BlackBerry Overtakes iPhone as Bestselling U.S. Smartphone in Q1

[bruinsrme]

Keeps Apple on their toes and lets them realize that price DOES matter. Having said that, they'll clean up with iPhone 3.0.

I agree, introduce the pre then suddenly apple acknowledges the phone is more than capable to do such things as MMS, video recording and other things RIM and lesser cell phones can currently do. But yet the jailbroken community seems to have figured out a few more things ahead of apple. Wonder what the JB community reported for their last quarter

 

[aristobrat]

My speculation rests in Apple shipping iPhones for various uses, then when those iPhones are finally "sold" Apple counting them as sold units....

If you read the actual NPD press release this thread is based upon, you don't need to speculate at all. NPD did all of the speculating based on a survey of 150,000 consumers, and didn't include corporate/enterprise sales at all, which would have been more of a boost to RIM.

Basically, ... how Apple reports its iPhones sales don't factor into NPD's rankings.

Methodology: The NPD Group compiles and analyzes mobile device sales data based on more than 150,000 completed online consumer research surveys each month. Surveys are based on a nationally balanced and demographically representative sample, and results are projected to represent the entire population of U.S. consumers. Note: Sales figures do not include corporate/enterprise mobile phone sales.

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_090504.html

 

[bruinsrme]

I posted a few negative things about the iphone. don't ge me wrong I like it but my biggest dilike of the iphone is how apple could do so much more with it but elects not to.

If i could open andedit MS docs that would be huge. Soon tho

 

[Digital Skunk]

If you read the actual NPD press release this thread is based upon, you don't need to speculate at all. NPD did all of the speculating based on a survey of 150,000 consumers, and didn't include corporate/enterprise sales at all, which would have been more of a boost to RIM.

Basically, ... how Apple reports its iPhones sales don't factor into NPD's rankings.


http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_090504.html

You have officially shut me up about that topic.

It is interesting to note that NPD is doing speculation based on such a small number though. Not trying to cast doubt on the numbers, but I would've thought going to the source (the companies) would have been a better and more accurate move.

 

[shipwrecked]

not if your contract isn't up till december

Or just buy the refurb from AT&T for $99...

I've contemplated getting an iphone for a while but ATT's policy is what it is. If I purchase an iphone before my contract is up, I can count on spending $599 for the 8GB model. In the meantime, I'm looking for other alternatives. No, you can't even purchase the $99 refurb if you are a current ATT customer.

 

[gkarris]

I've contemplated getting an iphone for a while but ATT's policy is what it is. If I purchase an iphone before my contract is up, I can count on spending $599 for the 8GB model. In the meantime, I'm looking for other alternatives. No, you can't even purchase the $99 refurb if you are a current ATT customer.

I thought the early upgrade price is $399, $599 is for a no-contract phone.

Well, that leads to BB being more popular, you can go to any provider and get one, and not be stuck to AT&T's lovely pricing schemes...

 

[benpatient]

It's $99 that's why, many people unlike us here at MR look at price first before they look at the phone, that's why Apple needs to come out with an iPhone Lite for $99 with the same specs as the current 3g but thinner.

naw, that's not it.

I just checked my upgrade options at att.com, and I can get a refurbished 8GB iphone G3 for 99 dollars, or a refurbished BB Storm for $99, both with contract renewal.

 

[polaris20]

I just love how all the fanboys comes out and droves the 2nd the iPhone is not number one making excuse X and Y.

it is the same way when there is a new trojan for OSX. They scream not a virus yet at the same time the same thing on windows they scream "Virus look at the new Virus. Windows is so insecure"

Face the facts iPhone hype is wearing off.

So the fact that the Curve is a 1/4 the price has nothing to do with it? Have you used a Curve? an iPhone? I have a BB Curve for work and an iPod Touch. The iPhone/iTouch OS is lightyears ahead. Even if I used Windows 100% of the time, I'd still rather have an iPhone than any other smartphone.

I do however look forward to the Pre to see how it is.

 

[shipwrecked]

I thought the early upgrade price is $399, $599 is for a no-contract phone.

I thought so too until I tried to upgrade online. I even called their customer service to double check and beg for the early update price but to no avail. ATT did offer a more reasonable refurb price for current ATT customers a few months ago- $199 for the 8GB model.

 

[benpatient]

If I purchase an iphone before my contract is up, I can count on spending $599 for the 8GB model. In the meantime, I'm looking for other alternatives. No, you can't even purchase the $99 refurb if you are a current ATT customer.

incorrect. You can only order 1 at a time, and you have to do it online, but you most certainly can get an iphone for 99 bucks if you're an att customer. I can take a screenie if you really don't believe me. (update: screenie attached)

I guess they just don't like you?

 

[polaris20]

With MS developing a copy cat of itunes things will start getting interesting. Especially since most corporate networks are windows based. Suddenly, syncing and accessing MS docs, email, and other goodies won't be apple exclusive

I won't hold my breath. I'd still take any BB over a Windows Mobile phone, any day of the week. Windows Mobile is atrocious.

 

[shipwrecked]

I checked my upgrade options but no $99 8GB

naw, that's not it.

I just checked my upgrade options at att.com, and I can get a refurbished 8GB iphone G3 for 99 dollars, or a refurbished BB Storm for $99, both with contract renewal.

