Apple's latest sales figures reveal a shift in consumer preferences in the U.S. According to a new report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), the newly introduced budget-friendly model, iPhone 16e, now accounts for 7% of all iPhone sales in the country — a notable rise compared to the 5% market share held by the iPhone SE last year.
The five-model iPhone 16 lineup has captured 74% of U.S. iPhone sales in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the 68% share that the iPhone 15 series held during the same period last year. This points to a strong overall demand for the new generation of iPhones.
Interestingly, the base iPhone 16 model saw an uptick in popularity, rising from 15% of sales (for the base iPhone 15 last year) to 20%. Despite criticisms around its 60 Hz refresh rate, this limitation appears to have little impact on consumer interest, suggesting that price and practicality are playing a bigger role in purchasing decisions than premium specifications.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro series experienced a drop in market share, falling from 45% to 38%. This decline highlights a growing trend among U.S. customers favoring more affordable models over high-end options, reinforcing the importance of budget-conscious offerings in Apple’s product strategy.
