Apple shipped one billionth iOS device in Q1, expects continued iPhone momentum
During its quarterly conference call on Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company had sold its one billionth iOS device in the December quarter, a device that will be kept at Cupertino for posterity.
Apple's one billionth iOS device shipment, a number calculated from total iPhone, iPad and iPod touch sales, is emblematic of the mobile operating system's global appeal and marks a momentous achievement for the consumer electronics space.
"On Nov. 22, we shipped our one billionth iOS device," Cook said. "It was a space-gray 64GB iPhone 6 Plus, which we've saved here at Apple."
It's fitting that an Phone 6 Plus was the billionth device sold as the handset is Apple's latest and greatest smartphone. With shipments consistently in the tens of millions, rocketing up to 74.5 million for the three months ending in December, the iPhone can be considered as the platform on which iOS truly came into its own.
Early in the call, Cook put this quarter's iPhone sales numbers into perspective, saying the massive 74.5 million units sold equates to about 34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
Despite record sales, Cook said there is ample space for growth in upgraders and, perhaps more importantly, first-time smartphone buyers. Apple did not reveal an exact customer mix for the first fiscal quarter, but Cook noted the percentage of people upgrading from older devices was below 14 percent, and in fact only barely cracked the teens.
Cook also mentioned sustained momentum driven by consumers living in burgeoning markets, many of whom do not yet own a smartphone.
As some expected, the larger 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus "phablet" drew a large number of users away from Android devices. Prior to the current iPhone generation, critics of the handset negatively compared screen size with Android smartphones that were usually much larger. It appears the decision to go bigger paid off.
Apple's one billionth iOS device shipment, a number calculated from total iPhone, iPad and iPod touch sales, is emblematic of the mobile operating system's global appeal and marks a momentous achievement for the consumer electronics space.
"On Nov. 22, we shipped our one billionth iOS device," Cook said. "It was a space-gray 64GB iPhone 6 Plus, which we've saved here at Apple."
It's fitting that an Phone 6 Plus was the billionth device sold as the handset is Apple's latest and greatest smartphone. With shipments consistently in the tens of millions, rocketing up to 74.5 million for the three months ending in December, the iPhone can be considered as the platform on which iOS truly came into its own.
Early in the call, Cook put this quarter's iPhone sales numbers into perspective, saying the massive 74.5 million units sold equates to about 34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
Despite record sales, Cook said there is ample space for growth in upgraders and, perhaps more importantly, first-time smartphone buyers. Apple did not reveal an exact customer mix for the first fiscal quarter, but Cook noted the percentage of people upgrading from older devices was below 14 percent, and in fact only barely cracked the teens.
Cook also mentioned sustained momentum driven by consumers living in burgeoning markets, many of whom do not yet own a smartphone.
As some expected, the larger 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus "phablet" drew a large number of users away from Android devices. Prior to the current iPhone generation, critics of the handset negatively compared screen size with Android smartphones that were usually much larger. It appears the decision to go bigger paid off.
Comments
Is the price of this device substracted from the results figures ?
It took McDonalds nine years since Ray Kroc first set up shop to serve a billion burgers!
Considering the per-burger v. per-iOS device price differential, this is just beyond comprehension.
How the hell are they making them that fast?
"34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
How the hell are they making them that fast?
Wizards may be involved.
If this were Samsung, the headline would read ....... "Samsung sold 1 billionth Android device ........."
They weren't worldwide, not even nationwide. Nonetheless what Apple has accomplished is impressive.
"34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
How the hell are they making them that fast?
Well, when Foxconn and Pegatron post earnings, you'll know.
I suggested fairies in another thread.
"34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
How the hell are they making them that fast?
They're not, which is why they didn't catch up with demand until well into January.
The first one; sure.
As this article noted, the proportion of current iPhone owners upgrading was relatively small: 14% or so. Poor Android users in third world countries are who we should thank for this quarter's stellar numbers. Apple have effectively gifted them their mobile netbook. Those who can't afford the iPad can make do with a big iPhone instead. Whether that's the wisest strategy in the long term remains to be seen. I think it's probably good, as it expands Apple's market base and decreases the discrepancy between the iPod's market domination back in the day and the iPhone's current relative niche status.
In an ideal world, I think Apple would have brought a bigger iPad out last year, but they were probably concentrating on the iPhone.
For me, here are Apple's goals for this year:
1. Abandon the Apple Watch.
2. Trim the iPad line. Too many models.
3. Bring out a large iPad.
4. Bring out a Retina 13" MacBook Air. Kill the 11". Bring out an 18" MacBook Pro.
5. Bring out a 4.2" flagship iPhone.
6. Bring out a combined download/subscription service for iTunes.
7. Fix the software.
8. Think different.
"34,000 handsets "every hour, 24 hours a day, every day of the quarter."
How the hell are they making them that fast?
People called Tim Cook a supply line genius. Apparently they were right.
I'm sorry but u lost me at "abandon the apple watch"
The apple watch will be big! And I believe it will change the watch industry. Heck I want one!
More like:
(1) Do what Tim says.
Your list is a roadmap to insolvency. I was looking for the /s tag but didn't see it there.
It took McDonalds nine years since Ray Kroc first set up shop to serve a billion burgers!
Considering the per-burger v. per-iOS device price differential, this is just beyond comprehension.
They weren't worldwide, not even nationwide. Nonetheless what Apple has accomplished is impressive.
Huh? Do you think Apple was worldwide when they first introduced the iPhone?
C'mon, what a churlish post....
Oh but 3 contradicting 2 is just so previous: shouldn't be missed. ????