Nexus One Sales Off to a Slow Start
PrintThere's one thing Google's Nexus One has in common with every other Android-powered smartphone: it's no iPhone killer. Sure, we could try to sugar coat it, but it's hard to see too much positive in a disappointing first month of sales in which there were only about 80,000 Nexus One units sold. By contrast, Apple sold eight times as many iPhones when the iPhone first debuted.
But the iPhone isn't the only measuring stick. Motorola's Droid, which is also an Android-device, sold about 525,000 units during its first month, according to analytics group Flurry Inc.
"What the Nexus One is really about is a new way of buying a phone," said Chief Executive Eric Schmidt in a recent conference call. "The Nexus One is simply the first of a series of examples where you can essentially purchase a phone online from one or multiple manufacturers and have it just work. We think that's a natural evolution of a particular model."
The problem with Schmidt's statement is the Nexus One didn't "just work" and instead made headlines because of 3G connectivity problems. And then there's Google's termination fees and the $529 asking price sans wireless plan. Existing T-Mobile subscribers can pick one up for far less ($179), but only if they're on an individual plan - those on a family plan aren't eligible for the reduced rate.
So where does that leave the Nexus One? In a tough spot, really. The sales numbers aren't anywhere near where Google would have liked, and that isn't likely to suddenly change anytime soon.
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cheezonline
February 10, 2010 at 3:32am
I own an iPhone first gen and i love it. But im getting so sick of the iPhone OS. I need a change. So i wanna try Android, i think is more fun and open than the iPhone and makes me want a Google Nexus One but i can't have one because i don't live in the US. I don't know if that move is a good idea or im going to get disappointed with the Android but my geek-o-meter says get a nexus!
anstosa
February 09, 2010 at 12:01pm
Why would you possibly want it on AT&T? First of all, T-Mobile has much better coverage than AT&T in my experience and since they started rolling out HSDPA in big cities, the 3G is really fast. AT&T is notorious for dropping the most calls, having the most bogged down network [thanks iPhone...] and really spotty 3G coverage. Second of all Verizon has the best network in the country. Hands down. Ask Cnet, Gizmodo, the Consumerist, Engadget, anybody. Verizon is the network you want.
fry
February 09, 2010 at 5:57pm
AT&T is fine in my area, and has always been fine in my experience. T-Mobile might be fine where I am, but I'm not paying an extra $10/mo. over AT&T for the basic 3G + voice service just to find out.
Verizon? I guess you don't travel much. CDMA networks are few and far between worldwide. I need a phone that actually works abroad (GSM). IF the Verizon Nexus One can handle both CDMA & GSM quad-band (unlikely), I'll consider it.
fry
February 09, 2010 at 11:43am
I'd own one now if it were available on AT&T. T-mobile's coverage is weak, and there's no way in hell I'm buying a CDMA phone (i.e., Verizon) in 2010.
Since I absolutely refuse to touch the iPhone, I'll have to wait until more GSM Android devices are available before getting rid of my old flip phone.
anstosa
February 09, 2010 at 10:50am
This article, like many others concerning sales of the Nexus One is misinformed and completely misleading. Yes, the Nexus One has not sold as many phones as others in it's class. That wasn't the point. This phones was launched as a phone for developers, enthusiasts, and as a pilot phone for the Google Phone Store. It was never intended to be a mass market device. At least not at launch. They have sold more Nexus Ones than they expected. Erick Tseng talked about this in depth on the latest Engadget Show.
Most importantly, what I think reporters are completely ignoring is the fact that Google put 0 advertising dollars behind the Nexus One. They only advertise on their own sites. It was on the Google homepage for less than a week and there are a couple ads on youtube. That is it. Apple put $200 Million in advertising behind the iPhone on TV, newspapers, and online. Verizon spent an estimated $100 Per Droid in advertising at launch.
I completely agree that the Nexus One is not a perfect phone, and like any other it was not free of problems at launch. But please stop comparing the sales numbers because they are completely irrelevant.
tolian49
February 09, 2010 at 10:46am
The phone is only currently available for T-Mobile. Don't you think sales would have been higher if it'd been on Verizon, AT&T, or even Sprint? This phone just doesn't justify switching carriers.
savior
February 09, 2010 at 10:32am
I have the nexus one, and I enjoy it. It being my first touch screen ever, I dont noticed what other people have complained about. There new update enables multi touch screen, and who needs 300,000 apps? android apps work just as good as iphone's.
I think people are just use to the iphone. Thats all you hear on tv now and days...iphone apps. Android has never anything about android's. Marketing for nexus one and other android phones compares nothing to the iphone marketing.
I have little to complaints about the nexus one, they could improve sound for ringing and messaging, i have missed many calls and messges due to the low volume of the speakers. Thats about it.
Its going to be hard to beat the iphone, its been out longer, and had little to no competition for a long time
AntiHero
February 09, 2010 at 10:31am
It only sold 80,000 units for a reason. Availability in one country natively and only a few bands supported. If i were to buy one it wouldn't work properly where I live due to the bands available on the phone.
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