Seeking Alpha summarized findings by MacObserver forum members compiling iPhone IMEI numbers.

According to the summary, it would appear that Apple has already reached 10 million iPhone sales for 2008. According to the sequential Type Allocation Codes (TAC), Apple has manufactured 9.2 million iPhone 3Gs. When combined with the 2.4 million 1st generation iPhones sold earlier this year, it puts them well above the 10 million mark even with over a million 3G iPhones remaining in the sales channel.

SeekingAlpha notes there are a few assumptions that may introduce some level of error into these estimates: The number of handsets sold versus manufactured depends on a many factors such as the amount of inventory Apple carries in its stores, defects that were destroyed, defects that were sold and then exchanged, display models etc.

The goal of 10 million iPhone sales in 2008 has been Apple's stated goal when first announced the iPhone in January 2007.