iPhone XR iPhone X the best selling iPhone released 2017, but XR was best selling in 2018 and 11 in 2019?

[AppleStart2013]

When the iPhone X was released with a $1000 price tag, it seemed people wanted it over the 8 and 8 plus because it was "the best thing" and the "best iPhone" and it was the best selling iPhone of the 3 but in 2018 the cheapest iPhone released the XR got the most sales and the same with 2019 with the iPhone 11 (base model) outpacing sales of all other iPhones in Q1 2020.

No one I know ever got an 8 or 8 Plus but I know many who picked up an XR or iPhone 11.

Why has there been a sudden shift from the top-end model being the best selling now to the cheaper, base model iPhones?

 

[Nozuka]

The X was the biggest change in the iPhone Design and also the way you use it in a long time (or ever). People just wanted to have it.

XR and 11 are basically the same thing, but cheaper.

And most people who bought the X are likely still using it, waiting for another upgrade that is worth it.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

When the iPhone X was released with a $1000 price tag, it seemed people wanted it over the 8 and 8 plus because it was "the best thing" and the "best iPhone" and it was the best selling iPhone of the 3 but in 2018 the cheapest iPhone released the XR got the most sales and the same with 2019 with the iPhone 11 (base model) outpacing sales of all other iPhones in Q1 2020.

No one I know ever got an 8 or 8 Plus but I know many who picked up an XR or iPhone 11.

Why has there been a sudden shift from the top-end model being the best selling now to the cheaper, base model iPhones?

I don’t think the mainstream market has ever fully embraced the top end iPhones like the X/XS/Pro. They’ve sold well but haven’t sold with the same impact as the iPhone 4,5,6 did and that’s down to price.

It’s strange for me as it was a full 4 months before I even saw someone using an iPhone X. A couple of my friends bought one when the XS was due to be released but I saw loads of 8’s and 8+’s at the time. I ended up with an 8+ myself. The common response I found at the time was people taking issue with paying £1k for a phone and I don’t think that mindset has really gone away for most. Even now people are either keeping phones much longer or opting for the XR/11/SE variants. This isn’t down to wealth scales either and that’s the common misconception on this forum. It’s down to appeal pure and simple.