&T flagship product, and AT&T focusing a lot on Android super-phones like Atrix, fanDroids who are not liking Verizon focusing on iPhone, and fanDroids being free spirits and not liking CDMA slavery, would start shifting to AT&T for faster speed.

    • Tim242

      About the same as yoi will when the iphone users on att buy up the new high-end Androids, like the Atrix. It will all come out in the wash.

    • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

      they thought, wow iOS sucks balls compared to Android, and immediately flushed their shitty iphone down the toilet and went back to android. I know I did. and all the other people who are actually somewhat smart. apple faggot

  • DrZub

    Will Apple release how many were actually new iphone owners, and how many switched from AT&T? 3-4 million in a quarter is impressive, but not if a third-to-half of them were AT&T converts.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Moore/1468057769 David Moore

      We know that the initial 500,000 pre-orders were existing Verizon customers because they were the only people who could order.

      Personally, I don’t think there will be a sudden mass exodus. Unless you really live in an area with terrible AT&T coverage why would you pay an Early Termination Fee and then buy the exact same phone on another network. Most people will get by with the AT&T phone and may chose to switch when their contract is up.

      • Tim242

        500,000, EH? You state that as a fact, when nobody but Verizon and Apple knows how many sold. Your going by some estimate by a 3rd party. Another estimate is much lower. This article estimates a million in week one. But, you believe half that in one day? I say wait on official numbers and stop guessing.

  • Anonymous

    WOOOOHOOOOOO Yet ANOTHER BGR article on the iPhone? Interesting…

    • Anonymous

      I’m tired of it too. Day in and day out.

    • http://twitter.com/jesterthejedi Billy Butler

      Learn how to code, its your post
      What a noob!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Moore/1468057769 David Moore

    Whichever way you look at it the numbers are impressive.

  • Tee

    So what they’re saying is there’s going to be, bare minimum, 3-4 million pissed off people in Q2 when the new iPhone is unveiled…

    • Anonymous

      I think by now the general is well aware that there is a new iPhone every year. So if anyone is shocked when an iPhone 5 launches this summer, then shame on them for not doing their homework.

      • Tee

        Yes, shame on them… but let’s not forget we live in the instant-gratification society of America… they don’t care, they need it now… and they will play stupid, or perhaps aren’t playing stupid, when the iPhone 5 comes down the pipe this summer…

      • Monique

        I’m very knowledgable in regards to what’s coming out and despite knowing that iPhone 5 will definitely come out for at&t (no one is sure about vzw) this summer, I still purchased the iPhone 4. And I’m happy with my purchase, and yes I came from the Droid Inc (which is the best Android phone on VZW right now). The thunderbolt doesn’t excite me because it’s just too big and kind of masculine looking…not my cup of tee because I’m female. 4G is nice but it really isn’t worth it right now especially if it costs extra so I will continue to use 3G and wi-fi whic is faster than 4G anyway. In any case, people continue to buy phones that become outdated as soon as they hit the stores. Especially when it comes to Android phones which are being released on a weekly basis. At least with iPhone, you will get the same software update as the new iPhones. Can’t say that for Android. Yeah, can anyone tell me where is 2.3/2.4 on any of these ‘new’ 4G android phones? Yeah, it doesn’t exist for them

      • Chut Pata

        When summer comes, the fanboys are going to put their iPhone-4 on ebay and buy iPhone-5. They will pay the termination fee. Remember they bought the crappy iPhone-edge for $600! Do not underestimate the zeal of fanboys, Apple fanboys, BB fanboys, or fanDroids.

