Magic number for iPhone in Russia: 3.5 million

iPhone has not been officially introduced to the Russian market, yet 600,000 Russians have been able to purchase the much coveted phone through unauthorized dealers.

Now that three mobile providers–Mobile TeleSystems, Vimpelcom, and MegaFon–are in talks with Apple regarding the official launch of the iPhone in Russia, that 600,000 figure is expected to increase, dramatically.  Apple claims that within the next two years, a projected 3.5 million iPhones will be sold in Russia.

The iPhone’s price tag will most likely read 24,000 Roubles ($990), less than the suitcase-and-courier providers on the streets of Moscow, yet much more than other authorized providers elsewhere. 

Source: Washington Post