BlackBerry Overtakes iPhone as Bestselling U.S. Smartphone in Q1
Apple shouldn't get too comfortable with the success of their iPhone as Blackberry has regained the title of best-selling U.S. smartphone for the first quarter of 2009. According to data from NPD Group, the top 5 smart phones were:
1. BlackBerry Curve (all 8300 models)
2. Apple iPhone
3. BlackBerry Storm
4. BlackBerry Pearl
5. T-Mobile G1
BlackBerry also offers multiple models which are also represented on the top sales list. NPD attributes the surge to a number of factors including aggressive giveaways as well as broader availability of the BlackBerry across the four major U.S. national carriers.
The data is interesting to see after there have been persistent rumors that Apple might try to expand the iPhone's market penetration through both a "Lite" version and support on additional U.S. carriers. DaringFireball's John Gruber believes that Apple will model the iPhone product line expansion after the iPod's:
1. BlackBerry Curve (all 8300 models)
2. Apple iPhone
3. BlackBerry Storm
4. BlackBerry Pearl
5. T-Mobile G1
BlackBerry also offers multiple models which are also represented on the top sales list. NPD attributes the surge to a number of factors including aggressive giveaways as well as broader availability of the BlackBerry across the four major U.S. national carriers.
The data is interesting to see after there have been persistent rumors that Apple might try to expand the iPhone's market penetration through both a "Lite" version and support on additional U.S. carriers. DaringFireball's John Gruber believes that Apple will model the iPhone product line expansion after the iPod's:
Apple went on to repeatedly improve upon the iPod in two ways: on the high end by producing new devices with the same shape and price but with new features (additional storage, color screens, larger screens, video, etc.); on the low end by taking the existing features and making them smaller and cheaper.
....
The reason why Apple did this with the iPod, and why I'm convinced they'll do it again with the iPhone, is that when it comes to managing the balance between per-unit profit and overall market share, Apple is determined to err on the side of market share.
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36 months ago
The only reason they took the 1st,3rd, and 4th position is because of the BOGO promotion by Verizon Wireless. If they were not BOGO, this never would have happened.
36 months ago
The price argument is very compelling for people who just want a good portable email machine. The iPhone was the smartphone for "the rest of us", but I think there's a lower tier, a "rest of the rest of us" who are moving up from RAZRs and like the idea of email and web access.
Still, I wonder how much effect the myth of the iPhone being hard to type on affects things. It is a complaint I still hear from people who haven't tried it. I usually win in a race against my friends with Blackberries.
Still, I wonder how much effect the myth of the iPhone being hard to type on affects things. It is a complaint I still hear from people who haven't tried it. I usually win in a race against my friends with Blackberries.
36 months ago
Ranking by expected margin per phone would probably put these in a different order. Would be interesting to have it on a phone by phone basis too, rather than just grouping handsets together.
36 months ago
I wonder if unit sales takes into account enterprise sales as well as consumer sales?
Also, it's interesting that this only looks at unit sales, not activations and not profitability per customer. I think it's on a per customer basis, the iPhone customer is worth more than a BB Curve customer in both monthly and lifetime value.
Also, it's interesting that this only looks at unit sales, not activations and not profitability per customer. I think it's on a per customer basis, the iPhone customer is worth more than a BB Curve customer in both monthly and lifetime value.
36 months ago
Cue all the ignoramuses shouting, "they are comparing all blackberry curve models to just the iPhone!" What will they say soon, I wonder, when multiple iPhone models are sold? If you really need it explained as to why its not important, you aren't worth my time explaining to.
I don't imagine it's because people are waiting for the new model in a couple months. I doubt the average consumer is really anticipating one - and even many people around this forum who are "in the know" still vigorously debate whether or not to just buy the 3G now.
EDIT: Oops, looks like someone already jumped the gun.
I don't imagine it's because people are waiting for the new model in a couple months. I doubt the average consumer is really anticipating one - and even many people around this forum who are "in the know" still vigorously debate whether or not to just buy the 3G now.
EDIT: Oops, looks like someone already jumped the gun.
36 months ago
i agree that we will see a "low-end" iPhone. smaller form factor, fewer features, and lower price point. But something that still offers a feature set unique to Apple iPhone.
Now to confuse the issue of "smart phone" marketshare... I guess Blackberry *may* have outsold the iPhone in Q1. But this does not take into account iPod touch sales which I would argue contribute to the product category. I know folks who are keeping their crap flip phones and buying an iPod touch for the "smart phone" features like calendar (Exchange), contacts, email, web, etc. These are people that are nearby WiFi almost all the time.
Now to confuse the issue of "smart phone" marketshare... I guess Blackberry *may* have outsold the iPhone in Q1. But this does not take into account iPod touch sales which I would argue contribute to the product category. I know folks who are keeping their crap flip phones and buying an iPod touch for the "smart phone" features like calendar (Exchange), contacts, email, web, etc. These are people that are nearby WiFi almost all the time.
36 months ago
Cheap and plentiful tends to sell. Enter Nokia.
Apple with just ONE phone, and with just ONE provider shook up the entire industry and took #1 position in the US and #3 worldwide and held it for quite some time.
Now, in a lousy economy, RIM (or the provider) offers a Wal-Mart-esque promotion on their ancient e-mail/texting machines and they manage to get into a top spot in Q1. And so far only Q1.
Are we supposed to be impressed that a company that has been in business forever, that has produced the Storm-flop, has managed not to suck??
Apple with just ONE phone, and with just ONE provider shook up the entire industry and took #1 position in the US and #3 worldwide and held it for quite some time.
Now, in a lousy economy, RIM (or the provider) offers a Wal-Mart-esque promotion on their ancient e-mail/texting machines and they manage to get into a top spot in Q1. And so far only Q1.
Are we supposed to be impressed that a company that has been in business forever, that has produced the Storm-flop, has managed not to suck??
36 months ago
Its easier to outsell any phone manufacturer if you are giving your phones away. Without the giveaways RIMM wouldn't have taking first place.
36 months ago
Interesting to note that the iPhone is still beating out the BlackBerry Storm, which indicates that in the touch screen market, the iPhone is still on top.
This being said, I believe that the market will shift toward touch screen devices since the attractiveness of greatly increased screen space will become an important factor.
The iPhone (and iPod Touch) touch screen is far superior to the other devices I have tried (they seem to be more like the touch computer screen you would use at a computer based cash register, less of a "touch" screen and more of a "touch and press" screen).
This being said, I believe that the market will shift toward touch screen devices since the attractiveness of greatly increased screen space will become an important factor.
The iPhone (and iPod Touch) touch screen is far superior to the other devices I have tried (they seem to be more like the touch computer screen you would use at a computer based cash register, less of a "touch" screen and more of a "touch and press" screen).
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