Apple's official iPhone 5s & 5c cases prove popular, though most customers ignore brand
Apple newly released cases for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c have quickly proven popular, carving away market share from popular casemakers like Otterbox, though most iPhone owners simply don't know who makes the case they own.
The latest data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows that 76 percent of iPhone buyers also own a case for their handset. Among those who have purchased Apple's new iPhone 5s, 15 percent bought Apple's official premium case, while 10 percent of iPhone 5c owners went with the company's first-party accessory.
The data from CRIP suggests that some of Apple's initial success came at a cost to Otterbox, the largest third-party case maker. For the previous-generation iPhone 4S, CIRP's survey found that Otterbox accounted for more than 50 percent of all cases in use.
In contrast, Otterbox's share of the newer iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c was just over 20 percent for each handset.
But the largest percentage of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c case owners simply don't know who makes their case. Among those polled, nearly half of all iPhone 5c owners indicated they don't know their case's brand, while 30 percent of iPhone 5s owners were unsure who made their accessory -- representing larger shares than Otterbox, Apple, or anyone else was able to carve out.
Other case makers -- such as Belkin, Griffin, Incase, Incipio, LifeProof,Speck, and Spigen -- did not command a large enough share to be singled out like Apple or Otterbox. Collectively, they represent about 30 percent of iPhone 5s cases in use, and just over 20 percent of iPhone 5c cases, according to the survey.
"Apple targeted the biggest accessory segment by introducing new iPhone 5S and 5C cases with the launch of the new phones," said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. "Otterbox dominates the market for iPhone 4S cases, though, with over half of the market. A number of other case makers, including Belkin, Griffin, Incase, Incipio, LifeProof, Speck, and Spigen, each have a couple of percentage points in share of all three iPhone models. And, a significant percentage of all iPhone owners, including almost half of iPhone 5C owners, do not know their case brand or manufacturer."
CIRP's findings are based on a survey of 400 phone customers that activated their iPhone in the U.S. after the launch of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Sept. 20. The poll found that cases have the highest accessory attach rate for iPhone users, beating out screen protectors and car chargers, which about half of iPhone owners have, as well as Bluetooth headsets, which are owned by 20 percent of iPhone users.
The latest data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows that 76 percent of iPhone buyers also own a case for their handset. Among those who have purchased Apple's new iPhone 5s, 15 percent bought Apple's official premium case, while 10 percent of iPhone 5c owners went with the company's first-party accessory.
The data from CRIP suggests that some of Apple's initial success came at a cost to Otterbox, the largest third-party case maker. For the previous-generation iPhone 4S, CIRP's survey found that Otterbox accounted for more than 50 percent of all cases in use.
In contrast, Otterbox's share of the newer iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c was just over 20 percent for each handset.
But the largest percentage of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c case owners simply don't know who makes their case. Among those polled, nearly half of all iPhone 5c owners indicated they don't know their case's brand, while 30 percent of iPhone 5s owners were unsure who made their accessory -- representing larger shares than Otterbox, Apple, or anyone else was able to carve out.
Other case makers -- such as Belkin, Griffin, Incase, Incipio, LifeProof,Speck, and Spigen -- did not command a large enough share to be singled out like Apple or Otterbox. Collectively, they represent about 30 percent of iPhone 5s cases in use, and just over 20 percent of iPhone 5c cases, according to the survey.
"Apple targeted the biggest accessory segment by introducing new iPhone 5S and 5C cases with the launch of the new phones," said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. "Otterbox dominates the market for iPhone 4S cases, though, with over half of the market. A number of other case makers, including Belkin, Griffin, Incase, Incipio, LifeProof, Speck, and Spigen, each have a couple of percentage points in share of all three iPhone models. And, a significant percentage of all iPhone owners, including almost half of iPhone 5C owners, do not know their case brand or manufacturer."
CIRP's findings are based on a survey of 400 phone customers that activated their iPhone in the U.S. after the launch of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Sept. 20. The poll found that cases have the highest accessory attach rate for iPhone users, beating out screen protectors and car chargers, which about half of iPhone owners have, as well as Bluetooth headsets, which are owned by 20 percent of iPhone users.
Comments
That iPhone 5C case - the most ugliest.
I have a cheap plastic case on my 4S simply because I couldn't find a better case I liked.
being an owner of the leather case, i'd have to say it's a mixed bag. I have the Gold 5s with a Product (RED) leather case.
Half of me really likes the soft-touch yet grippy leather. However i find it gets really dirty very quickly.
now that may be because of the very supple and toothy leather. And i consider myself extremely cleanly person, but damn that case gets dirty quick. So ½ of me thinks it's great, the other thing is self-conscious that i'm a dirt magnet.
I think had Apple had any forethought about the longevity of their cases, they'd test them for 2-3 months prior to final release. I would have preferred a more burnished and smooth leather, like a wallet. would attract much less dirt and easier to clean.
That iPhone 5C case - the most ugliest.
I disagree....I have one on mine and love it. To each his own I guess. You're most likely not the demographic Apple is going after anyways with the 5C.
Surprised that anyone bothers with a case on a 5c, I never did with my 3GS.
Plastic is plastic, who cares if it gets scratched?
The 5s case (with the exception of the black) is a pure case of form over function. I've had to return 2 until settling on the black. I had both the yellow, then Red.
Both after 2 weeks looked absolutely disgusting- and I take good care of my devices. The simple oils of your hands change it rapidly into the nastiest looking iPhone you'd ever want to see. You've been warned.
Trying to clean it only make it look worse.
Surprised that anyone bothers with a case on a 5c, I never did with my 3GS.
Plastic is plastic, who cares if it gets scratched?
I do...I care about the things I own. I don't like having things look like shit. Apparently you don't care. Its called pride of ownership which you obviously don't have.
And, I expect to get money back on the phone when I sell it so I have money to upgrade. I sold my iPhone 4S for more than I paid for it brand new (on contract). It paid for my iPhone 5C and AppleCare+.
I love the feel and fit of the leather case but it looks nasty dirty. The Apple store site warned that it would discolor as it aged so I can't really fault them.
Otterbox Commuter/4S owner here. Otter downgraded the quality of their materials sometime between late 2011 and mid-2012... my spouse's Commuter case is less grippy, and has an altogether cheaper feel in the hand.
When I had to replace my case a couple of months ago (damaged), I lucked up and found a "first generation" version on clearance at a local store. Next time, I will definitely give competing products a closer look.
Erm...the millions of people who buy cases for their plastic phones?
Missed the q on launch day so the local Apple store ( ran out of ATT 5S) said I could order on line.
Customer Service was so nice they gave me the $39 - black free.
Still wish Apple could design a case that would let the whole design of the iPhone show through.
Discoloration is one thing - but the fact is it's uncleanable.
Try taking it back to Apple. Bring it along with a black one to a sales rep and they might exchange it- even after a month. You'r e not the only one with this problem. I was able after 3 weeks to exchange for a black.
I do...I care about the things I own. I don't like having things look like shit. Apparently you don't care. Its called pride of ownership which you obviously don't have.
And, I expect to get money back on the phone when I sell it so I have money to upgrade. I sold my iPhone 4S for more than I paid for it brand new (on contract). It paid for my iPhone 5C and AppleCare+.
My iPhone 4s is in pristine condition, as is my iMac, MacBook Pro and iPad 3. I guess the difference between us is that I see the Aluminium and Glass design as a thing of beauty that needs protecting, whereas the cheap plastic iPhone 5c is more of a utility use and abuse kind of device.
Don't get me wrong, a more rugged/plastic design can be very useful to a lot of people.