Is the iPhone 5C on its way out? Latest figures reveal upmarket 5S is outselling the plastic phone two-to-one in the U.S.

  • Figures show the 5S accounted for 64% of total sales during September
  • iPhone 5C made up 27% while the iPhone 4S made up the remaining 9%
  • Apple's iPhone 5 did not feature because the model was discontinued

By Victoria Woollaston

PUBLISHED: 08:39 EST, 15 October 2013 | UPDATED: 10:06 EST, 15 October 2013

Just days after reports claimed Apple was halving production of its iPhone 5C because of 'dismal sales' in China, new figures show the model may equally be floundering in the U.S. too.

Figures from a Consumer Intelligence Research Partners survey show that during last month, the iPhone 5C accounted for just 27 per cent of Apple's total iPhone sales.

This is half the amount of 5S models sold, at 64 per cent, and only three times the amount of sales for the two-year-old iPhone 4S handset, at 9 per cent.

Analysis by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows Apple is selling twice as many higher-end 5S phones than the lower-priced 5C in the U.S.

Analysis by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows Apple is selling twice as many higher-end 5S phones than its lower-priced 5C in the U.S. The 5S accounted for 64% of sales, pictured, while the 5C made up 27% and the iPhone 4S came third with 9%

WHAT DO THE OFFICIAL APPLE FIGURES SAY?

Official figures from Apple claim the tech giant sold nine million new 5S and 5C handsets during the first three days on sale.

These figures smashed the firm's own records - working out as 125,000 an hour, on average, or around 2083 a minute.

Last year's iPhone 5 sales topped five million during its opening weekend in September 2012.

However, only one handset was available - as opposed to this year's two - and it wasn't made available in China immediately.

Despite the success of the 5S, figures also show it couldn't match the amount of iPhone 5 sales during the same period last year. 

The iPhone 5 debuted at 68 per cent - four per cent more than the current high-end model.

 

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The news comes just days after Chinese website C Technology reported sales of the cheaper iPhone 5C have been 'dismal'.

It added Apple is believed to have halved production of the model as a result.

Suppliers claim they have gone from making 300,000 handsets a day, on average, to just 150,000 and there are also reports prices are dropping across the region in a bid to attract buyers.

The release of the iPhone 5S and 5C was the first time Apple had made the handsets available in China from launch.

Previously, Apple launched handsets in key regions including the UK and the U.S and would roll out the handsets to other areas, including China, in the following months.

C Technology claim that although the iPhone 5C was touted as a cheaper option, it costs a similar amount and has 'no particular highlights - making it unappealing to new buyers.

The site adds that although prices of the iPhone 5S have remained high, the cost of the iPhone 5C has also dipped in certain areas from 4,488 yuan (£459) to 3,500 yuan (£358).

Official figures from Apple claim the tech giant sold nine million new handsets during the first three days on sale, with 200m devices now running iOS 7.

Official Apple figures show the firm sold nine million iPhone 5S and 5C, pictured, handsets during the first three days they were on sale. However, Apple did not say what proportion of this amount was for each model. Last year's iPhone 5 sales topped five million during its opening weekend in September 2012

In an investor note last week, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White said: 'During our visit to Apple stores and resellers this week in China, we have found that there is healthy interest in the iPhone 5C.

'However, we believe this has not yet translated into exciting volume levels in China.'

He continued that Apple would need to reduce the price further to attract new buyers, claiming demand had been 'soft.'

When the company unveiled the iPhone 5S and 5C at the start of September, shares fell by around five per cent.

Following the launch a week later, shares rose more than 5 per cent to $493.47, and counteracted the initial losses.

Last year's iPhone 5 sales topped five million during its opening weekend in September 2012, yet only one handset was available - as opposed to this year's two - and it wasn't sold in China from launch.

Apple was unavailable for comment.

An inside source has told Chinese website C Technology that sales of the cheaper iPhone 5C, pictured, have been 'dismal' and Apple has halved production of the plastic model

An inside source has told Chinese website C Technology that sales of the cheaper iPhone 5C, pictured, have been 'dismal' and Apple has had to halve production of the plastic model. Suppliers claim they have gone from making 300,000 handsets a day, on average, to just 150,000

Comments (10)

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Why buy the cheaper 5c when for only a few pounds more you can get the real thing? The 5c was always stupidly overpriced.

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I though the 5c was suppose to be a cheaper version but the price is still ridiculous. May as well spend an extra £100 for the better one although I can never justify spending that kind of money on Apple.

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upto I saw the paycheck for $9930, I be certain that...my... mother in law was like they say realey bringing in money part time online.. there mums best friend had bean doing this for under 18 months and at present cleard the loans on their home and purchased a brand new Mini Cooper. pop over to this web-site..... Works25.CoM - Lena Macias, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 15/10/2013 03:04 pm why do people even put these things up here?! They have nothing to do with the article!!

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I got the 5c and i love it. I have always had iphones so it is nice to have something with a bit of colour!

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'Despite the success of the 5S, figures also show it couldn't match the amount of iPhone 5 sales during the same period last year'. Who on earth wrote this thinking they knew what they were talking about? It's a percentage comparison, not a number. 9 million iPhone 5S in the opening weekend vs 5 million iPhone 5 in the equivalent weekend. I think that means they sold more! A lot more.

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upto I saw the paycheck for $9930, I be certain that...my... mother in law was like they say realey bringing in money part time online.. there mums best friend had bean doing this for under 18 months and at present cleard the loans on their home and purchased a brand new Mini Cooper. pop over to this web-site..... Works25.CoM

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So you want to share this easy way of earning money for absolutely nothing? And if this is so good as you claim, why then are you not doing it yourself instead of spamming each article with this totally irrelevant scam advertisement.

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'Despite the success of the 5S, figures also show it couldn't match the amount of iPhone 5 sales during the same period last year.' Er hello? Who wrote this - it's a percentage not a number. Nine million iPhone 5S in the opening weekend vs five million iPhone 5 in the equivalent weekend I think means they sold more. A lot more.

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I can't say I am surprised. If you are paying for it (as opposed to buying on contract) the difference in price in negligible and you end owning an inferior model where all your mates have the 5S. If you can afford the 5C you can probably afford a 5S. It's a bit different on a contract and in the US (which tends to set Apple pricing) most iPhones are bought on contract. An iPhone 5S is $199 and a 5C is $99 - looked at it that way it is half price! Unfortunately it doesn't work out that way in the rest of the world so it's not hard to understand why the 5C is getting a low share.

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why you want the rubbish plastic when you can get the real thing

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