While constrained supplies of the iPhone 6 Plus initially meant the 4.7-inch model was outselling its larger 5.5-inch brother by a ratio of 6-to-1, three different sources are now all reporting that the current ratio has settled down to 3-to-1.
Above Avalon notes that Mixpanel, Fiksu and Baidu/Umeng data all tells the same story – even in China, where the larger model was expected to be more popular.
Of course, as the piece notes, stock availability may still be influencing purchase decisions to some degree, but the difference in supply times for the two models is now just measured in a few days.
Among 9to5Mac readers, the gap between the two is much closer, at a little under a 2-to-1 ratio, suggesting that the larger device has greater appeal among techies. It’s also not surprising that on an early adopter platform the two iPhone 6 models outnumber all other models combined.
Mixpanel and Fiksu data can be seen below.
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Or that people with the larger phone browse the web more often.
It’ll definitely be a Plus size for me next year. This is a portable computer, not a phone. If I were to use the iPhone as an actual Phone, then the 4/4s was/is the ultimate form factor.
Agreed. I think Steve Jobs always saw it as a phone still and didn’t realize the potential of this becoming a person’s all-in-one mobile computer. This is something Samsung did realize earlier and as much as I hate that company for many other reasons, I won’t take away from them this credit. I think Apple and Steve at the time were more focused on the iPad as that device, keeping the phone a phone. I have to admit that while I thought the first Note phones looked completely stupid in people’s hands, now that almost all phones are big to huge, I’ve gotten used to it as the new normal and older iPhones look silly tiny now. I’m still reluctant to get a 6 Plus just because I don’t know how I’d live with it (would I never be able to sit down with it in my front pocket, where will it go in my car?? etc). But when I see one in public or at the store, I am slightly jealous. :)
I went from a 4s to a Note 2 and in the first couple of weeks I wanted to go back to the iPhone. Massive size difference and Android to get used to took a while but I wouldn’t go back now. You’ll probably love the 6 plus!
Also you’re right some pants pockets aren’t big enough for these phones. Don’t tell anyone but I had one of my jeans pockets altered to fit my phone and be comfortable when I sit :D. My friends found that hilarious but now one of them has done that too to fit his new 6 plus! >.< (which he loves and one of many who said they'd never get a phablet before Apple finally let them have one).
iPhone 6 and 6 plus models settled down to 3 to 1 after 6 to 1 lead… Now, imagine if Apple had and was able to maintain constant stock of both size models for all carriers, in all colors, and in all GB sizes what that lead, if any, would be. Signed a iPhone 6 plus soon to be purchaser.
Makes sense; the 6 Plus isn’t a phone.
oops: pipped by Bruno Fernandes
Can’t find the old article but if you look back I said I thought it would be 15 – 20% of sales in the end :)
Not really that unexpected since phoneblet sales are about 20% for all of the other phone manufactures that sell both.
Really? Last year I remember reading that the Note 3 made up less than 10% of sales from Samsung’s “premium” lineup.
I seriously believe this whole Plus frenzy is a phase. The problem is the Plus version, with its large size, heaviness, and gigantic bezels is just a poorly constructed iPhone 6 after thought. If Apple doesn’t withhold major features from future 4.7inch iPhones (which they probably will every single year to bump sales), you can expect the ratio to be even higher.
I know for a fact, from having seen a random selection of orders from Western Europe, that early orders were nearly equal for both models, with the 6 having a slight edge. Whether Apple can keep up with the unexpectedly high demand for the 6 Plus is one question, as customers desperate for a new phone might just settle for the easier-to-get 6. Whether the relative demand remained constant as potential customers saw for themselves how great the 6 Plus looks and feels is another question.
btw: no espionage, hacking or subterfuge was involved in gaining this knowledge. Through an administrative error on Apple’s part, I had temporary ability to view many others’ orders through my own Apple account. The problem was promptly reported to Apple and has since been fixed.