All this report is saying is that the iphone numbers are down because they were delayed into the 4th quarter. Everyone who is saying it has to do with people not wanting them, or they are switching, or it's because they don't have this or that feature, or people can't stand the notch, only saw what they wanted to in the article. Unit sales always dip before the new phones come out, so when you start to see the iPhone 12 included in those numbers I'm fairly certain Apple will be back to 3rd place at least.
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Apple Slips to Fourth Place for Smartphone Market Share, Overtaken by Xiaomi
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Apple’s value was born from not listening to its users. I’m not a UI expert. Most people aren’t. What we think might be cool doesn’t justify change.
Yep. I just put yet another new battery in my 1st Gen SE. I could handle a bit larger. But it works just fine for my use.
IDK. I feel like the 12 will be ranked higher. It’s a really good phone and for someone moving from an X it feels lower cost too.
Investors want to see profitability and margin, not volume, and that is where Apple still holds a large lead.
China is the latest and largest market for consumer goods, so it makes sense that a company that has focused on the Chinese market from day 1 would see this level of growth, with their product line having a lower margin but being more affordable.
EDIT: For anyone curious, you can Google it yourself (if you want additional sources), but one article discussing Apple vs. competitor profits in the smartphone arena:
Counterpoint
www.counterpointresearch.com
Why do people keep saying Apple (iPhone) 'has focused on the Chinese market from day 1'? Apple originally did not focus on China until the iPhone 6 and 6S in real earnest when they realized phone screen size was important and critical to break into that market. THAT is why the iPhone 6 is STILL their best selling model globally ever. They also did not appoint a sales/marketing lead for China until 2017/2018.
I agree. When I bought my 7Plus (an upgrade to my 4S) several years ago for $1000 I vowed to be extra vigilant on when I would upgrade again. Here we are 4-5 years later and I see no compelling reason to plunk down $1000+ for a 12 model (for me to get the storage I need and the features to match or exceed the 7Plus I need to spend at least $1000). Sure, there are obviously improvements over the iPhones models since the 7Plus but nothing earth shattering for me to pay $1000. If I were a diehard photographer, I would probably upgrade every 2-3 releases.
Imagine in 1-2 years when Apple releases the iPhone SE with the notch display when there are notchless iPhones. I believe these will be the #1 for many in any of the countries where midrange phones are big hits
These are worldwide sales. Antitrust laws/issues are local - specifically in USA - where Apple share is much higher.
Take this as imo, only. Churn is part of the process and happens with most manufacturers. I personally find the slab android phones non-descript, but as you noted, to each their own. If this type of churn was evident at the scale that Apple operates at, it would be seen in the quarterly numbers.
So Apple can be a monopoly in New York, but not globally, because they are fourth on the list...is what you are suggesting?
Xiaomi makes great reliable phones that are cheap. They are a hit in Poland and now they have brand stores everywhere. Apple still hasn't opened up a brand store in Poland and there still is no Polish Siri. Xiaomi is more aggressive than Apple and it will probably keep on increasing its' market share. Mind you, I still prefer iOS - and even more so OS X.
Those are YOUR needs. Also most of what you said are only the same barking from forums. I hope you don't think the majority of Apple's customers are the ones who frequent forums, because they are not. Forums are the smallest group of Apple's customers and they have nothing but selfish needs that don't equate to reality, otherwise every other company would be offering them.
Prices, I believe, coupled with strong competition. Nowadays people can get a really decent 6”+ Android handset for the price of iPhone SE 2020 or even less. I can afford any iPhone on the market and always enjoy the novelty buzz, but I also question my actual needs and the value of the product. Also, iPhones have a longer lifespan generally compared to their Android counterparts, so we can comfortably stay with the same iPhone for 2-5 years, I guess. The major selling point for me is iOS, as I just like it too much. 😉
Yep that’s pretty much the state of things in mainland Europe and it will be more and more like that. And trust me, you don’t want Siri in any language that isn’t English. It’s like 30 years behind Google assistant, it’s not even close, just shockingly bad to the point it feels like it’s from a different era.
Unexpected though it happens every year?
Shame? Excellent results for a premium smartphone brand.
Apple got this far with the user base knowing that they’re not into customisation of the OS interface. I don’t see that changing, but there are alternatives for those who do want more customisation options.
I agree, Apple doesn’t want freakishly complicated solutions. I love when people tell Apple how to be successful. Like they struggle...
What keeps me from buying a Samsung is android. I am about as google free as I can be. The hardware on these phones is pretty spectacular.
If Apple had ever depended on selling Most, yes. But they simply don’t need to sell the most. It’s a huge market, and it will change dramatically in the next dozen years anyway. The mobile phone now is tomorrow’s iPod.
Investors want to see profitability and margin, not volume, and that is where Apple still holds a large lead.
China is the latest and largest market for consumer goods, so it makes sense that a company that has focused on the Chinese market from day 1 would see this level of growth, with their product line having a lower margin but being more affordable.
EDIT: For anyone curious, you can Google it yourself (if you want additional sources), but one article discussing Apple vs. competitor profits in the smartphone arena:
Counterpoint
I am sorry but the models investors follow are rarely logical. Investment is perceptual and emotional much more so than anything purely metric. If what you said were true then investors would have abandoned numerous wealthy loss leaders like Facebook, Uber etc etc etc long ago.
Apple and all the top 4 manufacturers on this list have very strong brand presence. The more their products proliferate the greater that strength becomes.
and don’t forget that Apple’s ecosystem for services has thus far been either dependent or highly focused on their devices alone.