The latest data from CIRP for Q4 2018 points to iPhone installed base reaching 189 million units. That’s an increase of 4 million units from Q3 2018 and an increase of 23 million units YoY. Overall, Apple saw its user base in the U.S. increase by just 2 percent in Q4 2018.

That’s despite the launch of the $749 iPhone XR and the iPhone XS and XS Max. With the smartphone market saturating, most people are now clear as to whether they want to use an Android or iPhone as a daily driver. So it makes sense that the iPhone installed base did not grow by much in Q4 2018. While not mentioned in the report, the numbers are going to be likely similar in the Android ecosystem as well.

“With slowing iPhone sales, the installed base of iPhones in use in the US grew only slightly in the quarter,” said Josh Lowitz, CIRP Partner and Co-Founder. “As Apple itself indicated, iPhone revenues declined relative to last year, driven primarily by reduced demand in overseas markets. US sales remain relatively stable, which shows up in slight growth in the US installed base. With longer replacement cycles and high loyalty rates for consumers upgrading from iPhones as well as Android phones, the modest growth in the installed base of iPhones in the US is primarily driven by first-time smartphone buyers and the limited number of platform switchers from Android to iOS.”

The lack of Android users switching to an iPhone can also be attributed to the slowdown in iPhone sales. This same story is playing out with Apple in not just the United States but other developed parts of the world. It is only in China and India where Apple has the potential to further expand iPhone sales but due to stiff competition from Chinese OEMs and high prices, it has been unable to do so.

The data has been estimated by CIRP on the basis of Apple selling 62 million iPhones with an ASP of $839. It surveyed 500 Apple customers in the US between December 31, 2018 – January 10, 2019 who purchased an iPhone, iPad, or Mac in Q4 2019.

Like this post? Share it!

Subscribe to iPhoneHacks Daily Newsletter

Sign up for our iPhoneHacks Daily newsletter to get the top Apple news stories delivered to your inbox.