Apple sells its 500 millionth Apple iPhone

Edward Snyder, an analyst at Charter Equity Research, told the New York Times in March 2008 that Apple would have a hard time reaching Steve Jobs' goal of selling 10 million of his new-fangled iPhone device in 2008. Snyder pointed out that Nokia sold more phones in a week than Apple had sold in total up to that point. But Snyder was dead wrong, Steve Jobs was right (12.8 million units were sold in 2008) and Apple has just sold its 500 millionth iPhone.

The 100 millionth Apple iPhone was sold around February 2011, close to four years since the device first went on sale. But just one year later, the iconic smartphone quickly reached 200 million in sales. By then, of course, AT&T had lost its exclusivity. And quickly, before the end of 2012, the sales total reached 300 million.

The 400 millionth Apple iPhone was rung up in July 2013 and it is estimated that the 500 millionth iPhone was purchased on March 8th. Closing in on the ripe old age of 7, the Apple iPhone is still a force to be reckoned with. The last 100 million in sales took 2 to 6 weeks less to reach than the previous 100 million units did.

As for the 600 millionth iPhone to be sold, this milestone is expected to take place around the end of Apple's current fiscal year.


source: Forbes