With Google, Xiaomi, and Huawei all releasing
powerful smartphones with mid-spec features
for less than $400, we ask whether it’s time
for Apple to introduce its own low-cost
iPhone. In today’s competitive times where
Apple’s smartphone market share is shrinking,
appealing to price-conscious consumers yet to
jump to iOS could be just what the Cupertino
firm needs...
APPLE’S SMARTPHONE BATTLE
iPhone and Affordable are not two words you’d
often string together in the same sentence, but
as the smartphone battle heats up and global
smartphone shipments are down, Apple needs
to do more to appease investors and ensure
consumers stay locked-in to the iOS and Apple
ecosystems. According to Canalys, smartphone
shipments fell 18% year-over-year during the
quarter, hitting a five-year low of 36.4 million
units, with Apple shipping 14.6 million iPhones
in the first quarter of 2019. That’s down more
than 19 percent on last year - concerning
considering Samsung’s shipments increased
3% year-on-year in comparison.
What’s perhaps most interesting about Canalys’
data is that of the 14.6 million iPhones sold in
the first three months of 2019, 4.5 million were
iPhone XR units, whilst retail discounts on older
models such as the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7
also helped to prop up sales. That’s without
mentioning the significant discounts the
company has been offering on the XR and XS
models, allowing price cuts of up to $500 for
those willing to trade in their old iPhone X.
Indeed, at first glance, the figures may look
concerning, but Apple has still managed to hold