Apple shipped 46.6 million iPhones in the third quarter of 2019, which was a slight decline year-over-year but still better than most expectations, according to IDC.
The company continues to sell some refurbished iPhones via its own channels, which sustain and possibly grow the installed base, but also impact iPhone revenues, adds the research group. Newer iPhones, specifically the iPhone 11s and XR, did very well this quarter, capturing strong share in important markets like the U.S. and Western Europe.
Worldwide smartphone shipments increased 0.8% year over year in the third quarter of 2019, reversing seven quarters of decline. IDC says that, in total, companies shipped a total 358.3 million smartphones during the quarter, which was up 8.1% from the previous quarter and enough to return the industry to positive growth.
