Analysts: Apple's Q4 iPhone sales could go flat following the launch of the iPhone 6S series

posted by Mihai A. / Jun 05, 2015, 10:19 PM

Analysts: Apple's Q4 iPhone sales could go flat following the launch of the iPhone 6S series

According to Wells Fargo analysts Maynard Um, Munjal Shah and Jason Ng, Apple will sell about as much iPhones during the fourth quarter of 2015 as it did back in Q4 2014. If this estimate turns out to be accurate, this will be the first time that Apple doesn't sell more smartphones in the quarter following a new iPhone launch compared to the same period a year before.

Allegedly, Apple is now reaching the maximum number of carriers that it can partner with to sell the iPhone. The analysts estimated that Apple currently has deal in place with 414 carriers across the globe, carriers that are said to account for a whopping 95 percent of all the mobile subscriptions on the globe.

In the past years, Apple routinely expanded its reach to new countries and new carriers, driving sales of its iPhone line-up. The most recent - and probably the most notable - example of this strategy is the iPhone's launch in China this year, which was the main reason why Apple was able to sell 61.2 million iPhones during Q1 2015. As the situation stands now, the analysts suggest that the only way Apple can continue to increase iPhone sales is by digging deeper into the mobile subscriber base of its current partners.

Based on the details mentioned above, the Wells Fargo analysts believe that Apple's iPhone sales during Q4 2015 will flatten year-on-year compared to the same period the year before. Don't worry about Apple's financial success though: selling about 74.5 million iPhones in three months has generated immense profits for the manufacturer in 2014, and Apple's profit margin on the iPhone series isn't likely to go down with the launch of the iPhone 6S series.

Speaking of the iPhone 6S, a recent leak showed that the smartphone might be scheduled to launch on September 25th, with pre-orders said to start on September 18th.

The best-selling iPhone to date

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source: FierceWireless

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27 Comments

1. waddup121 unregistered

definitely can, definitely will.

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 10:35 PM 0

2. CreeDiddy

Posts: 2146; Member since: Nov 04, 2011

These are all predictions without concrete evidence. I believe they will shown growth 4th Qrt. Many reasons are due to current 5 and 5S owners will be able to upgrade. Many of those who are frustrated with their Android devices will upgrade to the 6S. A small percentage of 6/6 Plus will upgrade to the newest technology. Carriers will run specials for Edge, Next, Jump, Easy Pay customers. Factor in Apple Watch with Force Touch and that feature alone will sell them to the 6/6S Plus. If I'm wrong this article should be way off... So to say growth won't be there

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 10:50 PM 0

14. UglyFrank

Posts: 2193; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

That's what they all say. The only people frustrated with android devices are people who have old low end/mid range devices

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 6:46 AM 0

17. Ruturaj

Posts: 1484; Member since: Oct 16, 2014

And some are frustrated because there bootloader is locked.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 7:54 AM 0

19. PatriotOverGod929

Posts: 14; Member since: Jun 05, 2015

hmm let's see I have a low end Android 4.4kitkat device powered by MTK mt6582 1.3ghz quad core processor and 1GB ram and I am really really satisfied don't even get me started on lag because this device runs buttery smooth with no lag or whatsoever believe it or not it is true so about that frustration.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 8:22 AM 0

18. PatriotOverGod929

The only ones who are going to be frustrated are the ones with iphones

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 8:14 AM 1

3. BobbyBuster

Posts: 854; Member since: Jan 13, 2015

Yes, the market is saturated, a zero-sum game has begun. And Android OEMs will die like flies. Winter is coming.

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 11:07 PM 2

4. tedkord

Posts: 17311; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

It's sure is saturated, with Android. 80% market share!

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 11:09 PM 4

10. stealthd unregistered

80% market share. . . with only 1 single company (Samsung) making a profit. Sounds like a lot of failure.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 4:11 AM 1

15. UglyFrank

You know that isn't true, they are making the majority of profit but other companies make profit too.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 6:50 AM 2

25. androtaku

Posts: 246; Member since: Dec 12, 2013

haters like to bang on the big numbers too retard to see the hidden meaning

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 11:53 AM 1

26. tedkord

Well, first that BS. Several are making a profit, just not nearly as big as Samsung. And it can't be a failure when 8 out of every 10 buyers choose an Android phone. Even here in the US, Apple's home country where you can get an iPhone for free on contact, Android is chosen more often.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 12:04 PM 1

9. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Go back to sleep in your cave, it was good while "you" werent here

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 2:12 AM 3

11. BadBlood

Posts: 2; Member since: Jun 06, 2015

Before Android, there's Windows phone that will die first

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 4:50 AM 0

12. hound.master

Posts: 1044; Member since: Feb 27, 2015

I always wondered why you don't get banned since you always trolling Android. Well sheeps never change specially Android headed ones.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 4:54 AM 2

23. BobbyBuster

Why should I get banned?

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 9:02 AM 2

27. tedkord

Because you're a troll. But I assume the Americans with Disabilities Act covers mental retardation, so you're probably safe.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 12:05 PM 2

21. PatriotOverGod929

The only one who is going to die like a fly is you and Apple.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 8:26 AM 1

22. PatriotOverGod929

The only one who is going to die like a fly is you douche bag

24. vergil9

Posts: 517; Member since: Apr 06, 2015

Do you love apple? If you do, why are you generating more apple haters? Please explain.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 10:51 AM 1

5. darkkjedii

Posts: 30969; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

TBH, this is expected. It happens each year.

6. maherk

Posts: 6773; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Actually, it happens every 2 years, only when the -S model is released. The 3G, 4, 5, and 6 has had a record sales figures when released.

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 11:23 PM 3

7. aba71983

Posts: 807; Member since: Jul 24, 2014

I don't see that in any S-model or Note-model.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 2:07 AM 0

8. maherk

By -S model , i meant the iPhones 3gS, 4s, and 5s.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 2:11 AM 2

16. UglyFrank

This is the moment where you log out of the website.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 6:51 AM 2

20. slannmage

Posts: 289; Member since: Mar 26, 2013

Funny because the S model is always the best one, when the integer model comes out, internally it is never much of a leap.

posted on Jun 06, 2015, 8:23 AM 0

28. spasticpat

Posts: 109; Member since: Dec 18, 2012

"According to Wells Fargo analysts Maynard Um, Munjal Shah and Jason Ng, Apple will sell about as much iPhones during the fourth quarter of 2015 as it did back in Q4 2015" How can it sell as may iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2015 as it did "back in Q4 2015" aren't those the same?