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

[oldmacs]

Notice, I didn't say everyone. If you read my post before going into 4" defense mode. Yes, of course there are people who genuinely prefer smaller phones and I respect that. However, I stand by my post. I still a significant portion of the people complaining about the size of the 6/6S are only complaining because it's a change without actually trying out the phone.

I still maintain thats not true. I did read your post.

Until Apple actually offers an iPhone in all three sizes in one series, we won't truly know where people's preferences are. I'd suggest in that case that the 4.7 would be the biggest seller and the 4 and 5.5 would both have similar sales numbers.

But at the end of the day, there are even plenty of people who bought a 4.7 inch iPhone and would prefer a 4 inch phone, and as I said before, Apple should be focused on the best experience for customers, rather than just looking at sales numbers. A person who prefers a 4 inch iPhone, but buys a 4.7 inch iPhone as they're locked into the ecosystem or other reasons, then that person is not going to be as satisfied as if Apple offered them a more suitable size.

I can almost guarantee that a 4 inch iPhone would sell. Apple was willing to spend money developing an update for the iPod Touch, even though it sells in such few numbers, and a 4 inch iPhone would sell more than that.

 

[satcomer]

I hear from some real life Android users they are pissed that they can't upgrade their phone software even though it was only three months old!

 

[iphonedude2008]

I hear from some real life Android users they are pissed that they can't upgrade their phone software even though it was only three months old!

Try being a Verizon Note 5 user and waiting for Samsung Pay while everyone else has it.

 

[TechZeke]

I still maintain thats not true. I did read your post.

Until Apple actually offers an iPhone in all three sizes in one series, we won't truly know where people's preferences are. I'd suggest in that case that the 4.7 would be the biggest seller and the 4 and 5.5 would both have similar sales numbers.

But at the end of the day, there are even plenty of people who bought a 4.7 inch iPhone and would prefer a 4 inch phone, and as I said before, Apple should be focused on the best experience for customers, rather than just looking at sales numbers. A person who prefers a 4 inch iPhone, but buys a 4.7 inch iPhone as they're locked into the ecosystem or other reasons, then that person is not going to be as satisfied as if Apple offered them a more suitable size.

I can almost guarantee that a 4 inch iPhone would sell. Apple was willing to spend money developing an update for the iPod Touch, even though it sells in such few numbers, and a 4 inch iPhone would sell more than that.

Well, there is the fact that a 4" iPhone would be the cheapest. Heck, there are people are 4.7" simply because the availability of the Plus model sucks during the first 3 months, or they just couldn't afford it. After all, for the same price as a 16GB 6 Plus, you could get a 64GB 6.

Also, the idea that 2/3rds aren't upgrading just because a huge number of people want a 4" phone is pure speculation and BS at this point. Let's conveniently ignore the fact iOS 9 runs on the iPhone 4S for goodness sake.

 

[oldmacs]

Well, there is the fact that a 4" iPhone would be the cheapest. Heck, there are people are 4.7" simply because the availability of the Plus model sucks during the first 3 months, or they just couldn't afford it. After all, for the same price as a 16GB 6 Plus, you could get a 64GB 6.

Also, the idea that 2/3rds aren't upgrading just because a huge number of people want a 4" phone is pure speculation and BS at this point. Let's conveniently ignore the fact iOS 9 runs on the iPhone 4S for goodness sake.

At this point everything that you and I say is speculation - such as your "most people saying they want a 4 inch phone are just adverse to change".

 

[KPandian1]

How come they didn't state the percentage of iPhone users that switched to a new Android phone? I've never seen a company who toots their own horn more than Apple.

Every company toots its own horn - that is why they have an advertising wing, the much hated part of a company by consumers!

Apple, Google, etc., do not hold a candle to the budget and disproportionate spending by the drug companies.

What else does anyone expect - Apple to toot Android's success outside the USA?

 

[RockSpider]

I hear from some real life Android users they are pissed that they can't upgrade their phone software even though it was only three months old!

So which phones were these?

 

[SactoGuy18]

Poor implementation of Android phones across the OEMs is mostly to blame for this, I fear.

The Nexus program can't get bigger fast enough.

You are completely correct. Because just about all Android handset makers put their own user interfaces on top of Android, updating Android itself becomes a real hit-or-miss proposition unless you have a Google Nexus phone, the Motorola Moto X/G/E phone, or any phone that runs the "Google Play" version of Android.

