Apple’s CEO Tim Cook disclosed in the company’s quarterly conference call held on Tuesday that 30 percent of iPhone buyers shifted from Android during the fourth quarter. He also claimed that this is the highest rate of “Switchers” ever to be reported in a three months span.
Cook also mentioned that these numbers refer only to those customers who upgraded from an Android device and were not the fresh buyers.
Tim was sufficiently pleased with the figures and stated:
“It’s a huge number and we’re very proud of it.”
Tim also mentioned that earlier this year, the introduction of the huge-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were the game changers and gave big-screened Android devices a tough time thus stimulating a great number of Android switchers.
The CEO also affirmed that merely a third of current iPhone users have upgraded to the latest iPhones till date. The logic behind this resistance to up gradation were not scrutinized, however lately Apple has contentiously been targeting Apple users.
For instance the Cupertino-based venture launched a ‘trade in program’ allowing users to swap their Android devices for Apple gift cards which could then be used for the acquisition of iOS device. In addition the Apple’s new ‘move to iOS’ app is also intended at assisting Android users to shift to iOS and make the transition smoother. Not to forget, the company also introduced a dedicated webpage for Android switchers back in 2014.
Cook also accepted that a growing number of Android users are expected to shift to iPhone once they are made eligible for a carrier upgrade which when linked with new buyers, should turn substantial first quarter sales for year 2016.
“We have a very open field in front of us,” Cook further added.
Apple proclaimed quarterly return of $51.5 billion and net turnout of $11.1 billion or $1.96 per diluted share. The company all in all sold 48.04 million iPhones, 9.88 million iPads and 5.71 million Macs.