Analyst: 27 Percent of iPhones ‘Unlocked’
6:42 am, February 23rd, 2009, Ed Sutherland
More than a quarter of iPhones in the U.S. do not use AT&T, further clouding the importance of AT&T’s ‘exclusive’ distribution of Apple’s popular touchscreen cell phone, according to a Monday report.
Of 1.45 million iPhones has described as “missing in action,” around 480,000 are thought to be part of AT&T’s inventory. However, 1 million unaccounted iPhones — or 27 percent — are “unlocked” and being used on other mobile networks, Bernstein Research Toni Sacconaghi said.
Sacconoghi called the figure “stunning,” a step up from Apple’s previous talk of “significant” numbers of unlocked iPhones, according to a Reuters report.
The growing number of unlocked iPhones could weigh heavily on Apple, costing it $500 million in lost profits. However, the carrier must walk a tighrope between protecting its cut from carriers and hurting iPhone sales.
Wednesday, Apple holds in annual shareholders meeting.
Posted by Ed Sutherland in News | Comment on this article
My iPhone 3G is unlocked, but I still use it with ATT, just as a prepaid costumer. I may leave the country in the future and I like to know that when that happens I just have to insert a new sim card and be done.
Ramon, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 am
The analyst report is from Jan 2008.
Seth, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 am
Isn’t this news story over 1 year old, well before the 3g was released?
Mr Old News, on February 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 am