With the iPhone, it is Apple that controls the upgrade process. As such, when iOS gets updated, the adoption rate of the new version exceeds 50% of all compatible iPhone models within a matter of days.

 

[TechZeke]

At this point everything that you and I say is speculation - such as your "most people saying they want a 4 inch phone are just adverse to change".

True. However, people resisting change has been shown throughout history and there are literally tons of articles on why people resist change. Therefore, I think people resisting bigger screens just because its a change is far more likely - especially when you consider the fact that high end 4" phones have pretty much disappeared on the Android side.

 

[BlargKing]

That is one of the strangest things I have ever heard. I don't care what the body of my phone looks like. I didn't care when I went to a plastic S4, and I didn't care when I came back to an easily scratched, metal iPhone 5. I suspect you are either just being overly dramatic, or have no need for a smartphone.

Or he's just trolling and never even owned an iPhone.

I had an iPhone 5S. I sold it and bought a Galaxy S4 and had money left over. Mostly I got bored with iOS and wanted to do more with my phone.

 

[oldmacs]

True. However, people resisting change has been shown throughout history and there are literally tons of articles on why people resist change. Therefore, I think people resisting bigger screens just because its a change is far more likely - especially when you consider the fact that high end 4" phones have pretty much disappeared on the Android side.

There are incidences where people are adverse to change, but this is the equivalent of say Toyota discontinuing the Yaris and Corolla and telling them to drive a Kluger (or Highlander if you're in the US) and a large car like that obviously does not meet the needs of a corolla/yaris driver.

Bigger screens just don't deliver benefits to many, its not just about change.

 

[OTACORB]

I am certainly one of those former Android users that switched from a Note 4 to the iPhone 6s Plus. OMG it is so smooth, better battery life by far, apps work better in many cases, though certainly not all. Less ability to customize, but I'll take the better battery life and smooth operations over that any day. No more lagging, stuttering/skipping bluetooth. So, Yeah, I am a convert!

This isn't to say that I don't miss some aspects of Android, but ultimately at the end of the day I prefer the iOS buttery smooth experience. Google fails at the little details that to me are the difference. Unlike one of the previous posters, I wanted to do less with my phone, like not having to clear the app and data partition cache to keep it running smooth, not having to connect and reconnect to get bluetooth to work and never being able to get a stutter free bluetooth experience when connecting to my company and personal cars head units while streaming music. So, if not having to deal with all that is boredom I'll take it! LOL

 

[CrazeD_Q]

I am certainly one of those former Android users that switched from a Note 4 to the iPhone 6s Plus. OMG it is so smooth, better battery life by far, apps work better in many cases, though certainly not all. Less ability to customization, but I'll take the better battery life and smooth operations over that any day. No more lagging, stuttering/skipping bluetooth. So, Yeah, I am a convert!

Yup.. same here.

I missing something like a good keyboard, dialer, and the built in DLNA support.

But i'd trade all of that for the smoothness, functionality, and battery life of the 6S Plus.

 

[mcarling]

the idea that 2/3rds aren't upgrading just because a huge number of people want a 4" phone is pure speculation and BS at this point.

Since no one has made that argument, you're just raising a straw man. All anyone has said are that some of the 70% of iPhone users still using 3.5" and 4" iPhones don't want a phablet and that 30% is not enough to suggest that no one wants a 4" iPhone.

Even if you're right that most people who want a 4" iPhone are merely resistant to change, why not sell them what they're willing to buy?

 

[stuff4u]

It is a good idea for Apple to launch a new 4.2" iPhone not only has same hardware specs. as 6S and 6S+, but also increase battery life with a little thicker, selling at the same price as 6S. Though thicker in size and smaller screen size, the bigger battery life can give enough compensation. Trust all small-size iPhone lovers are going to fall in love.

 

[ddkkpp]

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.

I used to think this as well, but after owning it for a few weeks, I've changed my mind. The way the glass curves at the edges and catches the light is beautiful, and the button precision is awesome.

Ignoring the rear of the phone, it looks / acts like a premium handset. Yes the back sucks, but I never place the phone face down, so I Hardly ever see it.

Annoyances: ever since the iPhone 5 they haven't been able to make a power button that doesn't rattle a little. It's a tiny detail, but it annoys me.

I love the screen though, how it feels and looks. A tiny bit too big for me, 10-15% smaller would be perfect.

