Fourteen percent of US mobile phone users say they will be highly interested in buying an iPhone, while only sixty-four percent were even aware of it, according to M:Metrics. The real question, though, is how many mobile phone users will actually shell out the $499-$599 to purchase Apple’s latest gadget?

“This data confirms that the iPhone has sparked the imaginations of consumers and is not merely a topic of conversation among insiders and technology enthusiasts,” observed Mark Donovan, senior vice president and senior analyst, M:Metrics. “19 million Americans reported strong interest in purchasing an iPhone – an impressive figure, when you consider that the installed base of most high-end devices rarely approaches one million and respondents were informed of the price point as well as of the AT&T exclusive.”

Sure, we’re all interested in new gadgets; however, interests always change when it’s time to reach into our pockets and shell out the cash or choose between an iPhone, HD-DVD player, PS3, or a decent computer.

Consumers’ best bet is to hold off on the iPhone and wait for the price to go down, as it’s just a matter of time. iSuppli, applied market intelligence, notes that Apple’s iPhone costs an estimated 50% of its retail price, a strong indication that Apple will be reducing the price in the near future.

Not to mention, the iPhone’s high price tag gives Apple the advantage of selling its product to different market groups. Those who simply must own the iPhone from day one will be more than delighted to purchase it at a premium; afterwards, Apple will reduce the cost and sell the iPhone (while still turning a profit) to those who will only purchase it at a reasonable price.

So while 14% of U.S. users may express interest in the iPhone, realistically, only a fraction of those will probably be willing to pay for it.

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Entry was posted on Sunday, June 17th, 2007 at 7:16 pm under Apple.

Read more entries by George Gardner.
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