In an interview with CNBC, Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, described Apple's iPhone as "the most expensive phone in the world." He expressed skepticism regarding its appeal to business users due to the absence of a keyboard, which he believed was essential for productivity. Ballmer's remarks highlighted a common misconception at the time about consumer preferences and how technology was evolving.

Despite Microsoft's doubts, the iPhone's success was undeniable. By the end of 2010, Apple had sold 90 million units of the device, capturing over half of the worldwide cell phone market's profits. This substantial achievement illustrated Steve Jobs' foresight and innovative approach, which ultimately transformed the mobile phone industry.