The number of new iPhone activations in the United States has hit a new low not seen in the past 12 months as Android continues to eat away at Apple’s market share, according to new data released by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).
According to CIRP, new iPhone activations in the US now account for 33 percent of total smartphone activations in the country. This represents a 12-month low from the iPhone’s share of 40 percent of total activations last seen in March 2023. The figure observed a year ago has steadily declined over the past year, bringing iPhone activations to a new 12-month low and reversing growth achieved over the past six years. The last time iPhone activations attained a share of 33 percent before March 2023 was in 2017, CIRP adds.
While the total number of iPhones in use today across the US is likely much higher than the figure of new activations, the trend nevertheless sets a worrying trend for Apple and iPhone sales. CIRP adds that there are now two new Android activations for every single iPhone activation in the US.
The figures come at a difficult state for iPhone sales worldwide as reports mount of declining shipments for the iPhone, particularly in China. Earlier this week, it was reported that iPhone sales in China dropped by as much as a fifth during Q1 2024, making Apple the third-largest smartphone vendor in the county after it was the first during most of last year.
With the iPhone 16 lineup not expected to bring notable changes over the iPhone 15, Apple could be looking at a tough 12-month period ahead for iPhone sales. However, the introduction of generative AI features with iOS 18 could be the kiss of life that the Cupertino company needs to reinvigorate interest in the iPhone.
