Apple's iPhone 5 could sell 10 million in first week, says analyst

Apple is expected to reveal its iPhone 5 at an event on September 12, and analysts are already speculating how big the newest iPhone could sell. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that the new phone could sell between 6 to 10 million units assuming an expected release date of September 21.

"We believe that if the 21st is the actual ship date, Apple could sell six million to 10 million iPhone 5s in the final week of September barring supply issues," Munster said in a note obtained by AllThingsD.

Apple is already expected to report iPhone sales of 22 to 23 million for the third quarter, but Munster believes the iPhone 5 could push that number between 26 and 28 million units.

In contrast, Samsung has announced that its flagship Galaxy S III smartphone has reached 20 million sales units in 100 days. Samsung was able to throw its weight around and have the same model of the Galaxy S III released on every carrier, much like Apple with its iPhones.

"The GALAXY S III has enjoyed tremendous attention and popularity since its launch in May, and we are thrilled with its success," said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "I would like to express my sincere appreciation to customers who have chosen the GALAXY S III. We will never stop providing the latest smart mobile technologies to help users live a life extraordinary."

In addition, Microsoft and Nokia showed off the Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 this week. The phones mark both companies' push into a market controlled by iOS and Android. A market Windows Phone 7 was unable to find a sizable place in.