Apple Again Tops Holiday Sales With 44% of All New Mobile Device Activations

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone and iPad were again the most popular mobile devices gifted around the world during the holidays this year according to new data shared today by mobile analytics firm Flurry.

In the week leading up to Christmas and the end of Hanukkah (12/19 to 12/25), Flurry took a look at all new smartphone and tablet activations to see which devices consumers were purchasing most.

44 percent of new device activations were Apple devices, while Samsung devices accounted for 26 percent of activations. Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, LG, OPPO, and Vivo trailed behind Apple and Samsung with each responsible for 2 to 5 percent of new device activations.

The 2017 activation numbers closely mirror the activation numbers we saw from Flurry in 2016. Apple also saw the highest number of device activations -- 44 percent -- during the same time period last year, followed by Samsung at 21 percent.

Similar to last year, 44% of new phone and tablet activations were Apple devices. While Samsung dominates global market share, they fell short as the gift of choice during the holiday season, with only 26% of activated devices in the lead up to Christmas. Samsung's activation rate is up 5% from the 2016 holiday season, which can likely be attributed to the 2017 introduction of the Galaxy S8 after the late 2016 recall of their malfunctioning Note devices.

Broken down, it's actually Apple's older devices that saw the highest number of new activations rather than the newer devices. 15.1 percent of activations were for the iPhone 7, followed by 14.9 percent for the iPhone 6. Apple's flagship device, the iPhone X, was popular though, making up 14.7 percent of new activations. The iPhone 8 was responsible for 8.1 percent of new activations, and the iPhone 8 Plus was responsible for 8.7 percent.

It's important to note that Flurry examined worldwide activations, where older, more affordable devices are popular. Apple no longer sells the iPhone 6, for example, but it's still readily available internationally from third-party resellers who offer it at a discounted price.

When looking at device size, "phablets" or devices that measure in at 5 to 6.9 inches, made up 53 percent of all new device activations, while smaller phones (3.5 to 4.9 inches) made up 35 percent of activations. Full-sized tablets like the iPad (with only cellular models counted here) were responsible for 8 percent of activations. Interest in larger devices has grown significantly over the course of the last two years.

To gather its data, Flurry measured smart device activations and app downloads from the more than one million mobile apps that use the Flurry Analytics service. Flurry says it has insight into more than 2.1 billion devices around the world.

Article Link: Apple Again Tops Holiday Sales With 44% of All New Mobile Device Activations

 

[chriscrowlee]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

 

[mtneer]

How does a third party measure iPhone activation's? Do they poll carrier store employees or sales records to get this data?

 

[I7guy]

Not surprising when one looks at this data manufacturer to manufacture Apple will come out on top. iOS vs android is a different ball of wax.

 

[Strelok]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

This isn't iOS vs Android, this is Manufacturer A (Apple) vs Manufacturer B (Samsung, LG, Huawei etc.)

 

[I7guy]

How does a third party measure iPhone activation's? Do they poll carrier store employees or sales records to get this data?

That is my guess as well. Guesstimates based on carrier activations.

 

[chriscrowlee]

Not surprising when one looks at this data manufacturer to manufacture Apple will come out on top. iOS vs android is a different ball of wax.

Yep, this is typical Apple marketing spew (yeah I know it's a third party, but you can easily look at the way the data is presented and see who the bias is toward). If you look at actual sales, Android OS devices outsell Apple something like 19 to 1. It's not even a competition anymore like it was 5 years ago. LOL. The world has spoken and Android is the Windows and iOS is the Mac. It'll always be that way. Apple isn't going anywhere but Android is always going to be the dominant force by far.
[doublepost=1514390935][/doublepost]

This isn't iOS vs Android, this is Manufacturer A (Apple) vs Manufacturer B (Samsung, LG, Huawei etc.)

Did I say anything to the contrary? It's the only way Apple can present data that doesn't make them look like a total nothingburger these days. Why do you think whenever Apple talks about Mac marketshare they compare to makers not OS... when in reality people buying PCs are buying windows computers, not for the brand of hardward. Mac vs PC Windows and iOS vs Android are the only comparisons that matter anymore. To compare based on anything else is just silly and trying to twist the numbers to support a position that's just not there.

