Although numbers from various sources place iPhone 7’s launch somewhere between the relatively lukewarm reception of 2015’s iPhone 6S and 6S Plus launch and the roaring success of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus the year before that, there is one aspect in which iPhone 7 has been able to post commendable figures.
Launched last September, iPhone 7 offers several new major features including but not limited to the removal of its headphone jack, a much-improved home button, and new colors to choose from. Base units also offer 32GB storage rather than the usual 16GB.
In its fiscal fourth quarter earnings call, the Cupertino-based company hasn’t been shy in pointing out the increasing number of Android users switching to iPhone. This has been further supported with the recent sales data posted for iPhone 7, of which 17% consist of Android users making the switch. Previous to this, iPhone 6 and 6S’s launch had 12% of its sales attributed to Android switchers.
On the other hand, less than five percent of iPhone 7 sales has been attributed to users outside the iOS and Android ecosystems. In particular, this number includes individuals buying smartphones for the first time as well as those switching from Windows and Blackberry phones.
In spite of progressing numbers of Android switches, pundits generally do not consider it a major factor contributing to the success enjoyed by the various iPhone launches that had taken place in recent years. Instead, analysts believe the ability of Apple to constantly hit sales targets is largely due to strong customer loyalty, wherein iPhone users go on to upgrade as soon as the latest model is out.
Ultimately, it must also be noted that Apple has never been in the practice of sharing exact figures for iPhone sales. Such figures have only been provided to its carrier partners. However, a report has recently surfaced that shows approximately 43% of the company’s third-quarter domestic sales of the iPhone can be attributed to both the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus.