Mobile Magazine » sales figures

Decoding Serial Numbers Reveals 370,000 Nexus 4 Smartphones Sold

Michael Kwan — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:01:07 +0000

Google and LG haven’t been particularly forthcoming when it comes to the sales figures for the Nexus 4 smartphone, but a little snooping around seems to reveal that somewhere in the neighborhood of 400k units have been shipped and sold. I’m sure that if they increased production, that number could be much larger given the current demand.

So, how did estimates arrive at this number? The endeavoring enthusiasts on the XDA Dev forums have worked to crack the meaning of the serial numbers of their Android smartphones. Just as you can figure out what each position in the VIN of a car can mean–in terms of chassis code, country of origin, and so on–the same can be said about the smartphone.

For instance, the first digit of the serial number on an LG-produced Nexus 4 reveals the year of manufacture. A “2″ indicates 2012. The next two digits are the month, so “211″ would mean November 2012 as the manufacturing date. This is followed by a letter, with K indicating Korea and C indicating China; that’s for where the phone is made. A little further down the serial number is a three digit code indicating the unit’s position in that month’s batch.

The XDA people put all this information together and they’re estimating that 70k units were made in October, 90k in November and 210k in December. That adds up to about 370k. It’s noteworthy that some people found their phone was manufactured after they ordered it too. TechCrunch has a little more of a breakdown of the serial number too, if you’re curious about your Nexus 4.

[ Source ]

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BlackBerry PlayBook Launch Day Sales Figures Better Than Expected

Michael Kwan — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 04:21:54 +0000

The BlackBerry PlayBook isn’t exactly late to the party and its sales numbers from launch day are actually better than expected. But the bad news is that those sales numbers aren’t exactly huge either.

Mike Abramsky is the General Manager over at RBC Capital Markets and he estimates that RIM managed to sell about 50,000 PlayBook tablets on launch day, including pre-order sales. That’s more than what some analysts had predicted and, if the number holds true, it means the PlayBook did better on launch day than the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

However, we can also put these numbers in some stunning perspective. You know about a little company called Apple? Yeah, they pushed out half a million iPad 2 tablets on the first day. That’s ten times what RIM was able to achieve. We can take that comparison for what it’s worth, but there you have it.

In my brief time with the PlayBook at CES earlier this year, I must say that I was impressed with the true multitasking and the slickness of the QNX framework. It’s far from perfect, but the PlayBook should be able to hold its own in the increasingly popular tablet world. Stay tuned for a full review once we’ve put it through the ringer.

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Apple iPad 2 Launch Day: More Sales, Shorter Lines

Michael Kwan — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:49:34 +0000

Are you looking forward to Friday so you can go and buy the new iPad 2? Well, there’s some good news for both you and Apple. The good news for you is that shorter lines have been predicted for this launch compared to the first iPad. The good news for Apple is they’re expecting stronger sales for this launch day too.

How is this possible, you might ask? It almost sounds contradictory to expect greater sales figures with shorter lineups, but this is because there are “numerous new points of distribution” that should “dilute lines of people.”

Apple will sell more units, but spread out over more retail channels. Apple itself has fifteen more stores than it did during the first iPad launch, but the real kicker is the increase in other retail channels. The first iPad was available through about 1,100 Best Buy stores. The second iPad? Through more than 10,000 stores of other retail partners, including Walmart, Target, AT&T, and Verizon, as well as Best Buy.

And let’s not forget about the people who are skipping the lines by buying online, putting together group buys, and otherwise circumventing the “camp overnight and hang out with other iEnthusiasts singing Kumbaya” tradition of other iLaunches.

Oh and in terms of hard figures, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster says apple will sell 5.5 million iPads in the iPad 2′s launch quarter, outperforming the 3.27 million sales achieved by the first iPad in its launch quarter.

[via Apple Insider]

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Samsung sells 80 million mobile devices in Q4 2010

Michael Kwan — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:53:09 +0000

We all know that Samsung has been able to enjoy a fair bit of success with its Galaxy S line of Android smartphones, but we didn’t know that it was of record-breaking proportions. Well, the Korean giant is on cloud nine.

