Most Apple iPhones in the US are sold through carriers

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: A new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) outlines where recent shoppers are purchasing iPhones from, and the results aren't entirely surprising. Years ago, it was commonplace to see long lines outside of Apple Stores whenever a new iPhone launched. Samsung even made a series of parodies out of it. But is that still how folks shop for Apple's newest handsets?

According to CIRP's latest survey, only 24 percent of recent iPhones purchased in the US came directly from Apple. The majority of iPhone sales – a full 67 percent – occurred through wireless carriers, which makes sense when you consider how aggressive carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are when it comes to marketing attractive promotions.

Best Buy accounted for five percent of new iPhone sales, with stores like Walmart and Target bundled into the "other" group making up the remaining four percent of the pie.

Wireless carrier stores far outnumber Apple Stores, especially in rural areas. I am a bit surprised that big box retailers like Target and Walmart don't account for more sales but perhaps they simply haven't done a great job of establishing themselves as an iPhone destination.

Before the iPhone and in the days of wireless service contracts and phone subsidies, most people purchased new handsets through carriers. A lot of shopping behavior we continue to see today is likely a holdover from that era – that's how people used to do it, how they're comfortable doing it and how they continue to do it today.

A quick check of all three major carriers in the US reveals each is offering their own variant of an "iPhone 14 on us" deal for the holidays. Terms and conditions will vary so you'll want to be sure to read and fully understand all of the fine print before committing to anything. Deals of this nature typically involve trading in your existing phone, and you will usually come out better if you have a newer, higher-value phone to hand over.

Image credit: Quinn Battick, Victor Serban

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https://www.techspot.com/news/96958-most-us-iphones-sold-through-wireless-carriers.html

 

[kira setsu]

Who didn't know this?

 

[m4a4]

I mean, yeah. The more consumeristic someone is (I find Apple users typically are), the more likely you'll just go for the best short-term "deal" offered through a carrier. Pay "little to nothing" for a new phone? Sign me up!

And then, the lines I always saw as a small group of Apple fanboys that HAD to get it first, for whatever reasons. The pandemic shrinking that activity...

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Well yeah, most consumers don't know what "unlocked" means and still do bi annual upgrades via post credit carrier plans. They don't know you can just buy a phone and own it.

It always blows people's minds IRL when I tell them I buy a $200 phone every 3-4 years and take it wherever I want.

 

[mctommy]

Well yeah, most consumers don't know what "unlocked" means and still do bi annual upgrades via post credit carrier plans. They don't know you can just buy a phone and own it.

It always blows people's minds IRL when I tell them I buy a $200 phone every 3-4 years and take it wherever I want.

Or for the more seasoned people, carriers may have some really good deals in which you are offered a free upgrade like with T-Mobile - get $800 in monthly credits (over 24months) by getting an iPhone 13 when you turn in your iPhone 12. During that deal in 2021, you get the free upgrade minus taxes you paid on your old iPhone 12 and/or upgrade in memory. You can unlock that phone after 3 months of service.

 

[p51d007]

Walk into any U.S. carrier store and you have to stop and go back outside and make sure you didn't walk into an APPLE store.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Aren't people making monthly payments on the phone through carriers, versus paying full price at an Apple store?
I would also imagine people would rather get the phone and plan from the same place out of convenience.