RIM’s 6.7M Approaches iPhone 3G Sales

RIM announced Thursday it sold 6.7 million BlackBerry handsets between September and November, a figure approaching Apple’s 6.9 million iPhone 3G sales.

The Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM referred to a “record” quarter that saw revenue climb 66 percent to $2.8 billion – despite an economic recession expected to slow handset demand.

RIM told analysts it is having trouble keeping pace with demand for the BlackBerry Storm, the company’s first touch-screen smart-phone.

Despite launching the BlackBerry Storm, Bold and Pearl Flip, RIM reported adding 2.6 million new subscribers during the quarter, down from 2.9 million additions from a year ago.

iPhone sales may be down when Cupertino reports results later this month. A number of analysts have cut projections of iPhone sales, citing the economic downturn. Earlier this week, Goldman Sach’s downgraded Apple to Neutral from Buy. Analyst David Bailey told clients “nicks have started to emerge” in Cupertino’s lead.

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