Apple's Popularity With Gen Z Poses Challenges for Android

[MacRumors]

Younger Americans prefer Apple over rival companies by significant margins, driving a generational shift toward Apple devices and social pressure, the Financial Times reports.

According to the report, younger consumers are concerned about being socially ostracised for not having an iPhone – a phenomenon that is driving young people to buy other Apple products and services, leading to growing market share across multiple product categories.

Those born after 1996, also known as Gen Z, compose 34 percent of all iPhone owners in the U.S., compared to just 10 percent for Samsung. For older generations, there is a relatively even split between iPhone and Android users. The ramifications of this shift toward Apple devices among younger people extends beyond iPhones, with these users being much more likely to purchase AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs.

For every 100 iPhones Apple sells around the world, it also sells 26 iPads, 17 Apple Watches, and 35 pairs of AirPods, according to research by Canalys. For Samsung, every 100 smartphone sales leads to fewer than 11 tablets, six smartwatches, and six pairs of wireless earbuds being sold. This is in spite of the fact that the average selling price of an iPhone is almost three times that of an Android device.

Researchers who advise companies about the preferences of Gen Z consumers told the Financial Times that these customers are the most online of any age group, spending up to six hours a day on their smartphones. As a result, Apple's ecosystem is shaping social decision-making, with particular emphasis on the importance of iMessage as a social signal, necessitated by inferior experiences messaging and using group chats via SMS.

In Europe, where iMessage is less prevalent and Android has a bigger market share, the same trend is similarly visible. Canalys research indicates that 83 percent of Apple users in western Europe under 25 years old plan to keep using an iPhone. As Gen Z gets older, this trend is likely to grow and further entrench Apple's market share, making it increasingly difficult for rival companies to capture new customers and make inroads.

Article Link: Apple's Popularity With Gen Z Poses Challenges for Android

 

[RickDEGH]

Here in Germany - Rhein-Main region to be specific, most young folk groups I see on the trains and in the streets all carry the “notched” phones.

 

[MacWiz_007]

"According to the report, younger consumers are concerned about being socially ostracized for not having an iPhone". What a sad, sad world we live in.

Edit: For all who are about to post "This isn't new..." I never said it was. Please, re-read above.

 

[spinedoc77]

Interesting social dilemma for Apple, figure out how to make iMessage universal or focus on profits. I try to teach my kids to not blindly follow, but even I will admit it's pretty damn hard when you can't communicate well with an iPhone user when you have an Android phone.

 

[karranz]

Gen X dumped windows for doing Microsoft things. I doubt gen Z will do the same when apple's time comes, they are easily manipulated by youtubers, influencers, etc.

 

[BrownyQ]

The social aspect truly is a force to be reckoned with; the younger you are, the more prone you are to being influenced by said pressure.

But setting that aside, you have to give credit where due to Apple for capitalizing on that dedicated userbase by focusing on their core strength: that all their devices work really well together. You can call it insidious or brilliant, but I think it's quite beneficial for the end user.

After a certain age, it's not so much about the social pressure (we do grow out of being pressured into things we don't wanna do by our peers, after all), but the convenience of the products we use. I could theoretically drop all my Apple gear today and jump ship to using Android and Windows, but while most of the functionality is there, along with some extras Apple doesn't have, I can't imagine the convenience of getting it to work well together is. Not without more effort on my part.

And that's what I feel keeps many using the same device, be it Apple or Android, Windows or Mac: it's the path of least resistance, the devil we know versus the one we don't.

It's up to the competition to make their devices more enticing, worth switching over to. Not finding ways to destroy the benefits those already using Apple enjoy just to even the playing field.

... and that was a very long-winded blog post.

 

[perplx]

Basically all female celebrities on instagram use iPhones so it aspirational, and unlike designer clothes iphone aren't really that expensive.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Interesting social dilemma for Apple, figure out how to make iMessage universal or focus on profits. I try to teach my kids to not blindly follow, but even I will admit it's pretty damn hard when you can't communicate well with an iPhone user when you have an Android phone.

I mean, it’s really not that hard.
If someone has an iPhone, there’s probably at least an 80% chance they have tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or one of the other hundreds of social media applications with a DM feature installed on it

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

It’s the Apple ecosystem. I love being inside the blue bubble.

Also, iPhones are the best smartphone out there in the world. It’s simple as that.

 

[contacos]

How often do they upgrade though. That will be the real challenge. I think I’ll keep using my 12 PM another year. iOS has remained basically the same, Apps don’t suddenly work differently on a newer device. I am not saying this is a bad thing from a consumer level, it just shows that it’s „good enough“.

Maybe it’s also an age thing, I used to be so obsessed having the latest and greatest. Now I honestly don’t even know what Apple Watch number we r up to by now. 9?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Not based on security, but what other people might think/say about them?

*sigh*

EDIT: Meaning they *could* be hooked on Apple devices BECAUSE of their better security and especially OS upgrade support, but looks or security? I feel they are still making a good(better) choice. It's just weird that they say it's 'peer pressure'. *shrug* TANGENT: I tried to go on a 'logo-less-life' over the pandemic, and avoiding and removing logos is really hard, and they are literally EVERYWHERE! Even my glasses have a really small logo icon. Removing logos on clothes is just tiring and not worth it. Not as worth it as I thought.

But so many products are their own logo's for the companies. I gave up... Still, go kids! (I guess)

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Gen X dumped windows for doing Microsoft things. I doubt gen Z will do the same when apple's time comes, there are easily manipulated by youtubers, influencers, etc.

In what way did Gen-X “dump” Windows?
And if they did dump windows, they weren’t replacing it with a Mac. They were replacing it with an iPad.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Gen X dumped windows for doing Microsoft things. I doubt gen Z will do the same when apple's time comes, there are easily manipulated by youtubers, influencers, etc.

Funny, I'm Gen X and what I ended up dumping was Samsung and Google for doing Samsung and Google things.

 

[spinedoc77]

I mean, it’s really not that hard.
If someone has an iPhone, there’s probably at least an 80% chance they have tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or one of the other hundreds of social media applications with a DM feature installed on it

It IS really hard IMO as an Android user with iPhone friends and family. First I would have to trust those companies, and the ones you named I don't really trust very much with my privacy. But besides that I would have to convince every single other iPhone user to download that app, create an account, and use it for messaging between us. Now compound that with the older folks in my messaging group who would never be able to figure out how to switch away from iMessage.

I get it, I'm in the US and we are an outlier, most other countries use 3rd party messaging apps. But that still doesn't change that it would be incredibly complicated to get the dozens of friends, family, business associates, etc I message all on the same wavelength. Seriously who wants to have half a dozen messaging apps on their phone?

 

[dandyryan]

no one wants to be the green bubble that ruins group chats.

 

[Prof.]

"According to the report, younger consumers are concerned about being socially ostracized for not having an iPhone". What a sad, sad world we live in.

The amount of pediatric psychs in my ER supports your comment. We are living in pathetic times. So glad I graduated high school in the mid-2000s before the dawn of smartphones.

"Everyone is trying to keep up with the Jones', but what they don't know is that the Jones' are broke!"

 

[Makosuke]

For every 100 iPhones Apple sells around the world, it also sells 26 iPads, 17 Apple Watches, and 35 pairs of AirPods, according to research by Canalys. For Samsung, every 100 smartphone sales leads to fewer than 11 tablets, six smartwatches, and six pairs of wireless earbuds being sold. This is in spite of the fact that the average selling price of an iPhone is almost three times that of an Android device.

“in spite of”? Really?

Implying that it’s a surprise that people who buy expensive things are more likely to buy other expensive things, and you’d somehow expect the opposite to be true, shows a complete lack of understanding of how pretty much the entirety of a consumer economy works.

People who can afford to buy more expensive things pretty much by definition can afford other things as well, and if they buy one expensive gadget then pretty much by definition they’re more likely to buy other expensive gadgets, too.

Flipped around, of course people who buy inexpensive phones are less likely to buy accessories, either because they can’t afford them or don’t like spending money on gadgets.

It’s like saying “people who own a Lexus are much more likely to own a Rolex than people who own a Toyota, in spite of the Lexuses costing an average of three times as much.”

 

[genovelle]

Interesting social dilemma for Apple, figure out how to make iMessage universal or focus on profits. I try to teach my kids to not blindly follow, but even I will admit it's pretty damn hard when you can't communicate well with an iPhone user when you have an Android phone.

I think the problem is that Android sucks and the Apple folks just feel some kind of way about interacting with people who clearly can’t be saved. Lol

 

[michaeljk]

...and this is where Apple's trojan horse strategy is and will really pay off for computing. Apple has always targeted younger audiences in the hopes it would create a lifetime user, in part by catering to the needs of primary education--getting Macs (and the Apple II) into the schools. This often translated to kids wanting Macs at home, which was great. The problem is, these kids then entered the workforce, where their employers required them to use Windows computers. With Apple's new strategy, there's a tighter bond between their young user base and the computing equipment they use, so they will be far less compliant with prospective employers, and insist on using Macs, iPads, and iPhones even after entering the workforce. I am sure there are metrics that already solidify this.

 

[macsplusmacs]

Real phone market is popular loved and makes money: iPhone.

aux "I got it for free", benchwarmer phone market: Droid.

 

[NT1440]

Gen X dumped windows for doing Microsoft things. I doubt gen Z will do the same when apple's time comes, there are easily manipulated by youtubers, influencers, etc.

Pray tell, when did gen x drop windows?

 

[Red Oak]

Interesting social dilemma for Apple, figure out how to make iMessage universal or focus on profits. I try to teach my kids to not blindly follow, but even I will admit it's pretty damn hard when you can't communicate well with an iPhone user when you have an Android phone.

How? iMessage supports SMS, the common texting protocol. I text with my Android friends fine all the time

 

[spinedoc77]

I think the problem is that Android sucks and the Apple folks just feel some kind of way about interacting with people who clearly can’t be saved. Lol

That's a really immature comment, I'm assuming there is some sarcasm there or am I someone "who clearly can't be saved"? Android doesn't "suck," it's actually really great, but I also really love iOS.

 

[spinedoc77]

How? iMessage supports SMS, the common texting protocol. I text with my Android friends fine all the time

Try sending a picture or video via SMS then come back and comment. Not to mention all the other stuff like tapbacks and such.

 

[unregbaron]

In the UK the only time I get an iMessage is some form of official notification eg a delivery.