Apple's iPhone Brings Margin Magic

Apple announced the 3G iPhone on June 9 and said it will available to consumers starting July 11.

iSuppli expects the 3G iPhone's manufacturing costs will fall further as component prices decline. The cost of the second-generation iPhone to Apple will decrease to $148 in 2009, down 37% from $173 in 2008, said the firm.

Shares of Apple were down 50 cents, or 0.3%, to $172.64 in recent trading.

Apple's smartphone rival Research In Motion(RIMM Quote) will report its first-quarter earnings after market close Wednesday.

RIM is set to launch the BlackBerry Bold, its answer to the 3G iPhone, next month.