30% of iPhone Buyers in Q4 2015 Switched From an Android Smartphone [Updated]

[Flow39]

After waiting too long for ATV 4, I bought Google Nexus player over the summer. I used it for Netflix mostly. at first Netflix has a bug that would deactivate and require login again when you turn on auto-play-next-episode. it took them over 2 months to fix. I thought it was just one incident. well, Google release Android 6.0 Marshmallow this month. guess what. Netflix broke again. when playing a movie, it buffers to 25% and gets stuck there. basically, it is unusable and useless. I understand that this is Netflix app but Google needs to make sure app, especially netflix, is polished because customers think the app ultimately runs on Google device.

I have ATV 2 and 3 for many years and rarely got bugs which got fixed within hours or days at worst.

at this point, it is very hard for me to buy any Google hardware.

I hear you, there is some instability with Google products. Being a Nexus Player and not a phone or tablet, I see why it took so long to fix the Netflix problem the first time. I'd place the blame on Netflix and their developer team rather than Google though, because Google can't be in control of every app on the Play Store. I don't blame Apple or iOS if a third-party app crashes quite honestly.

 

[oldmacs]

As long as they sell millions of 4.7" phones it's not worth the effort to design a new 4" phone and if they do you should only expect a spec upgrade to the 4C.

I don't give a damn how many phones they're selling, I'm just interested in them making a reasonable sized phone. You could justify them dropping the + model for the same reason - as long as they sell millions of the 4.7 model, its not worth the effort to sell the 5.5 inch model.

Apple is rolling in the dough, they can afford to put an upgraded logic board in the 5S body.

 

[mcarling]

I switched from iPhone 5S to iPhone 6S.. The size difference isn't radical, it's barely noticeable to me. It seems like an odd reason to not get a new phone if you like everything else about it.

If your hands are big enough that you can use an iPhone 6S one-handed, then I agree with you. However, the iPhone 6S is a two-handed phone for millions of iPhone users. Most people want a phone they can use one-handed.

 

[mcarling]

As long as they sell millions of 4.7" phones it's not worth the effort to design a new 4" phone and if they do you should only expect a spec upgrade to the 4C.

Compared to the dozens of millions of additional iPhones Apple would sell, the development costs to put iPhone 6 or iPhone 6S features into a 4" iPhone would be a rounding error.

 

[CEmajr]

If Apple want iPhone 5 and 5S users to upgrade, they're going to have to offer a 4" iPhone with features like Apple Pay and 3D Touch. There is obviously a lot of demand for the huge new iPhones, but there is also obviously a lot of demand for the medium-sized iPhones like the 5 and 5S. Probably no need to reintroduce smaller iPhones like the 4 and 4S.

They really don't. Take a look around and notice that no one makes premium phones the size of the 5s anymore. Those users will have to upgrade to a larger device or just keep their 5s until it falls apart and upgrade to a larger device anyway. The 5s is probably still the best 4" phone on the market so it's not like those people have anywhere else to go.

So Apple doesn't have to do anything but wait until they upgrade as they have no choice.

 

[oldmacs]

They really don't. Take a look around and notice that no one makes premium phones the size of the 5s anymore. Those users will have to upgrade to a larger device or just keep their 5s until it falls apart and upgrade to a larger device anyway. The 5s is probably still the best 4" phone on the market so it's not like those people have anywhere else to go.

So Apple doesn't have to do anything but wait until they upgrade as they have no choice.

Why? Why push people into phone sizes they don't really like?

Thats how Microsoft conducts its business(or well it used to). EG - We don't really like Windows x but we have to get it because another version of Windows is no longer supported, and we're stuck in the ecosystem.

Also whatever happened to think different? Take a look at the smartphone market - Apple are the only ones offering a phone running iOS - does that mean Apple should run Android on its phones, just because thats what the rest of the market do? Why can't Apple be different and offer a 4 inch phone, it would sell and if it doesn't then they can drop it again.

Methinks a lot of people hate the idea of a 4 inch phone, just because to them they see it as an admission that Apple was wrong in only bringing out the two larger sizes. Just like there were hoards of people were who protested a bigger phone, until Apple released one, when it became the best idea ever.

 

[Princejb134]

I have the Xperia Z3C and the Z2 tablet - it's such a liberating experience not having the manufacturer telling you just what you can and can't do. Add to this the Z3 is the equal of any iPhone as regards build quality (as attested to by many reviews) and all for a much saner price point. It's a win win.

