I’ve never met Craig Berger. He’s an analyst for FBR Capital Markets, I imagine that if I was ever to play poker with him, his first call would be “all in”. This man of fantastic ambition, has declared the possibility that Apple could sell 250 million iPhone 5s during its lifetime.

To put that into perspective, Apple has only cumulatively sold 365 million iOS devices, devices, not iPhones, since its inception. A jump in sales this significant would see share earnings at $50 per share, representing a $47 billion profit.

Ker… wait for it … ching.

So, why the massive forecast? Well, in a word… China. Berger believes that Apple will soon be able to release the iPhone 5 on China Mobile, the worlds largest mobile carrier with almost 700 million customers. This potential market is something of a cash-dinosaur… I could have said cow, but I don’t think that does it justice.

Is this the next iPhone?

Berger also reckons that the iPhone 5′s expected innovations will help boost sales in markets where Apple’s current devices are already established.  I think we’re all expecting big things from the next iPhone, but these predictions are certainly pushing the envelope. Sales figures like that would definitely help Apple take over the world overbalance the books. Do you think he’s on target?

@TiP_Stephen