Regular readers know that we try to stay up to date with the latest rumors and developments about the Apple iPhone 5, and the nearer its release gets, the more we hear.
Survey suggests iPhone 5 already a winner
The iconic nature of the Apple iPhone and its millions of devotees means that any new release will sell well regardless of its features. This brand-loyalty is stronger that thought according to recent figures, as a recent poll shows that 71% of iPhone users are “highly likely” to stay with the platform. If you assume that many of these people use an iPhone, that’s an enormous number of units sold before the device is even developed, even if only some decide to upgrade to iPhone 5. 21% of respondents said they’d never leave the platform, and so the number of prospective buyers rises even further.
The survey done by Goldman Sachs that reveals these figures has come our way from AppleInsider. It asked just 1,000 iOS users in general, rather than just iPhone users, but the results are probably in line with what you’d get if you asked just iPhone users. This level of brand loyalty is amazing, and in an investors note earlier this week, Bill Shops of Goldman Sachs reckoned that the collective iOS customer value is worth around $295 billion, or $1,053 per head, to Apple.
The GS survey looked at the costs to customers of changing platforms. 21% said they’d never leave Apple no matter what discount from another platform was offered to them. Among the unsure customers, more than half said the discount would have to be 30% or greater to tempt them away from iOS. 71% of respondents said they were “highly likely” to stay with iOS for their next smartphone and 23% were “likely” to do so. A mere 1% said they were “unlikely” to stay with Apple.
As some of you know, last week marked the 5th birthday of the iPhone, and an infographic on Mashable revealed some fascinating stats about the iPhone’s success. In March 2012, Apple had sold 218 million iPhones, creating a revenue of $140 billion. The last financial quarter saw 58% of Apple’s total revenue coming from iPhone sales.
So, unless Apple suddenly goes rotten, the onward march of the iPhone seems like a done deal. To recap – the iPhone 5 has already sold “in theory” to many just because of brand loyalty. How many real sales will occur has yet to be seen, but it will be interesting to find out how many iPhone 5 buyers have previously owned an iPhone.