Why are you here advertising a android phone? Are you getting paid? If not stay in your android forums

 

[mcarling]

They really don't. Take a look around and notice that no one makes premium phones the size of the 5s anymore. Those users will have to upgrade to a larger device or just keep their 5s until it falls apart and upgrade to a larger device anyway. The 5s is probably still the best 4" phone on the market so it's not like those people have anywhere else to go.

So Apple doesn't have to do anything but wait until they upgrade as they have no choice.

So you're suggesting that a very long upgrade cycle for people who like their 4" phones would not be a bad thing for Apple. LOL!

Please note that no one here is suggesting that Apple should stop making 4.7" or 5.5" iPhones. Why do so many people think Apple should stop making 4" iPhones?

 

[oldmacs]

Please note that no one here is suggesting that Apple should stop making 4.7" or 5.5" iPhones. Why do so many people think Apple should stop making 4" iPhones?

Because many people can't stand the though of any Apple decision being wrong.

And also some people can't process the fact that screen size is a highly subjective and personal thing. There is no objective 'Bigger screens are better', in the same way that 'the A9 processor is better than the A8 processor in terms of performance' for example.

 

[firewood]

30% of the people who use Apple's trade-in program to trade their Android smartphone get a new iPhone probably doesn't amount to a millimousefart compared to the total number of Android users.

Only if a mousef*rt is around 60 Billion people. More than the planet's human population.

 

[CEmajr]

So you're suggesting that a very long upgrade cycle for people who like their 4" phones would not be a bad thing for Apple. LOL!

Please note that no one here is suggesting that Apple should stop making 4.7" or 5.5" iPhones. Why do so many people think Apple should stop making 4" iPhones?

No just pointing out that those with the 5s and 5 will have to upgrade before Apple "has" to do anything in regards to releasing tiny phones again. They're still experiencing record breaking sales so it's not like the lack of a 4" device is hurting them.

Money makes Apple move and with the sales of these larger Iphones it's pretty clear that they're not being hurt by the few who think 4.7 is too large. You're grossly overestimating how many people are holding out for a new small iPhone. The sales of the 6 and 6s demonstrate that it's an insignificant number.

I'm not saying any size is better than the other. Just pointing out to you why a new small iPhone is highly unlikely.

 

[maxsix]

How come they didn't state the percentage of iPhone users that switched to a new Android phone? How come Tim didn't mention when iOS 9 iPhone users will finally get their contacts fixed? I've never seen a company who toots their own horn more than Apple.

Apples narcissistic self congratulating behavior is their legacy. It fits in ideally with how millenials were raised. Look at how much time they spend at each keynote bragging about their accomplishments. Look at how emotional and angry many people get in this forum when someone thinks for themselves and speaks out. Apple is about never being critical or risk being attacked.

 

[firewood]

They really don't. Take a look around and notice that no one makes premium phones the size of the 5s anymore. Those users will have to upgrade to a larger device or just keep their 5s until it falls apart and upgrade to a larger device anyway. The 5s is probably still the best 4" phone on the market so it's not like those people have anywhere else to go.

So Apple doesn't have to do anything but wait until they upgrade as they have no choice.

That means their strategy might be to wait until these people are so desperate that they will be willing to pay an even higher price to get a new premium 3.5" or 4" sized iPhone 8c. More AAPL gross margin and profits!

 

[firewood]

How come they didn't state the percentage of iPhone users that switched to a new Android phone?

Isn't that Samsung's (or Xiaomi's or Huwawei's) job? Why steal their thunder? Go listen in on those companies financial reports and see if you hear your number.

 

[Flow39]

Look at how emotional and angry many people get in this forum when someone thinks for themselves and speaks out.

Why are you here advertising a android phone? Are you getting paid? If not stay in your android forums

Would ya look at that

 

[bompf]

I do, thats one of the reasons i am sticking with my 5s.

The other reason is that the 6/6s just doesn't feel like a premium product, it feels more like an iPhone rip off. It looks and feels a bit cheap, not avery nice phone at all and not very desirable. I am not going to pay £539 for a 16gb phone that doesn't even look or feel top end quality, whereas the 5s just oozes quality with its glass and stainless steel construction, its still a beautiful phone and feels modern even though it is in its third year of production, and still pretty quick in use, never feels under powered.

I am hoping the 7 is a lot nicer to look at and has more of a premium build quality than the 6/6s. It's not all about power and gimmicky features, us non power users just want a nice phone.

Lol, the iPhone 6/6s are very premium phones and very nice to look at, much more so than the 5/5s. You must be deluded to think otherwise.

 

[LizardFace]

How come they didn't state the percentage of iPhone users that switched to a new Android phone? How come Tim didn't mention when iOS 9 iPhone users will finally get their contacts fixed? I've never seen a company who toots their own horn more than Apple.

