14 DAY TRIAL // Everybody expects the upcoming iPhone X to set a new sales record despite all the production struggles and the super-high price, but according to a new survey, the existing Apple customer base will likely make the device very successful.
A survey conducted by brokerage firm Bernstein revealed that 48 percent of the existing iPhone users are excited about the anniversary model, while no less than a quarter of them are actually planning to purchase the device. The iPhone X will be available from $999 for the 64GB version, while the 256GB model will cost $1,149.
“The excitement surrounding the iPhone X appears to be magnitudes higher than actual purchase intent – 48 percent of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that they were ‘excited for the iPhone X,'” Bernstein was quoted as saying by Reuters. The survey included 1,112 iPhone owners in three large markets, namely the US, the UK, and China.
“The new iPhone 6”
Analysts expect the iPhone X to become “the new iPhone 6,” as they predict strong sales especially in early 2018 when Apple finally manages to deal with production issues.
The existing customer base will be partly responsible for the success of the iPhone X, they estimated, as the anniversary model will likely generate a substantial upgrade cycle among customers who have been sticking with older iPhones.
“Consumer loyalty to iPhone remains remarkably strong, despite persistent complaints about high prices and worries about declining innovation, with only 3 percent of respondents stating that their next phone would *not* be an iPhone,” Bernstein continued.
Surprisingly, the price of the iPhone X is rarely cited as a reason not to get the device, despite the fact that it’s the most expensive model launched by Apple so far. On the other hand, Cupertino is working with carriers to make the iPhone X available at lower prices with special data plans, with substantial discounts to also be offered to customers trading in their old-generation models.