New data from CIRP — as noted by 9to5Mac — indicates that Apple increased its U.S. iPhone activations 10 points in the final quarter of the year, from a 29% share in the September quarter to a 39% share by December, notes the research group.
Activations were up five points year-on-year, from 34% in quarter four of 2016 to 39% in the same quarter in 2017. The iPhone X and iPhone 8/Plus’ popularity edged Apple further ahead of Samsung, notes CIRP.
“In the first full quarter after the launch of its three new models, Apple grew its share relative to Android brands,” Josh Lowitz said. “If we compare change in share from the September quarter to the December quarter in this year and last year, Apple clearly improved its market position. It gained ten percentage points from the September to the December quarter both years, but as it had a better September quarter in 2017 than in 2016, this resulted in an overall stronger December quarter.”
