Apple iPhone unit sales worldwide 2007-2018, by quarter

In the fourth quarter of 2018 alone, Apple sold 46.89 million iPhones worldwide, a figure which slightly outpaced its sales from the corresponding quarter of 2017. Apple typically releases at least one new version of its iPhone each year, a strategy which has helped the company consistently pull in quarterly sales figures in the tens of millions.

New models contribute to iPhone’s success despite COVID-19

The iPhone has gone a long way since its initial release in 2007. Over the years, Apple has released 25 iPhones spanning over more than a dozen generations. From the first-generation iPhone that started the smartphone era, to the first “modern phone” iPhone 4, to the newest iPhone 11 line and the iPhone SE (second generation), Apple has time and again revolutionized the mobile device market. Thanks to the success of these latest products, iPhone sales withstood the market decline brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and experienced a 11.2 percent year-on-year sales growth in the second quarter of 2020.

How much does an iPhone cost?

The iPhones are not for penny-pinchers. From the initial starting price of 499 U.S. dollars of the first-generation iPhone to the staggering 1,449 U.S. dollars of the high-end iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple situates its smartphone products firmly in the luxury end of the market. The company also has a budget line with the iPhone SE, but the 399-U.S. dollar starting price is still much higher than the average price of an Android phone. Despite the high prices, consumers tend to stick to their iPhones because of the unique user experience and high customer satisfaction, as shown in a U.S. survey comparing consumer loyalty to different mobile phone brands .