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Apple sells more than 1 million iPhone 3GS
Brandon DavenportApple Inc said it had sold more than 1 million of its newest iPhone in the first three days of launch, beating analysts' expectations for the 3GS smartphone's debut.
The statement from Apple also included a quote from Chief Executive Steve Jobs, leading at least one analyst to speculate that this meant he was back from medical leave.
Jobs, a pancreatic cancer survivor, has been on leave since January for an undisclosed condition, although the company has said he remains deeply involved in decision-making. The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Jobs had a liver transplant two months ago, but he was expected to be back at work before the end of June.
"This is the first time we've heard from Steve Jobs since he reported he was taking medical leave," said Oppenheimer & Co analyst Yair Reiner. "It's a sign Apple has its CEO back."
Apple representatives were not immediately available for comment.
Shares of Apple rose as much as 1.5 percent in early trading before reversing course to trade down 1.1 percent at $137.96.
Analysts said the iPhone sales figures would distract some investors from concerns about Jobs' health to a certain extent.
"I think they'll focus on the 1 million number," said Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro. "Investors will realize that Apple executed well on the launch in Jobs' absence."
The 3GS debut was only in eight countries, he said, compared with 21 in last year's 3G launch [...]