Whose horn are they supposed to toot rather than their own?! Why would they possibly talk about that?

 

[appledefenceforce]

I feel that Google realizes their mistake of letting Android roam free and are now trying to take the reins back. I've noticed that Google has been pushing the Nexus phones heavily since the 6p and 5x came out. I've seen tons of very well-made ads on TV, and Google is pricing these phones VERY competitively. I think they want to push that laggy, bug-ridden stereotype of Android away and replace it with a stock, premium experience that will get people to see Android for what it really is and possibly even convert some iOS users.

I'm glad Google is doing this. This will force Apple to really compete with these new Nexus phones and the clean, fast builds of stock Android they come with.

The problem is that it doesn't matter how much faster Google can make their own apps run on Android, if third party apps are not as good as the iOS versions it's pointless. One of the main reasons why I switched back to iOS is the because third party apps are always ******** on Android, even Google's own apps.

 

[Z3man]

Lol, the iPhone 6/6s are very premium phones and very nice to look at, much more so than the 5/5s. You must be deluded to think otherwise.

Funny, you're the first person ever to say that, you are definitely the deluded one by a country mile, not even worth arguing about, try reading the thread first before you post.

 

[mcarling]

Money makes Apple move and with the sales of these larger Iphones it's pretty clear that they're not being hurt by the few who think 4.7 is too large. You're grossly overestimating how many people are holding out for a new small iPhone. The sales of the 6 and 6s demonstrate that it's an insignificant number.

70% of iPhone users have a 3.5" or 4" iPhone. 30% of iPhone users have a 4.7" or 5.5" iPhone. The sales of the iPhone 6 and 6S show that there was pent-up demand among a segment of the population for iPhones larger than 4". Sales of the iPhone 6 and 6S have not shown that there is not demand for 4" iPhones. The iPhone 5 continues to be a top ten phone in some markets despite being two years old.

 

[normanfox]

I hear you, there is some instability with Google products. Being a Nexus Player and not a phone or tablet, I see why it took so long to fix the Netflix problem the first time. I'd place the blame on Netflix and their developer team rather than Google though, because Google can't be in control of every app on the Play Store. I don't blame Apple or iOS if a third-party app crashes quite honestly.

I understand that it is Netflix app, not google. But it is fair to compare netflix on ATV and netflix on Nexus player. why Netflix on ATV works flawless for years while netflix on Nexus player can't even work? from consumer perspective, this would steer them toward Apple product more. This is not just a small app. Netflix is an app that people use the device the most for.

 

[fourthtunz]

Really? not something I recognise from Sony and the Xperia line. I think the real reason is because consumers are fickle. They like something new so will move from one phone to another on a whim. If Android release something that peeks interest then people will buy into that just as quickly. It's the way of business.

I have switched the other way and enjoy the freedom to do most anything I want with my Android phone. I did not have that same freedom with Apple.

and what would that be? as far as more freedom on android? Never had one so I'm curious.
Ive stayed on iPhone because more of the music software that I want comes out first on iPhone.
and I like the user experience.

 

[X38]

Exactly!

Cook touts the small number of oversized iPhone users as a positive, when it's really a negative. 67% of iPhone users are still on 3.5" or 4" iPhones. They are still using iPhones that are 2-8 years old.

Why Apple are ignoring the 4" market beggars belief. I guarantee that if they had brought out the iPhone 6 and 6s in 4" as well as the bigger sizes, their sales would have been significantly higher than they were, are and will be, Amen.

Well, I promise you that if there had been a 4" version of the 6S, they would have sold at least one more iPhone than they are going to this year.

 

[Tech198]

"Only one third of Apple customers have upgraded to an iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus, or 6s Plus, leaving two thirds of the company's customer base using older iPhones and ripe for a new iPhone."

well that's not very good... People like older iPhones better since their happy with them, why change just because a company is in that model of getting customers onto newer hardware ?

This again sheds light as always. Apple is thinking for us,,,, Users are unable to think for themselves with Apple, since we get sucked to marketing.

Probably reason why more Android switches is probably the default transfer in setup of iOS has allot to do with this.

I will probably upgrade but only if the 6 is no longer available anymore... i have zero reason to go to a 6s and no one can make me....besides its not just Apple, any manufacture stops make a phone anymore would force anyone to "upgrade" too, unless u buy off eBay or similar... so thats not really a way out. Parents are still on 5c and other family on 5.

 

[MacAndMic]

Did the report mention the amount of non-converts that moved to Android devices?