New figures show that the vast majority of people buy their iPhones through carriers, not from the Apple Store. Full story from the iMore Blog...
>>anyone buying an iPhone 14 is only likely to do so from Apple 25% of the time<<
25% is about 44 million iPhones or in the ballpark of 40 billion in iPhone revenue. I don’t think “how FEW people buy iPhones from Apple” is accurate. I’m surprised Amazon has not tried to get in on it.
>> All of this is particularly interesting given Apple's love-hate relationship with carriers. Apple famously doesn't allow carriers to install their bloatware on iPhones, whereas Android phones are often full of it<<
Now ‘Full of it’ seems more accurate. Regardless, bloatware is one of those oft unmentioned but yet another IPhone advantage.
Indeed. In addition, I suspect the majority are in some type of payment plan with their carriers so it makes sense for them to order directly from them instead of from Apple. I’d also add that a good deal of people aren’t interested in waiting in a long line at the Apple Store or waiting up to order on launch day.
Personally, I purchase from the place I can find it the quickest. Sometimes, it’s the Apple Store, other times, it’s Best Buy, Verizon or at a mall that’s not in Orlando.
100% Apple Store. I don’t “finance” anything through my mobile carrier as I don’t want to be “locked in” until it’s paid off.
I do get this view Lee. IME rarely is anything actually free. The upfront cost is just cut into pieces, moved around, spread out, maybe even given nicer sounding names.
I think this is one of things many people overlook. Save money upfront with “free” but never doing the long term math. With that said, carrier deals can save some people money under the right circumstances.
A few times in the past, “financing” an item with Tmo was a little cheaper than Apple. However, it becomes a moot point when I use my Apple Card (for the Apple Cash back) which more than makes the difference. Then I turn around, as soon as the transaction processes, and pay off the charge. It’s a win-win.
I bought my phone through a carrier. I feel like it’s easier than to buy it through the Apple Store. Probably my next iPhone I want to buy it from apple and get the apple experience
Because of good offers with the carrier, people tend to buy it there instead of from the official store!
Because of good offers with the carrier, people tend to buy it there instead of from the official store!
... For me it depends solely upon who has what I want in stock for immediate pickup or delivery at the time of purchase.
...I say purchase from whatever source works best for you and your finances.