 

[DanielDD]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

Companies are the ones making money. Not operative systems. The financial wealth of the company determines not only whether they are still around in a couple of years, but also their ability to invest in R&D and so forth.

 

[69Mustang]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

Uh Chris... this isn't an OS analysis. That would be iOS v Android. This is an OEM analysis... Apple, Samsung, Huawei, etc. Also this analysis is reporting from Flurry, not Apple. Basically, you're reading it wrong.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

1) Android is an operating system, running on thousands of different devices. iOS devices will always come with Apple hardware. There’s a big difference.

2) Had you read the article, you’d realise this was an independent review which has absolutely nothing to do with Apple’s marketing.

 

[realeric]

Apple failed. iPhone 7 or 6 is sold more than X. It's not because people like them but X is overpriced.

 

[Rogifan]

Yep, this is typical Apple marketing spew (yeah I know it's a third party, but you can easily look at the way the data is presented and see who the bias is toward). If you look at actual sales, Android OS devices outsell Apple something like 19 to 1. It's not even a competition anymore like it was 5 years ago. LOL. The world has spoken and Android is the Windows and iOS is the Mac. It'll always be that way. Apple isn't going anywhere but Android is always going to be the dominant force by far.

Obviously software available on dozens of hardware makers devices is going to outsell software available on one manufactures devices. What’s your point?

 

[69Mustang]

Broken down, it's actually Apple's older devices that saw the highest number of new activations rather than the newer devices. 15.1 percent of activations were for the iPhone 7, followed by 14.9 percent for the iPhone 6.

I fit in here. I got two 7's for my girls.

 

[KazuSnow]

Except apple has nothing to do this with Flurry (Flurry Analytics)...its a Yahoo company and last I checked Yahoo wasn't owned and operated by apple...

Yep, this is typical Apple marketing spew (yeah I know it's a third party, but you can easily look at the way the data is presented and see who the bias is toward). If you look at actual sales, Android OS devices outsell Apple something like 19 to 1. It's not even a competition anymore like it was 5 years ago. LOL. The world has spoken and Android is the Windows and iOS is the Mac. It'll always be that way. Apple isn't going anywhere but Android is always going to be the dominant force by far.
[doublepost=1514390935][/doublepost]

Did I say anything to the contrary? It's the only way Apple can present data that doesn't make them look like a total nothingburger these days. Why do you think whenever Apple talks about Mac marketshare they compare to makers not OS... when in reality people buying PCs are buying windows computers, not for the brand of hardward. Mac vs PC Windows and iOS vs Android are the only comparisons that matter anymore. To compare based on anything else is just silly and trying to twist the numbers to support a position that's just not there.

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

 

[Baymowe335]

Yep, this is typical Apple marketing spew (yeah I know it's a third party, but you can easily look at the way the data is presented and see who the bias is toward). If you look at actual sales, Android OS devices outsell Apple something like 19 to 1. It's not even a competition anymore like it was 5 years ago. LOL. The world has spoken and Android is the Windows and iOS is the Mac. It'll always be that way. Apple isn't going anywhere but Android is always going to be the dominant force by far.
[doublepost=1514390935][/doublepost]

Did I say anything to the contrary? It's the only way Apple can present data that doesn't make them look like a total nothingburger these days. Why do you think whenever Apple talks about Mac marketshare they compare to makers not OS... when in reality people buying PCs are buying windows computers, not for the brand of hardward. Mac vs PC Windows and iOS vs Android are the only comparisons that matter anymore. To compare based on anything else is just silly and trying to twist the numbers to support a position that's just not there.

The iPhone doesn't compete in the sub $300 cell phone market, which is why Android has the highest worldwide share (non premium phones running Android, particularly in India and China).

Look at iPhone market share in developed markets. A little different than your 19 to 1 stat.

iPhone is the leading premium smartphone with 217M iPhones sold in 2017. With an ASP around $600 and increasing, that's about $130B in revenue. Sound like nothingburger to you, Mr. Wonderful?

No, the Galaxy and Note lines do not outsell iPhone.

You're confusing manufacturers with OS.

