Weakest iPhone launch ever: European first weekend sales
By Danny Mendez
The weekend activation numbers for Apple’s recent European iPhone launch are finally in. Sadly, at least for Apple, the reported numbers are (un)surprisingly low.
According to PC-World, the UK’s O2 reports that 8,000 iPhones were activated as a result of this weekend’s sales. According to 9 to 5 Mac, T-Mobile Germany claims 10,000 iPhones were activated as a result of first day sales, bringing the total to a very unimpressive 18,000 for all of Europe.
In comparison, 270,000 iPhones were sold and supposedly activated during the first weekend of Apple’s US launch. Granted, both countries have a significantly lower population than the US, but that’s no excuse. The weak activation numbers are more likely due to the iPhone’s weakest feature, EDGE connectivity.
Many of Europe’s carriers have already adapted their networks to 3G, and, as a result, many in Europe are used to having the speeds of a 3G network ready to go at all times. The iPhone, sporting 2G EDGE, is an unattractive option to anyone used to 3G which is likely a large portion of Europeans, and we’re seeing the consequences of Apple’s choice to go 2G in Europe’s sales numbers.
Something also to consider, many iPhones have already made their way to Europe as the device has been available in the US for quite a while now. Although, only the most tech saavy of Europe are likely to have imported the phone, meaning the reported sales numbers are definitely a sign of how the general population reacts to the iPhone.
Hopefully this will serve as a lesson to Apple. Innovative software with a flashy interface isn’t always enough to sell a product. The product has to pull through hardware-wise. The company already learned this lesson when it decided to switch from PPC to Intel processors, and it looks like Apple’s learning the hard way again with the iPhone. People want speed and power, be it in their processors or in their mobile data connections!
Related:
Entry was posted
on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
under 
Print This Post
Read more entries by Danny Mendez.
Stumble It!
November 15th, 2007
[...] Danny Mendez put an intriguing blog post on Weakest iPhone launch ever: European first weekend salesHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
November 15th, 2007
[...] Danny Mendez put an intriguing blog post on Weakest iPhone launch ever: European first weekend salesHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
November 15th, 2007
[...] patrick had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.The iPhone, sporting 2G EDGE, is an unattractive option to anyone used to 3G which is likely a large portion of Europeans, and we’re seeing the consequences of Apple’s choice to go 2G in Europe’s sales numbers. … [...]
November 15th, 2007
[...] mailroomuk@zdnet.com (D) wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe iPhone, sporting 2G EDGE, is an unattractive option to anyone used to 3G which is likely a large portion of Europeans, and we’re seeing the consequences of Apple’s choice to go 2G in Europe’s sales numbers. … [...]
November 15th, 2007
The 8000 and 10000 numbers were for the first day of sales - meaning the 4 hours of Friday. The 270000 US number was for the first two days, including Saturday. Apple never gave a breakout of the 270000 into first day and second day. So yes, the numbers are likely lower, even on a population-adjusted basis. But then again, iPod sales are much lower in Europe as well. And US and Japan car sales are much lower in Europe as well, even on a population-adjusted basis.
What evidence do you have that “speed and power” make a difference? If iPhone had 3G but 2.5 hour battery life, would it have sold more than 18000 on the first day? Do you have market research? What effect did the prior availability of unlocked phones have? What effect did the contracts have? Your thinking leading to your conclusions is seriously flawed because you don’t know what variables led to “lower” sales.
So even with corrected numbers, I’m not sure what your point is.
November 15th, 2007
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe iPhone, sporting 2G EDGE, is an unattractive option to anyone used to 3G which is likely a large portion of Europeans, and we’re seeing the consequences of Apple’s choice to go 2G in Europe’s sales numbers. … [...]
November 15th, 2007
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
November 15th, 2007
I live in the UK and I’ve been waiting to buy an iPhone for almost a decade.
I don’t mind EDGE; most of the time I’d have access to WIFI. The reason I haven’t bought an iPhone yet is because of the lack of support for 3rd Party software (because I want to use Truphone) and the fact that you can’t swap out the SIM card when travelling overseas.
The SIM card thing is a legal issue and I can see that being resolved in the courts. And, although 3rd party software is coming to the iPhone I want to wait to make sure that Truphone gets to be a party of that 3rd party software party.
November 15th, 2007
iPhone is for dumbass Americans switching from RAZRs.
November 19th, 2007
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
November 24th, 2007
I live in the UK, really want an iPhone BUT
- Lack of 3G
- Can’t be used as a modem for my Mac (WHY!?)
- Terrible value contract and plans for device
Apple could have launched this at £400 and unlocked and made a killing. Shame, also shame its so locked down.
I’m happy with k850i and a touch