That's strange because I checked my upgrade options today and no iphone for $99. Maybe ATT offers are different for each customer?

 

[benpatient]

That's strange because I checked my upgrade options today and no iphone for $99. Maybe ATT offers are different for each customer?

I'm sure they are, based on your current contract situations. I've not gotten a new phone for 3 years because I'm waiting for something better than the SLVR, and it hasn't shown up yet.

I need an iphone in the form factor of the slvr, and then I'll bite...

see the screenshot i added to my last post...

 

[shipwrecked]

incorrect. You can only order 1 at a time, and you have to do it online, but you most certainly can get an iphone for 99 bucks if you're an att customer. I can take a screenie if you really don't believe me. (update: screenie attached)

I guess they just don't like you?

Wow. They really don't like me. Thanks for the screen capture.

 

[rodkill]

lame

Along time ago in a galaxy right under your nose, before the iPhone, when all we had were BBs I remember that some times I would go through 3 of those miserable fugly featureless pieces of crap in a year.

They come out with 10 freaking models per-year and my company used to get each upgrade practically for free. They probably don't account for that in the data. We used to get box loads every few months.

I bet this press release artificially inflated RIMS stock though, there should be some investigation on these claims.

Wake me up when RIM sells a billion apps.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I won't hold my breath. I'd still take any BB over a Windows Mobile phone, any day of the week. Windows Mobile is atrocious.

The truth is!


We can all agree on that. And after looking at some supposed screen shots of Windows Mobile 7 it doesn't look like it's going to change.

 

[cwwilson]

Ok, so RIM sold more phones. They are selling their phone from how many carriers? Oh wait, I thought the Storm was suppose to be the iphone killer?

^THIS.

Also is anyone really surprised. With all the talk about the new iPhone coming out and the fact that RIM has 6 or 7 different Blackberry models I don't think this means much at all. Lets see when the new iPhone is released as well as the Pre.

 

[Beric]

This can't be anything but good news. Apple will be simply forced to innovate ever so much more to regain control, and consumers everywhere will benefit.

 

[Blue Fox]

"Best Selling" doesn't mean "Best Satisfaction". Just about everyone I know that has a Blackberry (whatever flavor) either hates it or refers to it as the "Crapberry". Apple iPhone was rated #1 smartphone in Customer Satisfaction, which matters. Apple needs to do nothing other than to continue what they've been doing.

I relate "best selling" to movie theaters. Spiderman 3 SUCKED as a movie, yet it was the "#1 Boxoffice Hit" at the time.......doesn't mean it was good, just means that a lot of people were suckered into paying money to see it.

 

[ChadJK]

It's really this simple:

In the US...

You can get a Blackberry and use it with AT&T, Sprint, Verizon/Alltel, etc.

You can get an iPhone and use it with AT&T.

 

[seedster2]

I love how fanaticism can spin any news.

BB and iPhone will always be exchanging the top spot due to different release schedules, models and carriers. I see no need to get defensive or be alarmed.

Im sure VZN BOGO promotion helped pad a portion of their sales, but it's ridiculous to attribute their success to Verizon alone.

Also where was all the data parsing when apple was promoting refurb units at ATT & Apple.com when tabulating their record sales numbers?

When will posters start displaying rationality. Apple doesnt need your defense in every instance of unfavorable news.

 

[pdxflint]

You have officially shut me up about that topic.

It is interesting to note that NPD is doing speculation based on such a small number though. Not trying to cast doubt on the numbers, but I would've thought going to the source (the companies) would have been a better and more accurate move.

Didn't you just get done arguing that Apple skews the numbers by reporting exchanges, etc as new sales? And now you're suggesting they would have provided more accurate numbers? I'm just trying to make sure I get your point straight here...

 

[rhpenguin]

Even if I used Windows 100% of the time, I'd still rather have an iPhone than any other smartphone..

I use Mac OS X 100% of the time and I prefer Windows Mobile 6.5. Taste is subjective.

Let it slide.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

So the fact that the Curve is a 1/4 the price has nothing to do with it? Have you used a Curve? an iPhone? I have a BB Curve for work and an iPod Touch. The iPhone/iTouch OS is lightyears ahead. Even if I used Windows 100% of the time, I'd still rather have an iPhone than any other smartphone.

I do however look forward to the Pre to see how it is.

hmm so that is the argument.

I have read no less than 4 different excusses so far. As far as I can see all the apple fan boys come out the 2nd that something goes out keeping them from being number one.

Flip it and have the iphone number 1 only because it was BOGO then you would see everyone scream it is number one and if some one pointed out it was because it was BOGO. Watch the flames fly.

Simple fact of the matter is iPhone is not the number 1 smart phone. Hell it is not even a good business phone. Apple fan boys will can not stand it when the truth hits...

 

[j26]

My question is whether RIM flooding the smartphone market with cheap Blackberries will take the gloss of the next iPhone revision. After all we're in a recession and if people have a phone that's "good enough" they may well stick with it and give the next iPhone a miss. If that happens, the next iPhone could end up looking like a flop, despite its technical excellence.

Could it be a clever marketing plan to get Blackberry back in the running in terms of market mindset?