Apple iPhone 5S sales are more than double that of iPhone 5C numbers according to a new study by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
The group claims that since its launch in September the 5C accounts for just 27% of Apple smartphone sales, while the iPhone 4S is still managing a 9% share.
The company’s data matches fairly closely to numbers provided by analytics firm Localytics which reported a 3.5 to 1 lead for the iPhone 5S.
When the iPhone 5 launched it took 68% of new sales compared to the iPhone 5S which commands just 64% of new device sales. The iPhone 5 did not launch with a low-cost model to compete with which may explain its higher share of the Apple smartphone market upon launch.
CIRP cofounder Josh Lowitz told AllThingsD: “The relative performance of all three iPhones is generally in line with the performance of the similarly priced phones following the launch of the iPhone 5 in 2012… Over time, the lower-priced phones have tended to gain share versus the flagship phone, after the initial rush of dedicated upgraders to the newest device. So we expect that the 5C will account for a higher percent of total U.S. iPhone sales in the coming months, but the design changes may alter that dynamic.”
Traditionally Apple releases a major upgrade following the release of an “S” series device. For example the iPhone 4S led to the upgraded iPhone 5. There is the very real possibility that many consumers may simply be waiting for a full version upgrade before they jump ship.
Apple is also touting its new fingerprint capabilities and several hacks surfaced immediately following the devices release. Many Apple fans may simply be waiting for all the kinks to be worked out before they proceed with new technology.
In any case Apple was banking on attracting a new demographic to its smartphone line and with iPhone 5C sales failing to impress it looks as if the company may be stuck focusing on the higher-end niche for a while longer. However, emerging markets may find more value in the devices as new models are released and more effort is put into pushing the devices into those areas.
Do you think iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C sales should give Apple investors reason for concern?