The iPhone 16s has just arrived in stores. According to information obtained by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple's entry-level smartphone is enjoying encouraging sales reception. In fact, it's even outselling the iPhone SE 3, its direct predecessor.
The new iPhone is recording 60% higher sales than those of the previous affordable iPhone during the first three days of marketing, indicates Gurman, relaying figures from the analysis firm IDC. The iPhone 16e is nevertheless significantly more expensive than the third-generation iPhone SE. Apple offers the device at a starting price of 719 euros, compared to 559 euros for its predecessor.
Why the iPhone 16e is selling very well
To explain these excellent sales figures, we can point to Apple's strategy. With the iPhone 16e, the brand offers an iPhone very similar to the standard iPhone 16, for 250 euros less. The smartphone should appeal to consumers who want to upgrade to iOS without spending too much. The absence of certain flagship features, such as the Magsafe magnetic charger, does not put off all customers.
The phone could also convince owners of a previous iPhone SE looking for a bit of new blood. The iPhone 16e stands out from Apple's previous affordable models with its revised and updated design. Instead of a screen with wide bezels, there is a display panel topped with a notch. From a purely visual point of view, this is a step forward for this segment of consumers.
Moreover, the iPhone 16th benefits from Apple Intelligence, which Apple has sought to establish as a new selling point. The smartphone should therefore appeal to people who absolutely want to take advantage of Apple's latest AI software innovations at a moderate price.
Nevertheless, the iPhone 16e is not shaping up to be a best-seller. Even if it sells better than the iPhone SE, it should remain less popular than the other iPhone 16s, particularly the Pro models. Generally, Apple has more success with the highest-end devices in its catalog.
China, a complicated market for the iPhone 16th
Despite these increased sales, the iPhone 16th may not be able to boost iPhone sales in China, a key market for all manufacturers. During the current year, Apple smartphone sales are expected to decline by 2% in the Chinese market. Last year, Apple sales had already plunged by more than 10%, to the benefit of Vivo.
In China, some of the shortcomings of the iPhone 16th, such as the single camera sensor, storage space that starts at 128GB, and "insufficient AI features" could hurt sales, says Mark Gurman. Nabila Popal, senior director at IDC, said Android competition, which "will be even stronger," will also overshadow the new affordable iPhone. Brands like Oppo, Huawei, and Honor are expected to continue to eat into Apple's market share with devices with knockdown prices.
Source: Bloomberg
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