120 Million iPads Sold by the End of 2012?
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Another day, another iPad sales projection. Research firm iSuppli again revised its sales projections for the device, and expects Apple to sell 120 million iPads by the end of 2012, an increase of 20% since the last projection published by the firm back in July.
Despite slightly lower-than-expected iPad sales during the last quarter – Apple sold about 4.2 million iPads in three months while the market consensus was around 4.7 million – most research firms still strongly believe the iPad sales figures are poised to increase exponentially over time, as the iPad availabillity is improving by the day, and Apple is expanding its reach via retailers such as Walmart, Target, and even Verizon.
For 2010, iSuppli increased its sales estimates from about 13 million to 14 million. The firm also expects Apple to sell about 44 million iPads by the end of next year, an increase of 8 million when compared to July’s report. Finally, 2012 is expected to be a very strong year for Apple, as iSuppli increased its forecast by an additional 13 million units, pushing iPad sales in the 60+ million units range.
According to Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research “In its previous iPad forecasts, iSuppli noted that the only constraint on shipment growth now is production – and not demand. [...] The only factor limiting production is the availability of key iPad components, such as the Field Fringe Switching (FFS) LCD panels, projected capacitive touch screens and NAND flash. Despite ongoing yield issues, Apple’s suppliers have steadily increased monthly production to meet Apple’s demand. Production rates are now on target to meet the expected strong fourth-quarter sales.”
In other words, sales figures should naturally increase as the demand for the device remains strong, while the iPad supply chain is improving sharply.
