Analyst: iPhone Shortage Not A Sign Of 3G Launch

Analysts covering the current shortage of iPhones have expressed differing opinoins. While Gene Munster thinks that it's a sign of the imminent release of a 3G iPhone, Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconagi thinks that there's a less exciting explanation for the shortage.

According to a report from Barron's earlier today, Sacconagi believes that the fact that AT&T stores in the U.S. do not seem to be having any supply problems is a sign that a 3G launch is probably not the cause. He also notes that there is no real reason for a sudden jump in demand for the iPhone to have occured, so that is probably not the cause either.

He thinks the shortage of iPhones is possibly related to a shortage of parts for Sony Ericsson a few weeks ago. If Sony ran low on parts, chances are so did Apple, which could cause the lack of iPhones now. If this was the case, then Apple most likely had to chose where to send the available devices, and AT&T may have taken priority.

"Apple’s distribution partners would likely be extremely upset if Apple managed the product transition only for its own stores," the analyst said. He continued, [that] "rules out that the stock-out is attributable to the imminent launch of a 3G phone, additional iPhone models or a price cut."

Of course, he still believes that there will be a 3G iPhone launched eventually, probably taking place around mid 2008.

[via Barron's]