Despite some issues, demand for the iPhone 5 is at an all-time high

By Joseph Keller
last updated

Despite problems with Maps and complaints about the new Lightning connector, there is increased demand for the iPhone 5 than the iPhone 4S this time last year, a new survey finds. Conducted by 451 Research and ChangeWave Research, the survey of 4,270 primarily North American consumers, the survey shows that despite the attention given to these issues by the press, they barely seem to concern customers. In all, 32% of those surveyed said that they were likely to get the iPhone 5, up from 22.5% for the 4S a year ago. Of those unlikely to buy the phone, 61% responded that their current phone was good enough.

When it comes to Maps, the survey asked iPhone 5 and iOS 6 users if they had found any porblems in their use of Apple Maps, with 90% of respondents saying that they did not have any problems. In fact, only 3% of respondents reported their Maps experience as a very big problem. When asking those unlikely to buy the iPhone 5 for the reason why, 0% said it was because of reports of problems with Maps.

Additionally, iPhone 5 buyers were also asked about the Lightning connector. While a sizeable portion of respondents, 37%, did say that the change in connector was a problem, the majority did not, with 31% saying it was “Not Much of a Problem, and 26% saying “No Problem at All.”

None of this is to say that there are not problems with Maps, because there are, and in many cases they are serious ones. Apple needs to fix them as soon as possible and they are working to do just that. We can’t also say that the new Lightning connector isn’t an inconvenience to those who already have a lot of accessories. But what this does tell us is that sometimes these issues get blown out of proportion. We can’t say with a lot of confidence that this is going to keep a lot of people from buying iPhones.

It also tells us that despite what some people in the tech press say, onsumers don't seem to think that the iPhone 5 is boring at all. Every year, each new iPhone is more popular than the one that preceeded it, and that pattern shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, it seems to be speeding up.

Source: 451 Research

Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

10 Comments
  • I longed for the four as a Blackberry user, purchased the 4s as my first IPhone and LOVED it! I now own the i5 and passed the 4s to the wife. Completely satisfied so far, and continue to be amazed at each release.
  • If 31% say its "not as much of a problem" , isn't it still problem? That means the majority (68%) thought it was a problem....
  • wish it would of asked why its a problem. seems better in every way to the original (which i already thought was great)
  • This doesn't change the fact that they only sold 5 million units instead of the 7 to 10 they projected for the same period...
  • "only sold" ? 5 million is a lot and even if they sold each one of those for $199 (lets round it off to $200) thats just under a billion (995,000,000) in sales. none of these are small numbers I don't think anyone over at Apple is hanging their heads saying "I cant believe this year's model was such a failure *teardrop sliding down cheek*, we only sold 5 million in 2 months".
  • Me thinks you don't understand business...
    1. They failed to meet their sales projections (on which many important things are based)
    2. Their stock has fallen 10% in the last three weeks.
  • Me thinks it shall shoot back up when the iPad mini release grows nearer....
  • I don't know about that. The mini has to compete with Kindle and we all know they make no money on that. I think the stock with go down to around $577, but Q3 for Apple is a bust and Q4 will be about even. W8 could actually change the game with Microsoft making their own hardware. I'd rather have a new new iPad vs a mini I need 128gb.
  • "not much of a problem" is still a problem. you've got a majority claiming it's a problem not the other way around.
  • I for one do not understand the obsession Apple has for making everything paper thin and feather light. They started with the MacAir and have been going in that direction ever since.
    Its like Apple ran out of ideas and now feel that is the best selling point.
    I think the 3GS line was a very stylish phone with curves, rounded edges and a chrome bezel, and now they have moved to where it looks like a slab of metal.
    I would have liked the iPhone to have followed the design of the iPad/iPod touch line of 2011.
    I have a iPhone 4 and while that is basically a brick, it still has style with a stainless steel band that wraps around the phone.
    The iPhone 5 is thin, light and rather boring. I had a hard time picking it up from a table top because there is not much of a edge to grab, where as the 3GS/4/4S are very easy since there is substance.
    The blacked out version is very black.
    I do not like the black back with black Apple logo and black edges of the phone. It would have been great if they gave the black version the aluminum color back and edging or at least it would have been nice if they gave the edging around the screen the same finish as the white iPhone 5.
    I do like Apple products and want to continue using them, however, I would like for them to get off the "The thinest phone in the world" slump and design a phone both stylish and cutting edge in technology.