While iPhone X users seem to be loving their new phones, the uptake of Apple's 2017 crop isn't surpassing the success of the 6 and 6 Plus, it seems. A research firm surveyed a representative sample of iPhone buyers in the month ending December 3, and found out that X, 8 and 8 Plus accounted for 69% of Apple handset sales in the US, which is a far cry from the 91% that the 6 and 6 Plus commanded in the same period after they hit the shelves.
In fact, the uptake of newer iPhone models compared to older ones has been the lowest in recent years, as you can see in the graph here, at least in the US. Needless to say, the price and availability of the iPhone X might be better reasons to explain this phenomenon, rather than chalk it off to unexpectedly weak sales of the new iPhones.
Other research points to exactly that conclusion, predicting that Apple may pierce through the $700 average selling price of its iPhones for the first time this quarter. On the other hand, uptake in China has been very promising, with an RBC Capital Markets survey finding double the potential interest in getting the X among Chinese buyers, compared to US ones. China is one of the most important markets for the team from Cupertino, accounting for a fifth of the sales, so that level of interest bodes well for the next iPhone batches that the Apple is able to produce. Still, before Apple takes the stage at its quarterly results press conference, and announces the exact number of iPhones it sold, the guessing game will continue.
Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
COMMENTS (41)
COMMENTS (41)
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
PhoneArena Community Rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: