Most people do a contract model, though, in the US.
So it's okay.
Most iphone buyers perhaps, but most people is stretching it.
The point is, Apple had a huge opportunity to expand its user base with a cheaper phone, and they chose to continue their past model of selling an awesome flagship phone, along with last year's discounted model. The 5c is to the 5s what the 4s was to the 5. In other words, this isn't a new product, which is what everyone was hoping for, hence the disappointment. This is simply apple selling last year's phone at a $100 discount which they have done for years.
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source?
The original post states that Japan has an even higher sales rate of the 5s versus 5c.