By: Angela Soric
Analysts have reported that Apple is on track to sell 80 million+ iPhones in 2012 (not by 2012). Both Bernstein Research and RBC Capital Markets expect to see the overall Smartphone marketplace grow at a rapid pace over the next few years. Apple is expected to be the leader in sales.
Mike Abramsky, analyst with RBC Capital Markets, predicts that the iPhone sales will account for 5.7 % of the market by 2012, well up from the 1.1 percent overall share which is held today.
A recent survey (conducted by RBC) reports a total of 99% of 200 respondents say they are satisfied with their iPhone 3GS (with the AT&T service being its biggest pitfall).
“iPhone 3GS owners are a highly satisfied group, strongly loyal to Apple, and that Apple innovation (touchscreen, software UI, applications) is what continues to lure new buyers to its Smartphones,” the report reads. “The benefits to Apple for achieving this premium customer satisfaction include: strong pricing power, high customer lifetime value, powerful, inexpensive viral marketing (recommend to others), increased carrier channel leverage, indirect benefits to Apple’s other businesses (e.g. Macs).”
