Apple Saw Largest Number of iPhone Upgraders Ever in Q1 2021

The launch of the new iPhone 12 models that have all-OLED displays, edge-to-edge designs, 5G connectivity, and significant camera improvements, drove an increase in both switchers and upgraders year over year, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during today's earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2021.

iphone 12 vs iphone 12 mini
Cook said that while those switching over from Android and upgraders both increased, Apple saw the largest number of upgraders that it's ever seen in a quarter. "We're very thrilled about that," said Cook.

Apple today announced that it now has more than 1 billion active iPhones worldwide, up from 900 million in 2019, and 1.65 billion total active devices.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 and iOS 27 Features Revealed in New Leak

Friday December 12, 2025 10:56 am PST by
Macworld's Filipe Espósito today revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28. The report said the features are referenced within the code for a leaked internal build of iOS 26 that is not meant to be seen by the public. However, it appears that Espósito and/or his sources managed to gain access to it, providing us with a sneak peek...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone

Thursday December 11, 2025 8:49 am PST by
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon. Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week. iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.2 With Alarms for Reminders, Lock Screen Changes, Enhanced Safety Alerts and More

Friday December 12, 2025 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. ‌iOS 26‌.2 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings >...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3

Thursday December 11, 2025 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS...
macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.2 With Edge Light

Friday December 12, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.2, the second major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.2 comes five weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.1. Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. macOS Tahoe 26.2 includes Edge Light, a feature that illuminates your face with soft...
AirTag 2 Mock Feature

Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code

Thursday December 11, 2025 10:31 am PST by
The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products. Here's what's supposedly coming: An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. AirTag pairing is already...
ipados 26 1 slide over

Apple Releases iPadOS 26.2 With Multitasking Improvements

Friday December 12, 2025 10:09 am PST by
Apple today released iPadOS 26.2, the second major update to the iPadOS 26 operating system released in September. iPadOS 26.2 comes a month after iPadOS 26.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. iPadOS 26.2 continues with the multitasking improvements that were added with iPadOS 26.1. You can now drag and...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Update Now: iOS 26.2 Fixes 20+ Security Vulnerabilities

Friday December 12, 2025 11:11 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2, all of which introduce new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. Apple says that the updates address over 20 vulnerabilities, including two bugs that are known to have been actively exploited. There are a pair of WebKit vulnerabilities that could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code or cause memory...

Top Rated Comments

VPRunner Avatar
64 months ago
I made the jump from the 7 to the 12 mini. Perfect phone for me.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
64 months ago
I went from a five-year-old iPhone 6S Plus... to an iPhone 12 Pro Max...

My upgrade was especially great!

:P
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
64 months ago
This was the best quarter in corporate history.

The most switchers ever...very scary for competition. Apple isn’t losing its grip...it’s strengthening.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
its93rc Avatar
64 months ago
Well, the standard iPhone 12 is a great device for the price. The advertisements were aggressive too and the product is solid. There were tons of carrier promos for the 12 line, in the US, so I'm not surprised people upgraded.

Also, 2020 was a hell of a year. I imagine a lot of people 'treated' themselves to a new phone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
satchmo Avatar
64 months ago
Imagine the numbers if the notch was gone. ;)

Okay, maybe not a dealbreaker to many here and Apple users, but some and probably potential Android switchers where it matters.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VaruLV Avatar
64 months ago
I wonder how the 12S/13 will sell given these numbers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)