Ever since Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in September, the 4.7-inch model has been outselling its bigger sibling around the world. A recent report revealed that the iPhone 6 outsells the phablet model by 3-to-1 in the United States. A new research conducted by mobile advertising firm AppLovin found that the trend was roughly similar worldwide. The 4.7-inch iPhone accounts for 80% of new iPhone sales globally.
Western countries prefer the iPhone 6
The research revealed that the iPhone 6 Plus sales are strongest in Asia. AppLovin processes over 25 billion ad requests every day. It used its high volume of data for the study. Apple sold more than 10 million units of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in their debut weekend, crushing all the previous records. Western countries have shown a clear preference for the 4.7-inch model. But the iPhone 6 Plus is a significant hit in Asian markets.
In countries such as the U.S., UK, Germany, Australia, Norway, the iPhone 6 Plus accounts of roughly 20% of the new iPhones. But it makes up more than 35% of sales in China, the Philippines, Japan and Vietnam. Phablets are already a rage in Asian markets. AppLovin said South Korea was the only Asian country surveyed where the iPhone 6 Plus adoption is less than 35%. In the home market of Samsung, the iPhone 6/6 Plus split was 71/29. It could be due to fierce competition from Samsung and LG’s Android phablets.
iPhone 6 Plus supply issues might be affecting the ratio
According to research firm IDC, phablet shipments are expected to grow to 318 million units next year, much higher than the 233 million forecast for tablets. However, MacRumors says that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus split could be “artificially constrained” by shortage of the iPhone 6 Plus. AppLovin tracked sales for 45 days following the launch of new devices.
Apple’s marketing executive Greg Joswiak said at the Code conference last month that the true ratio would be known only after supply shortages have alleviated.
Apple shares inched up 0.50% to $116.89 in early trading Friday.