The financials have just come out for Q4 2010 and it seems that Samsung has busted several of its previous fiscal records. It has the most total revenue ($139 billion), most net income ($14 billion), and most operating profit ($15.5 billion). Pretty soon they’ll want a Scrooge McDuck-style money bin!

Not surpringsly, the smartphone arena contributed a great deal to this success. They sold over 80 million mobile devices, as well as two million Galaxy Tabs. The nearly 13 million flat panel TVs shipped certainly help too.

Years ago, Japan was the be-all and end-all when it came to primetime electronics (and reliable cars). That’s changing. South Korea is a force to be reckoned with, given the drastic improvements at Hyundai and Korea, as well as the huge growth enjoyed by Samsung. Competition. It’s good. Let’s just hope that Samsung does a little better with pushing out those Android updates in 2011, ‘kay?

Samsung Electronics Announces Fourth Quarter & FY 2010 Results

SEOUL–(Korea Newswire) January 28, 2011 — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced revenues of 41.87 trillion Korean won on a consolidated basis for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010, a 7-percent increase year-on-year. For the quarter, the company posted consolidated net income of 3.42 trillion won, a 13-percent increase year-on-year. Consolidated operating profit for the quarter was 3.01 trillion won.

In its earnings guidance disclosed on January 7, Samsung estimated fourth-quarter consolidated revenues would reach approximately 41 trillion won with an operating profit of 3 trillion won.

The fourth quarter results brought Samsung’s full year 2010 revenue to an all-time high of 154.63 trillion won, up 13-percent from last year. Net income reached a record high of 16.15 trillion won, up 65 percent compared with the previous year, while operating profit was 17.30 trillion won, also a record.

Samsung’s performance in the fourth quarter continued to be driven by memory semiconductors and strong sales of its cutting-edge smartphones. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, however, profit margins decreased primarily due to weakening pricing for memory semiconductors and LCD panels, as well as price competition in the TV market.

“Despite the difficult business environment including reduced IT demand caused by the economic slowdown, we achieved record-high results both in terms of sales and operating profit in 2010,” said Robert Yi, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Investor Relations Team. “However, considering overall business conditions, unlike 2010, we expect the traditional earnings pattern of a weak first half, with a strong second half to return in 2011.”

Samsung expected price competition to intensify in the consumer electronics, IT and mobile device markets in 2011, while major components prices are also forecast to decline. To offset pressures stemming from adverse market conditions, Samsung will focus on the cost competitiveness of its memory semiconductor portfolio, reducing marketing expenses and increasing shipments of high-end smartphones and tablet devices.

Samsung said the forecast continued appreciation of the Korean won during 2011 could have a negative impact on earnings, but the company’s diversified foreign exchange mix would limit the effect of movements in particular currencies.

Capex to Reach 23 Trillion Won in 2011

Capital expenditure on a consolidated basis reached 21.6 trillion won for the entire year of 2010, including 12.7 trillion won for the Semiconductor Business and 4.6 trillion won for the LCD Business.

In 2011, Capex is expected to reach 23 trillion won. As was announced in early January, 10.3 trillion won will be invested in the Semiconductor Business, including 5.8 trillion in memory and 4.2 in system LSI. A further 4.1 trillion won is allocated for the LCD Business, as well as 5.4 trillion won for subsidiary Samsung Mobile Display.

Premium Memory Makes a Difference

Samsung’s Semiconductor Business recorded a consolidated basis operating profit of 1.80 trillion won in the fourth quarter. Revenue reached 9.25 trillion won, a 16-percent increase year-on-year. For the full year 2010, the Semiconductor Business registered 10.11 trillion won in operating profit on revenue of 37.64 trillion won, a record-high.

Despite a weakening market trend, Samsung secured profitability by increasing the portion of high-margin products such as server and mobile DRAM, as well as by strengthening its market position with increased production of 40nm-class processes and below.

While the global DRAM market suffered from falling prices and weakening PC DRAM demand, NAND chips did well with help from surging demand for smartphones and tablet PCs. Samsung’s market differentiation strategy in the NAND sector was to expand production of 30nm-class processes and below.

