Apple grows iPhone market share in the U.S., despite overseas challenge

“While iPhone sales have been lackluster in some overseas markets, Apple’s smartphone continues to gain users in the US,” eMarketer reports. “According to our latest forecast, the iPhone’s user base ticked up 5.0% in 2018 and will grow another 3.2% this year.”
“In 2019, 105.2 million people in the US will use an iPhone, giving Apple a 45.2% share of the country’s smartphone market. That share will grow 0.1% each year through 2021,” eMarketer reports. “‘The variety of iPhones available at different price points has contributed to its 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.'”
“This year, Android usage will grow 3.3% to 124.4 million people,” eMarketer reports. “Its share of US smartphone users will increase to 53.4% in 2019, and reach 53.8% by 2021.”

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MacDailyNews Take: Of course, these predictions get shakier the farther into the future they project (ask IDC about this), but the overall gist is important: Apple’s huge base is large, loyal, and very strong demographically (they are premium customers with higher-than-average discretionary income and the proven will to spend it) – and not just in the U.S., but around the world. That’s why services are such a strong growth story now for Apple, and why device unit sales reports every 90 days or so just don’t matter.