Remember when Apple's iPhone profit margins were all the rage? Well, not any more.

If the price drop on the 3G model didn't convince you that the company was selling the handsets at a much smaller profit, the latest iSupply estimates on the T-Mobile G1 handset should do the job.

The company estimates that the two handsets contain nearly identical markup levels. While the 8GB iPhone costs $160 to build and retails for $200, the G1 costs some $144 to build and costs $180 on the street.

So, if you're worried that Apple's gouging you for the privilege of owning an iPhone, no need to worry.

It also goes to show just why the Mac and iPod units remain the overwhelming source of profits for Apple.

12 Nov 2008