Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, LLC (CIRP), today released research on the installed based of iPhones in the US.
CIRP finds that as of the end of the March 2015 quarter, 94 million iPhones were in use in the US, including 25 million iPhone 6 and 13 million iPhone 6 Plus models.
Josh Lowitz, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP, said in a statement, “Our estimates indicate that 40% of US iPhone owners have upgraded to an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. We see 56 million US iPhone owners with older models who are potential upgraders.”
By analyzing data on iPhone buyers, their new model selection, and their prior phones, and overlaying Apple iPhone sales data adjusted to the US market, CIRP estimates the number and model of iPhones in use each quarter.
“The data shows the strength of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch,” said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP, in a statement. “We estimate that a combined 38 million of these flagship phones sold in the US from the September 2014 launch through March 31, 2015. For comparison, the iPhone 5S sold about 18 million in the same period in 2013 – 2014. At this point, there are 26 million iPhone 5S models still in use, but these phones are at most 18 months old, so owners will only begin to upgrade them in the coming quarters.”
“There are still 8 million iPhone 4S phones, dating back to 2011, in use,” continued Lowitz. “While they are ripe for upgrade, many of these consumers have owned their iPhone 4S for only a fraction of its three and a half years on the market. The size of this upgrade cohort, relative to the number of new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units sold, suggests that the coming quarters may prove challenging for Apple in the US.”
CIRP bases its findings on its March 2015 survey of US Apple customers. CIRP samples 500 customers that purchased an Apple product (iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer) in the preceding quarter.
Source: Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, LLC
In September when the new model comes out, the iPhone 6/6+ will be discounted. That will be interesting.
Has that EVER happened before with Apple products? Perhaps you are confused with the subsidies offered by the telcos. Apple only discounts the refurbs or discontinued products. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will still be in production just like all the iPhones were kept in production for about a year after the introduction of the new iPhones.
Actually, almost from the beginning, Apple’s standard practice was to keep the same price for the new model and to offer the old model at hundred dollar discount.
So, about 1 out of every 4 men, women and children in the US. Excluding some of the total population, like children under 5 who probably don’t have their own phones yet brings the number up even more. Where, exactly is the Android dominance?
Apple is doomed or something. Android is taking over the entire market! Jump ship while you can. When will the population of the US investors realize the writing on the wall and quit saying or believing the FUD out there.
Investors will never see the strength of iOS. Those greedy hedge fund managers are dumping Apple and you watch institutional ownership of Apple fall while those big investors are swearing how Google and Microsoft are better growth investments than Apple. The FUD will continue to be believed without question. Look everyday for useless articles asking, “Is it time to sell Apple?”
Where is the Android dominance? It’s at the bottom of the smartphone barrel in all countries and Wall Street thinks that platform is hot sh*t because it’s cheap and has high market share numbers. Android dominance, my ass. It’s a crazy quilt platform.
I just replaced my 5 with a 6+, a very cool machine indeed.
The 5 will go to my sister who wants a navigation system for occasional long trips. I had its battery replaced today, turned out to be just in time as it was starting to bloat. Now the 5 will start a second life.
My old 4S lives on as my work phone with a SIM issued by my school. I have lots of gear it fits into, so I’ll keep it as long as it will last. Had its battery replaced too.
Don’t these numbers seem odd to you? 330,000,000 people in the US. We do have children in this country, people who can’t afford cell service, especially with data plans, people that use android and windows based phones, people that don’t want a cell phone.
Doesn’t these numbers just seem odd as all get out.
Hum. Borrowing money to pay money to shareholders, all for the sake of not paying taxes.Hum?
These numbers just feel inky.
Isn’t the Swiss’ economy do well? Has it been kind of steady, no swings into depression or inflation? Don’t they have a tax rate of 35%. Hum?
Ah, yes; a sniff test. There are just under 320.9 million people in the US with about 1% over 80 and 9% under 13. That leaves 90%. The US poverty rate is about 15%; that means ~13.5% of the 90% probably can’t afford an iPhone. Now we’re down to 76.5%; that’s 245.5 million. So, out of *every* 5 people in the USA, you’d expect to see 2 iPhones.
Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable. ― Mark Twain
These types of analyst articles always seem to end up with a negative outlook for Apple. Of 95M iPhones current in use in the U.S., roughly 38M are iPhone 6/6+ models. Therefore, since Apple has been so successful recently, it must hit a rocky patch soon.
Apparently, this analyst does not believe that Apple will sell iPhones outside of upgrades to its own user base. Android switchers will help to maintain sales of the iPhone 6/6+ and future iPhone models.
In addition, it should be noted that international sales, particularly China, are growing and will help to offset any potential weakness in the U.S.
It should also be noted that the Apple Watch will likely spur iPhone sales for upgrades, switchers, and new users. There is a large crop of youngsters hoping to get an iPhone soon.