Tim Cook thinks now is the moment to offer Android users an alternative

Sep 11, 2014 08:40 GMT  ·  By

Apple has launched the iPhone 6 to finally start chewing at Android’s market share. While everyone laughs at Apple’s new smartphones that don’t really bring anything new when it comes to technology, the Cupertino-based company has already started to put its “devious” plan in motion.

Android is the world’s number one mobile operating system with more than 80% market share and Google's platform doesn’t seem to slow down at all. If things continue this way, Apple, Windows Phone and BlackBerry may only exist in certain countries/regions.

iOS' strength in the United States, usually an Apple fiefdom, dropped considerably in the last couple of months from over 40% market share to almost 30%.

However, this was to be expected given the fact that most customers who were considering switching to iOS probably waited for Apple to announce the new iPhone.

Now that the iPhone 6 has been unveiled, I believe Apple has more ways to tackle Android’s worldwide dominance.

Why do I think that the iPhone 6 has been especially launched for Android users and not for Apple fans?

Apple fans are more loyal than Android's

Well, I think it’s pretty obvious that Apple fans tend to be among the most loyal. Perhaps only Windows Phone users are more loyal, but the main problem for Google is that Android users are the least loyal and are willing to switch to other mobile platforms for the right device/feature.

Before iPhone 6, Apple could not offer Android users a viable alternative which would make them switch to their devices, especially due to the iPhone 5s lower display and lack of lots of major features.

The good news is that, once iPhone 6 is available on the market, many Android users will consider picking one, even if neither of the two models brings something really innovative.

I kind of expect lots of Android users who never owned an iPhone before to want to give the iPhone 6 a try, even if just for the better looks if nothing else.

The main problem for Apple will be to convince Android users that the iPhone 6 is really worth that kind of money. Apple’s iPhones are a lot more expensive than Android smartphones, which is why the Cupertino-based company has teamed up with lots of carriers to offer customers the option to get the iPhone 6 cheaper upon signing new two-year agreements.

Bigger displays could appeal to more Android users

Having two iPhone 6 variations with different displays (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch), Apple is able to target a wider range of potential customers. Now, both models will sell by the millions and almost all Apple fans will want to upgrade to the latest model because, statistically, they should be loyal.

Obviously, we won’t see any changes in market share over night, but Apple’s decision to introduce two larger iPhones does seem pretty smart now. It’s one of the few things that the company could have done in order to keep up with Android’s competition.

It remains to be seen how many of those loyal Apple fans won’t like the new iPhone 6 and switch to Android and how many Android users will now turn to iOS.

I believe there will be quite a few surprises after the first few weeks of sales. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available on the market beginning September 19, but only in several countries, including the United States where Apple hopes to sell the most.

What do you think about Apple’s new, hidden strategy? Do you think it will pay off and iOS will begin climbing the charts in the next couple of months? You’re invited to share your opinions in the comments section below.