 

[Muscle Master]

After owning the 6S+ since launch... I go to the junk drawer to see my 4.7 IPhone 6 and I can never downgrade in size

That being said... I have own every iPhone since the 4S.. And damn iOS is getting dull

 

[Glenn Marston]

Note: The article was updated Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, at about noon PDT by Mac Rumors. The update says: “Cook's comments actually included the qualifier that the 30-percent figure was out of those who were upgrading from another smartphone, whether it be an iPhone, and Android phone, or another platform. Since the base number does not include those customers who were new to smartphones, the share of total iPhone buyers who switched from Android would be somewhat less than 30 percent.” Many thanks, Mac Rumors, for the addendum.

The Mac Rumors article is wrong and should be corrected. The comments based upon the error are based on the false premise that 30 percent of all iPhone sales were to switchers from Android. Although Tim Cook said that initially, about halfway through the call, he clarified the Android percentage. He said that the figure of 30 percent of Android switchers was among buyers replacing a smartphone only, not among all buyers.

Here is the Mac Rumors paragraph: "According to Cook, 30 percent of customers who purchased an iPhone were upgrading from an Android-based smartphone, the largest number of switchers it had seen in the three years since it started measuring switching rates. ‘It's a huge number and we're very proud of it,’ said Cook."

Here is what Tim Cook said on the phone call in the paragraph from which the “huge number” quote was taken by Mac Rumors: “Let me start with Android switchers. What this means is that for customers who purchased an iPhone last quarter and replaced a smartphone, that 30 percent of those switched from an Android device. And so, there would've been some switchers on top of that from other operating systems, but obviously, Android is the largest one, by far. And so, that's what that means, and that number is the largest that we've ever recorded since we began measuring it three or so years ago. And so, it's a huge number; we're very, very proud of that number.”

Transcript (a bit more than halfway down, under the heading “On new iOS customers and Android switchers”): http://www.imore.com/tim-apples-ceo-iphones-6s-china-and-more.

Mac Observer article with further information: http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/what-tim-cook-really-said-about-android-switchers.

 

[MH01]

Be good to know what the source of this info is. And if it's service providers, be good to get the overall picture of how many switched to android , how many stayed with an iPhone as an upgrade etc.

Problem with these stats, they could just be one provider in a particular city etc.

If they are using service provider data, this year alone I have switched between Windows , android and iOS many many times .

 

[Mildredop]

How do they measure that? Do they ask every customer? Is anyone aware of the method they use?

They didn't ask me. And I'm returning my iPhone today as I couldn't get on with it - will they take that into consideration? I think not.

 

[Mildredop]

Poor implementation of Android phones across the OEMs is mostly to blame for this, I fear.

The Nexus program can't get bigger fast enough.

Totally agree. No Android phone looks and feels as good as the iPhone and the two new nexus offerings are poor. Although I like Android, the hardware on offer needs to seriously step-up.

 

[Flusspferd]

They can add me too. Because in two months, I'm also going to switch to an iPhone.

I'm so done with Android devices and Google's BS after several years.

 

[lowendlinux]

Yep. It doesn't seem like Android OEMs care about 4" phones anymore.

I've noticed a lot of iPhone users around here are still hoping Apple will make another 4" iPhone.

Have Android users simply given up hope for a smaller phone? We don't really hear from them like we do the iPhone users.

And those of us that want smaller phones will leave that area too. I what'sapp/tapatalk/and do a tiny bit of websurfing on phone none of these require a large screen or big spec's. I just want a small phone that fits in my phone pocket.

True. However, people resisting change has been shown throughout history and there are literally tons of articles on why people resist change. Therefore, I think people resisting bigger screens just because its a change is far more likely - especially when you consider the fact that high end 4" phones have pretty much disappeared on the Android side.

Then we'll go elsewhere

 

[Palladium SG]

I'm part of the 30% since Sep 25th.

While I'm not totally happy with 6S+, I would very much rather pay premium for iOS than premium Android where 90% of the same day to day experience can be had on a phone that costs 20% as much.

 

[StoneJack]

I think Apple will add 4.2 inch phone only when 4.7 and 5.5 inch iPhones markets are saturated, maybe in 2018 or 2019, I don't know. Right now, there are no compelling reasons for smaller handsets, as 5S and 5C are still widely available. When their support will be discontinued, which is at least 2-3 years from now, only then a new 4.2 inch or so high end new iPhone mini may appear. Its just like iPad, mini iPad appeared only 3 years after the original one, and only now we see the larger iPad.