9 hours Ago By Omair Pall
Apple’s base model iPhones have made up a significant portion of the company’s smartphone sales in 2024, representing 42% of total iPhone sales. However, when breaking it down by individual models, the iPhone Pro Max takes the top spot, accounting for 26% of sales. These insights come from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) and paint an interesting picture of how Apple’s iPhone lineup is evolving.
It’s important to note that Apple’s tiered product strategy, offering multiple generations of base model iPhones at different price points, plays a role in these figures, whereas the Pro and Pro Max models are always tied to a single, current generation. That 42% share for the base models includes sales across several iPhone generations, which highlights how popular the entry-level models still are. In contrast, the iPhone Pro makes up 19% of sales, and the Plus models, which replaced the iPhone mini in 2022, now account for 13%.
The Plus model's success is particularly interesting because it has outperformed the mini in market share, signaling that larger iPhones are finding favor with more users. These are the best-selling iPhone models in 2024 according to a new report 😳 42% of new iPhone sales are the base models Source: @cirpllc pic.twitter.
com/UeOPujP1Ki — Apple Hub (@theapplehub) November 20, 2024 One of the key takeaways from the data is a clear shift in consumer preferences toward larger screens. When Apple first launched the iPhone 6 Plus in 2014, many questioned whether customers would warm to the idea of larger phones. Fast forward to 2024, and the combined sales of the iPhone Plus and Pro Max models now make up 39% of all iPhone sales.
This shows how much the market has shifted toward bigger displays, with users seemingly prioritizing screen size more than ever before. The financial impact of these larger models is also significant. Both the Plus and Pro Max versions are priced higher than the standard models, which, despite having similar internal components, helps drive Apple’s average selling price (ASP) and gross margins.
These higher-end models are contributing notably to the company’s profitability, demonstrating how effective Apple’s pricing strategy has been in maintaining its strong financial position. It’s also worth noting that the data excludes the iPhone SE, Apple’s more affordable model, which further emphasizes the strong showing of their higher-end devices. This reflects how well Apple has managed to diversify its iPhone lineup, catering to a variety of customer needs and budgets, while still maintaining robust sales across different size categories.
Looking ahead, CIRP's analysis raises an interesting question: how will the rumored iPhone 17 "Air," expected to be slimmer but not necessarily larger, fit into Apple’s evolving strategy? It will be fascinating to see how Apple continues to balance its range of iPhones in response to changing consumer demands and preferences. SEE ALSO: iPhone 17 Slim Design, Specs Leaked; Set To Feature Single 24 MP Rear And Front Camera.
