Michal Ždanský The iPhone 5c is often referred to as a flop, at least some media outlets like to call it that. The only plastic iPhone in Apple's current offer, which replaced the discounted iPhone 5, according to Tim Cook did not live up to expectations company in terms of customer interest. They preferred the new high-end iPhone 5s, which is only $100 more expensive than the iPhone 5 in a plastic (but good-looking) body.
For journalists desperately trying to find a reason why Apple is doomed, this information was grist to their mill, and we learned why low iPhone 5c sales are bad news for Apple (even if it sold more 5s instead of more 5cs) and why the company didn't quite understand the concept of a low-budget phone, even though it was never Apple's target market segment. However, as it turns out, the iPhone 5c was far from such a flop. In fact, every phone released last year other than the iPhone 5s would have to be called a flop.
Server & Hosting Apple Insider brought an interesting analysis that puts sales in context. It is the first to show the available data of American operators that publish the ranking of the best-selling phones. After the launch of both models, the iPhone 5c always took either second or third place, and the only phone that beat it was the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung's flagship at the time. However, America is a very specific market for Apple and it is not entirely fair to compare only the overseas market, when the balance of power in the world is completely different and Android has a clear advantage in Europe, for example.
Although Apple reports the number of iPhones sold in its quarterly financial results, it does not distinguish between individual models. Only Apple knows the actual number of iPhone 5c sold. Multiple analysts estimates that of the 51 million iPhones sold during the winter period, there were less than 13 million (12,8 million) just 5c, 5s should have received roughly 32 million and the rest should have been earned by the 4S model. The ratio of phones sold is roughly 5:2:1 from the newest to the oldest. And how have other manufacturers and their flagships fared during the same period?
Samsung has not published official Galaxy S4 sales results, it is estimated however, that it sold around nine million units. LG isn't doing nearly as well with its G2. Again, these are not official numbers, but estimates they are talking about 2,3 million pieces. Thus, iPhone 5c has probably sold more than the flagships of Samsung and LG combined. As for other platforms, Nokia Lumia phones with Windows Phone sold out during the winter quarter 8,2 million, which also accounts for 90% of all phone sales with Microsoft's operating system. And BlackBerry? Six million of all phones sold, including those not running BB10.
So does this mean that all other manufacturers' flagships were flops? If we use the same yardstick that 5c journalists use, then yes. But if we reverse the context and compare the 5c with other successful flagship phones, such as the undoubtedly Samsung Galaxy S4, the iPhone 5c was a very successful product, although it remained far behind the sales of the newer model 5s. To call the second best-selling phone in the world (behind the Q4) a flop really requires a significant amount of moral self-denial.
But this is a meaningless article. If Samsung were to sell only 3-4 mobile phones, the sales of certain models would be elsewhere. It's like comparing apples and oranges.
Well, ... that the article will be based on the word "APPERABLE" and on estimates, it could have been mentioned already in the title - I would have saved a little time ... Thumbs down (unfortunately)
5c, although I replaced it with 5 and I won't allow it, it is not a flagship and thus cannot be compared with the TOP model of any manufacturer. Not to mention that there is an obvious attempt to twist statistics and information to make Apple look good, which I don't think is needed. Even a master carpenter gets cut, and Apple is no exception. It is perhaps not necessary to claim at all costs that Apple does not make mistakes.
These odes to Apple are becoming more and more common on this server - unfortunately. Even though I have iOS, these fanatical articles and flying around the world will force me to unsubscribe Apple users... :/ And that was in my imaginary first place.
complete agreement. There is no overview here. Whatever apple makes is the best according to the apple lover. Apple doesn't make mistakes.
I don't think there's anything "fanatic" about it, but it's simply getting even with Apple's critics. The author of the article clearly argues with numbers and argues with non-Apple phone fanatics.
That's everyone's point of view, for me arguing with numbers that are estimates is not an argument. There will be fanatics on both sides, and I'm starting to feel that the apple picker is becoming one of them... I don't force that opinion on anyone, but that's how I see it.
Don't get mad at me, but it's still an "atrocity". I'm used to unibody and aluminum even from the iPod NANO 3G !!! (2008). Plastic, in whatever noble form, will always be a step backwards for me. And I'm also glad that plastics are disappearing more and more...
5c is, was and will be a flop. If it would cost CZK 3999, it would be a megahit.
For all the money I want luxury, not PLASTIC!!
Exactly, even the biggest budget Shuffle was aluminum :D
Was the plastic iPhone okay years ago?
I wanted a Mercedes, I have a Škoda, but that doesn't matter, the neighbor has a Trabík. So I'm doing great! Everything is relative, it is important to be able to look at things from the right angle.. ;-)
If the numbers at least approximately fit, then the article is fine in my opinion, although it is clear who the author is rooting for. But it's not so surprising on the app website, is it? Beating the biggest competition not only with your flagship, but also with your second phone (which is in the same price category as other flagships), in my opinion, is a success. He could fall short of expectations, but he is far from a flop.
– Whoever expected a phone from Apple for 4000 probably lives on a different planet than me :-)
– Anyone who has held a 5C in their hand knows that it cannot be compared to plastics from Samsung.