Older iPhone 5 and iPad 2 Models Still Lead Apple's iOS Device Lineups in Usage

As Apple prepares to launch its new iPhone 6, the iPhone 5 remains the company's most popular model in use, claims Localytics in a report that examines both mobile and web app analytics data from over 100 million iOS devices for the month of August 2014. According to the report, the iPhone 5 has 27 percent market share, edging out the year-old iPhone 5s, which has 25 percent. The now free on contract iPhone 4S rounds out the top three with 21 percent of the iPhone market.

iphone_device_share_localytics
With a new iPhone 6 on the horizon, these iPhone numbers will undoubtedly shift as owners upgrade their phones. The biggest change will likely be in the iPhone 5, which will lose market share as customers take advantage of upgrade offers.

The iPhone 5, launched in 2012, is Apple’s most popular phone with a 27% share, but only leads its successor, the 5s, by a small (2%) margin. This is likely because most iPhones come with a cheaper price if the consumer locks into a two-year contract, putting the average consumer on a two-year upgrade cycle. With the new iPhones expected to be available for purchase later this month, the iPhone 6 will likely eat into the iPhone 5’s market share.

ipad_device_sharelocalytics
While consumers tend to upgrade their iPhone on a regular basis, the latest Localytics data suggests the iPad has a longer lifespan. Though it is more than three years old, the iPad 2 remains the most popular iPad model in the company's lineup with 29 percent market share. Though it is heavily advertised and has received rave reviews, the current iPad Air occupies fifth place with 13 percent market share, beating only the original iPad.

In the past couple of years, Apple has launched the iPhone in September and the iPad in October, but one recent rumor claimed the company may unveil both devices during its press event tomorrow. But while numerous have pointed toward introduction for both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6, along with the iWatch, new iPads are less certain.

Related Roundup: iPad
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Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Top Rated Comments

El Pollo Diablo Avatar
125 months ago
I had expected a much bigger share, actually. It was priced attractively and had the specs of the 5. And I still like the design more than the 5. But I guess it never caught on with the public. I wouldn't be surprised if it was retired after Tuesday's keynote.

I don't think $549 is very attractive for a last gen phone in a cheaper casing, when the current generation is priced at $649. If you're already shelling out that much for a phone you probably can afford the extra $100 for the better and more exclusive looking model.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ballis Avatar
126 months ago
Probably will for a long time. The iPhone 5/5S are beautiful. The 6 not so much.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
caerulea Avatar
125 months ago
iPad 2 is likely "still" popular because...

It's more likely the iPad 2 is "still" popular because when Apple introduced the iPad Air, they dropped the iPad 4 and re-introduced the iPad 2 as the "cheap previous generation" version, and it remained so for quite some time. They only brought back the iPad 4 as the cheaper 16 gb version this past March.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QCassidy352 Avatar
126 months ago
Makes sense to me, as I haven't seen a reason to upgrade my iPhone 5 or ipad 2 for several years now. iPhone 5 being in the lead is especially interesting since it never became the lower cost model (replaced by 5c instead).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markyr17 Avatar
125 months ago
The iPhone 5 still being the most used doesn't surprise me. The 5s was the worst iPhone to release with little to no changes. Nobody in their right mind would have upgraded to it.
There are a hell of a lot of people "not in their right mind" then
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
taptic Avatar
125 months ago
I hope these numbers get Apple to price the iPad mini back at $330...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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