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iPhone takes 51% share of smartphone activations at Verizon in Q3, unit sales flat compared to Q2

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Graph by Benedict Evans.

Verizon has just reported their results for the third quarter, with smartphone sales topping 7.6 million units. While the press release does not disclose details about iPhone performance, on Verizon’s conference call, the company announced that iPhones were responsible for just over half of all Verizon’s smartphone activations, compared to about 43% in Q2. It is important to remember the distinction between activations and sales, with activations including passed-down devices to spouses or children as well as the strong iPhone reseller market.

In terms of unit sales, Verizon sold 3.9 million iPhones. This is almost identical to the previous quarter, which is a bit surprising given last quarter saw the launch of the 5s and 5c. Year-over-year, though, sales are up about 26%.

Other US carriers are due to report their sales figures over the next few days, which will provide a fuller picture of iPhone performance. Apple will report total iPhone sales for the September quarter, in two weeks time, in their earnings call.

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    Given the discounts Verizon offered in Q2 and all the effort they put in to clearing inventory to make way for launch , it is not the least surprising to see Q2 and Q3 sales so similar. Q2 went up with discounts, and Q3 went up with no discounts & new phones.

    Thing is, Verizon can’t be all that happy. We haven’t seen AT&T’s numbers yet, but they usually activate as many iPhones in a launch quarter as Verizon does all devices.

  2. Many will be surprised at how much churn is happening with iPhone on T- Mobile now.

  3. Isitjustme - 10 years ago

    “It is important to remember the distinction between activations and sales, with activations including passed-down devices to spouses or children as well as the strong iPhone reseller market.”

    Now tell this to google, droid boy

  4. drtyrell969 - 10 years ago

    Interesting, so without any sizable product announcements, Android captures 49% of the activations. Not a good sign. My friends who have left iPhone in the last month to go to Android Galaxy series phones have all reported in that Apple’s designs are in the dark ages in comparison. The main feature the love is a big screen.

    • standardpull - 10 years ago

      KitKat has a much better design than earlier Android operating systems, letting it compete with iOS7 much better. Android had a lot of early teething problems but not it has hit its stride. Galaxy looks good, but the LG and HTC devices are much more reliable according to the reports. Sadly, the Galaxy reliability numbers look awful – an issue that Samsung has failed to address, and bad performance continues to slam their reputational numbers. Only a subset of Samsung owners are happy after 6 months of ownership – ominous.

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.