Apple Grows iPhone Share in US, Despite Overseas Challenges

While iPhone sales have been lackluster in some overseas markets, Apple’s smartphone continues to gain users in the US, according to eMarketer.

Their latest mobile usage forecast shows that the iPhone’s user base ticked up 5% in 2018 and will grow another 3% this year. In 2019, 105.2 million people in the US will use an iPhone, giving Apple a 45.2% share of the US smartphone market. That share will grow 0.1% each year through 2021.

“The variety of iPhones available at different price points has contributed to the smartphone’s continued success in the US,“ said eMarketer forecasting director Shelleen Shum.  “The Apple ecosystem, along with the brand’s reputation for creativity and privacy, is still remarkably effective in maintaining user loyalty and attracting new users.“

Android will continue to dominate the US smartphone market, having overtaken Apple in 2011. This year, Android usage will grow more than 3% to 124.4 million people. Its share of US smartphone users will increase to 53.4% in 2019, and reach 53.8% by 2021. Both Android and Apple continue to steal share from BlackBerry and Windows phones.

“The good news for major players is that smartphones from Chinese manufacturers, like Xiaomi and Huawei, which are often available at lower price points, do not pose an immediate threat in the US due to the lack of availability from local carriers,“ Shum said. Total smartphone usage in the US will grow 3% this year to reach 232.8 million people. In 2019, smartphone usage will surpass 70% of the US population.