      • http://twitter.com/jasenmaster Jasen Master

        Im an iPhone convert from the Droid (doesn’t) and I know that the new phone is coming this summer. That’s why I also have my wifes line who is due for an upgrade this summer. See where I’m going with this?? She wants the iPhone 4 and I will take the 5. :)

      • Anonymous

        Funny stuff lol

  • Jayhammy

    This, too, shall pass. Once the initial elation at the iPhone is over, it will resume its slip behind Android. IMHO, any fool who would buy an iPhone 4 over the upcoming Thunderbolt or even the current incredible deserves to not know what they’re missing! LOL. The LG Optimus Black, the Thunderbolt, and the Droid Bionic will blow iP4 out of the water as they will the upcoming iP5.

    • Monique

      Spec wise, yeah it will blow away the iP4. but in real world usage, not so much. have you guys even checked the reviews of some of these phones yet? Most reviewers put these phones on par with the iPhone 4. That’s pretty pathetic considering that the iP4 is 7 months old. I came from the Incredible, and although the INC is the best android phone on VZW right now, the iP4 is a better all around device IMO….The thunderbolt is pretty much like the evo, which is pretty much like the bigger version of the Droid INC….so, there’s really nothing new going on there.

      • Tim242

        When you said the Thunderbolt is like the Evo and bigger Dinc, you lost all credibility. You are one of those very misinformed / stupid people that need the iphone, aka the smartphone for stupid people.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t think they’ll miss the terrible battery life along with the laggyness. These Android phones look good on paper but the software sucks, no skype, no Netflix.

      • numetheus

        Not only does the software on Android not compare, but I can’t even use it for work because they are missing important pieces of software I need. Cisco Webex on Android? Forget it! It’s a novelty device that has no real enterprise use. Stick with Blackberry or iPhone for that.

      • Tim242

        Wrong again. No lag on high-ends. Skype is updating to video on Feb. 28. It’s coming bulit into the Lte phones. As is Netflix. Get educated.

    • Mark

      “This, too, shall pass” (your an idiot) that line has been repeated since the sales report on the first iPhone.
      I just bought twelve Android phones for my service techs (Nextel P2T on a smart phone is the only reason). The Android OS is nice, but to compare it to an iPhone is like comparing “mouse to a bear” these were words utterly mumbled by the owner of the phone store (a personal friend) who hates Apple products. I was stunned to hear a compliment about Apple to come from his mouth.
      Apple has set the road map from the beginning, every version they release sets another, and every future phone will yet set another. Android will release something soon after like that cat and mouse game that Microsoft has played with Apple for years. If you wish to buy a second rate phone and be happy with it then good for you. But all in all “second” is no more than the “first” loser, please don’t be a hater, …………….loser.

  • http://twitter.com/tonyedwards1958 Tony Edwards

    Did Google not announce there andriod activations are about 350,000 a day. my math is not that good but that to me is about 1 million every three days. so the estimates selling just 10 million over a calender year really is quite small. Is my thinking wrong ?

  • Anonymous

    Android has a huge advantage and that’s the buy one and get one free deals, but if you want a iPhone there’s no need to wait for iPhone5. There’s nothing that the iPhone5 will do that the current iPhone won’t be able to do I think. If your waiting for the Bionic or the Thunderbolt, trust me it won’t do anymore that what you current Droid does, there’s not going to be any special apps for it. Sure it has a dual core chip but for what if the apps are not there.

    • Tim242

      Won’t do anything your current Droid won’t do??? LMAO that shows your sheer ignorance and/or stupidity. Ever heard of Lte? How about simultaneous voice/data? How about VoLte?

  • Bringit

    One for me, thank you.

  • http://twitter.com/Syk0Matik420 Beefy McBigDick

    what if EVERY inferior product sold as well as iphones? we’d still be playing Atari’s instead of xbox 360′s. but i gotta hand it to apple. they realized how many morons out there will buy their inferior garbage and decided to run with it…. now, I dunno if we will ever get rid of Apple. Only if someone can find the Head Zombie and execute him, then, all the other apple zombies will turn back to normal. realize what a piece of shit iOS is and might actually buy something decent. but i doubt it. half the world is in fact, retarded. hence the reason apples crap sells well. dumb people dont know any better.

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