 

[bollman]

Ok, but it does not say if these devices were actually "new-new" or hand-me-downs.
In our family, there were 3 activations of iOS devices at xmas:
Two iPhone 5S
One iPhone 6
None new, not even close to new, bought new when the devices were launched.

So, were these included in the above reported numbers?
The article explains activations of device not for sale with "but it's still readily available internationally from third-party resellers who offer it at a discounted price".
Yeah, well, let us see the number of 5s activated during xmas too. Because I think a lot of these newly activated device are in fact hand-me downs, and keeping that in mind, these numbers aren't all that fantastic.

My guess is that only around 60% of these devices are new, as in brand new, the rest are hand me downs reused for grandparents and children, that's what it was like in our family but since they've been wiped, they were reactivated during xmas.

 

[iapplelove]

I’m starting to see a ton of iPhone X users out in the wild. At least one or two a day.

 

[Rogifan]

Broken down, it's actually Apple's older devices that saw the highest number of new activations rather than the newer devices. 15.1 percent of activations were for the iPhone 7, followed by 14.9 percent for the iPhone 6.

I’d be curious to know how they are arriving at these figures and if its a meaningful representation how does it compare to prior years?

 

[chriscrowlee]

Except apple has nothing to do this with Flurry (Flurry Analytics)...its a Yahoo company and last I checked Yahoo wasn't owned and operated by apple...

Yahoo would sell their soul to the devil for a $1.99 Big Mac

 

[az431]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

Seems like you’re the one manipulating data. The article states that 44% of all activations were iOS devices compared to 26% for Android.

I don’t know what “actual numbers” you are referring to, but 44% of any number is more than 26% of that same number. That’s just basic math.

If anything the stats are skewed in favor of android since it is used on everything from cheap prepaid phones to refrigerators.

 

[Tubamajuba]

Yep, this is typical Apple marketing spew (yeah I know it's a third party, but you can easily look at the way the data is presented and see who the bias is toward). If you look at actual sales, Android OS devices outsell Apple something like 19 to 1. It's not even a competition anymore like it was 5 years ago. LOL. The world has spoken and Android is the Windows and iOS is the Mac. It'll always be that way. Apple isn't going anywhere but Android is always going to be the dominant force by far.
[doublepost=1514390935][/doublepost]

Did I say anything to the contrary? It's the only way Apple can present data that doesn't make them look like a total nothingburger these days. Why do you think whenever Apple talks about Mac marketshare they compare to makers not OS... when in reality people buying PCs are buying windows computers, not for the brand of hardward. Mac vs PC Windows and iOS vs Android are the only comparisons that matter anymore. To compare based on anything else is just silly and trying to twist the numbers to support a position that's just not there.

The way you choose to assume that Apple had anything to do with the way these numbers are presented tells me that you’re biased towards Android. I don’t have any evidence to back that assertion, but apparently we don’t need any evidence- we can just make stuff up and pretend it’s fact!

 

[jonblatho]

Did I say anything to the contrary? It's the only way Apple can present data that doesn't make them look like a total nothingburger these days.

Yeah, the way Apple consistently gets the vast majority of the market’s profits makes them a total nothingburger. Apple’s doing just fine, and will continue to do just fine, for the foreseeable future.

 

[Jeff750]

Can't help but notice again the way the numbers are presented look good for Apple. But in reality, it shows Android activations surpassed Apple if you look at the actual numbers. Does Apple know they can't just manipulate stats into becoming number 1?

This is data showing activations during a 2-week period before the western holiday period. Apple had more activations than anyone else during that period. There's nothing ambiguous about the dataset.

 

[chriscrowlee]

1) Android is an operating system, running on thousands of different devices. iOS devices will always come with Apple hardware. There’s a big difference.

2) Had you read the article, you’d realise this was an independent review which has absolutely nothing to do with Apple’s marketing.

1) Yep, a flaw Apple has dealt with for years alongside Mac OS

2) Really? And let me guess, you think JD Power and other reviewers are independent and-unbiased too? BAHAHAH

 

[jonblatho]

Seems like you’re the one manipulating data. The article states that 44% of all activations were iOS devices compared to 26% for Android.

I don’t know what “actual numbers” you are referring to, but 44% of any number is more than 26% of that same number. That’s just basic math.

Samsung ≠ Android.