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Mar. 6, 2008

Apple said yesterday that it is maintaining its goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008, despite some industry analysts' claims to the contrary.

During Apple's annual shareholder meeting, CEO Steve Jobs reportedly said the company is very comfortable with its previously stated iPhone estimate of selling 10 million handsets globally by the end of the current year.

He also said the company had “plans in place” to reach this goal, but wouldn't offer any details.

In the last two weeks, shares in Apple have dropped as fears of an economic slowdown are becoming more emminent.

Concerns for Apple also center on unlocked iPhones. Apple has worked to reach exclusive carrier partners in most markets where the handset is on sale. Parts of its exclusive deals include revenue-sharing agreements.

Unlocked handsets cut into Apple’s projected revenue for the devices, because it isn’t benefiting from carriers’ service charges.

Yesterday, investment bank Caris & Company lowered its year projections for Apple, saying that it now expects the iPhone maker to sell 8.9 million units, instead of its previous 11.7 million expectation.

The investment analyst reportedly said that its adjustments reflect information coming from Asian handset suppliers, and that it expects Research In Motion to dominate the enterprise smartphone market for the year.

Reports of unlocked iPhones in India and China could hurt Apple’s sales in those countries, where it has yet to announce carrier partners.

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Source: Apple.

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