Growth of iPhone Installed Base Slows in the U.S. [Report]

The iPhone installed base growth rate has slowed in the U.S., according to a report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

CIRP says the iPhone US installed base reached 136 million units as of March 31, compared to 132 million units as of December 31, 2016. That number is split as follows: 26% iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, 34% iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, and 33% iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

“The Apple iPhone US installed base now consists almost entirely of iPhones introduced in the past 30 months,” said Josh Lowitz, CIRP Partner and Co-Founder. “The oldest of those phones, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, maintain a significant presence, following their powerful launch. Two quarters after their launch in 2014, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus accounted for 44% of the iPhone installed base, and two years later they still comprise 33% of iPhones in use in the US. Two quarters after launch, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus account for 26% of the installed base, and at the same point, the iPhone 6S and 6S also had a 26% share.”


As of March 31, 2017 the installed base grew 3% relative to the December 31, 2016 quarter and 15% relative to the March 31, 2016 quarter. For comparison, one year ago, the iPhone US installed base grew 7% over the prior quarter and 37% over the prior year.

“Growth in the US installed has slowed considerably in the past year,” added Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. “Many factors contribute to this, including the lengthening ownership cycle, a diminishing number of first-time buyers, and increased Android loyalty. It makes sense that Apple has turned to services revenue as it seeks to monetize this stable base of customers. The question remains, what is iPhone’s saturation level in less mature markets around the world, and to what extent growing service revenue can compensate for flattening US iPhone sales.”

Notably, on Apple's recent earnings call CEO Tim Cook blamed the 'pause' in iPhone sales on the increased rumors and leaks surrounding its next generation device.

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