The DRAM market is forecast to improve in the second half of the year driven by growth in PC replacement demand from businesses. Samsung will continue to focus on energy-efficient green memory solutions for servers and enhancing technology leadership to maintain the profit margin of the Semiconductor Business.

LCD Looks to Second Half for Rebound

The LCD Business recorded an operating profit of 0.10 trillion won on revenue of 7.20 trillion won in the fourth-quarter, down 1 percent from a year ago as increasing shipments could not offset price falls. For fiscal year 2010, Samsung’s LCD Business posted 1.99 trillion won in operating profit with 29.92 trillion won in revenue.

Overall unit sales for the period increased more than 10 percent quarter-on-quarter. While shipments for IT panels climbed supported by demand for tablet PCs, the fall in demand for TV panels was compounded by a buildup of inventory in the TV set market.

Average industry sales prices retreated across all segments in the fourth quarter. The average price for TV panels dropped 12 percent, with prices for monitor panels dipping 5 percent and notebook PC panels falling 3 percent.

Samsung forecasted LCD panel prices will remain low in the first quarter of 2011 due to supply outpacing demand. However, the company anticipated incremental demand increases in the second half led by the economic recovery and inventory restocking by set makers. Samsung aims to drive market growth with a new line-up of entry-level LED panels and explore the high-potential market for tablet PC panels.

Strong Smartphone Growth Powers Mobile Business

Samsung’s telecommunications businesses – Mobile Communications and Telecommunications Systems – registered a record quarterly operating profit of 1.44 trillion won for the period, up 38 percent year-on-year. Fourth quarter revenue reached 12.11 trillion won, compared with 10.17 trillion won for same period of 2009. By finishing the year strongly, Samsung achieved full year 2010 operating profit of 4.30 trillion won on sales of 41.20 trillion won for its telecommunications businesses.

Driven by strong year-end demand for the company’s flagship smartphones, Samsung’s mobile device sales reached 80.7 million units for the quarter, up 17 percent year-on-year. This brought total sales for the year to 280 million units, registering growth of 23 percent and outperforming the overall market.

Following its introduction in June, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S smartphone has achieved worldwide sales of 10 million units, while the Galaxy Tab – an Android-powered tablet device – attracted strong year-end demand. In emerging markets, Samsung’s diverse product mix of mass-market smartphones and touch-screen feature phones also registered solid sales growth.

While mobile device sales are expected to contract slightly in the first quarter of 2011 due to weak seasonal demand, Samsung forecast high single-digit sales growth for the year overall, driven by the fast-expanding smartphone and tablet segments. Samsung announced it will introduce the successor to its Galaxy S smartphone during the first half of 2011, featuring a dual-core processor and Super AMOLED Plus display to further enrich user experience. With its growing lineup, the company is targeting smartphone sales of 60 million units for the year, double that of 2010. In the tablet market, Samsung will complement its Galaxy Tab with a range of devices to optimally meet various user needs.

The Telecommunication Systems Business continues to strengthen its leadership in Mobile WiMAX and explore new business opportunities in Long-Term Evolution networks, cementing Samsung’s position as a total solution provider offering both infrastructure and devices.

Demand for LED TV to Get Stronger

Samsung’s Digital Media businesses, which encompass Visual Display, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging, posted quarterly revenues of 15.97 trillion won for the October to December period, up 3 percent year-on-year. The businesses registered a loss of 0.17 trillion won despite improved performance in TV and IT products. For the full year 2010, the Digital Media businesses’ combined revenue totaled 57.26 trillion, up 12 percent from 2009, with an operating profit of 0.49 trillion won.

Samsung shipped 12.72 million flat panel TVs in the fourth quarter, a 40 percent jump compared with the previous quarter and a 17 percent on-year increase. LED TVs sales grew strongly during the fourth quarter as consumers in developed markets continued to adopt this new technology. Market demand for LED TVs is forecast to rise further, with the portion of LED models in the overall LCD segment expected to reach 51 percent this year.

In 2011, market demand for flat panel TVs is forecast to increase 11 percent, helped by strong emerging market sales. To enhance profitability, Samsung aims to increase sales of premium products such as LED, 3D and Smart TVs. It will also market region-specific models along with low-cost models in emerging markets.

In order to allow more consumers to enjoy 3D TV, Samsung will expand its 3D TV line-up beyond the premium segment, while offering improved picture quality and 3D glasses technology. Samsung’s Smart TVs will get smarter this year by adding various new video and search features, and expanding its portfolio of TV apps from the current 400 to 1,000 by the end of 2011.

Sales revenue of the Digital Appliances Business climbed 16 percent year-on-year due to robust sales in developed markets and some emerging markets, such as Russia. Sales are expected to continue to expand in 2011 with the launch of differentiated products, while the business will expand and improve its overseas operations.

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iPad magazine subscriptions on the decline

Michael Kwan — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:56:07 +0000

When the Apple iPad first arrived on the scene earlier this year, some people said that it was not in direct competition with e-readers like the Amazon Kindle. In some regards, that is true, since the iPad costs so much more and can do so much more, but it’s also true that many people who choose to buy an iPad opt out of buying an e-ink based e-reader as a result.

One area where the iPad seems to have regular e-readers beat is in regards to magazines. This is partly because of the iOS touchscreen interface, but probably more likely because of the brilliant colors that the iPad can produce. You can’t imagine flipping through an issue of Cosmo in black-and-white, right? Well, early on, it seemed to be working. Wired’s debut iPad mag sold more than 100,000 issues back in June.

It looked like the iPad could be the magazine reader of the future, but then the bottom quickly fell out. According to more recent reports, Wired’s iPad mag only sold about 31,000 copies between July and September. That fell even further to 22,000 and 23,000 for October and November respectively. That’s less than a quarter of the launch number.

This phenomenon isn’t only being observed with Wired either. Vanity Fair has seen sales drop from the 10,500 in August, September, and October to just 8,700 copies of its November issue. Glamour has seen a drop of 20%, GQ has lost buyers, and so has Men’s Health, the last of which has experienced a 28% drop. Fewer and fewer people are buying digital magazines for the iPad.

Now, there could a bunch of different reasons why we’re seeing this “across the board” decline in iPad magazine sales. Maybe people are finding that staring at the iPad’s screen for so long can get very tiresome and they’ve fallen back to the dead tree editions of their favorite mags. Maybe people had to cut back on their magazine spending so they could afford holiday gifts. Maybe the “pay for an issue” business model no longer works. Or maybe we were all expecting the magazine to be like that amazing demo we were tantalized with back in February.

Or maybe the iPad just isn’t the magazine e-reader of the future that it was first thought to be.

The print magazine, just like the physical book, will still be around for several years to come, but I think that we’re in the middle of a shift. More books are being read on increasingly inexpensive e-readers like the Kobo and Kindle, but I think the “paid” magazine model might not work anymore in the face of countless free websites and blogs (like Mobile Magazine) that provide up-to-the-minute information that is arguably just as good as the big print mags.

What do you think? Do you still buy print magazines? Do you buy magazines on your iPad? Why and why not? Hit the poll below.

[poll id="7"]

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Five million Samsung Galaxy S smartphones sold worldwide

Michael Kwan — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:58:01 +0000

Many people have said that 2010 is the year of the Android and that is quickly coming to fruition, but Google isn’t the only one benefitting from the platform’s rise. It didn’t take all that long, but Samsung has just surpassed the five million unit milestone for its Galaxy S family of smartphones.

I’ve always thought of HTC as the leader in this realm, having released phones like the original G1 and the more recent Droid Incredible, but Samsung (and Motorola) have carved out some nice wedges of the pie for themselves too. It also helps that Samsung has multiple versions of the Galaxy S for different carriers, making the phone available to as many people as possible.

Remember that the first Samsung Galaxy S shipped only at the end of June, so five million phones sold in three and a half months is nothing to sneeze at. Of those five million, two million phones were sold in the United States, one million in Korea, and the remaining two million in other markets around the world.

If you’ve ever had the chance to gaze into the brilliant four-inch AMOLED touchscreen of a Galaxy S, you’ll understand its appeal. Take that, Retina display?

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