Tim Hardwick
New iPhone activations have fallen to the lowest level seen in the U.S. smartphone market in six years, according to a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).
While CIRP notes that Apple smartphone installations outnumber recorded activations, the numbers show that the share of new iPhone activations has fallen from 40%. up 33% over the past year, suggesting a shift away from the higher market shares Apple enjoyed in previous years.
Historically, while competitors like Blackberry phones and Windows Phone were more common, iPhone activations hovered around one-third. This figure rose steadily until the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when various factors contributed to a sharp increase in activity. However, Apple's iPhone share appears to have returned to its long-term average, with two out of three new smartphones now activated from Android devices.
CIRP suggests the decline is due to rising prices for modern smartphones as as well as better durability. While innovation has slowed, there has been a shift from two-year subsidized purchases to more transparent purchasing plans, encouraging consumers to keep their devices longer. This trend appears to be impacting iPhone sales more significantly than Android device sales, suggesting that Apple may have to adjust its strategy to regain market momentum.
The report covers A 12-month period ending each quarter. and includes data from CIRP's quarterly mobile phone customer survey. The goal of this approach is to eliminate seasonal spikes typically associated with new device launches and holiday sales, which the company says provides a clearer picture of current trends.
Tag: CIRP[ 142 comments ]
