According to Berstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi, Apple lost up to $400 million in future revenue and profit from the 300,000 to 400,000 unlocked iPhones.
Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital Markets, estimated that 25 percent to 30 percent of iPhones are now unlocked but noted that the handsets may be "a headache for carriers, [they] are financially positive for Apple, and in our view bode well for global iPhone demand, and for Apple exceeding its 10 million, 18-month target."
Of course, last March, Harvard Business School professor David Yoffie estimated that Apple generated $400 million in free publicity [1] for its iPhone prior to its launch. So, let's call it even.
For more on Apple's unlocked iPhones:
- check out this article [2] from Cellular-News
ALSO: iPhone rumors suggest Spain, Italy and Switzerland to be served next. Article [3]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/iphone-generated-400m-in-free-publicity/2007-03-12
[2] http://www.cellular-news.com/story/28909.php
[3] http://www.intomobile.com/2008/02/02/february-iphone-rumors-point-to-spain-italy-switzerland-getting-apple-iphone.html