Over 26% of iPhone SE customers came from an Android phone

iPhone SE (2020) (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

The iPhone SE served as a "bright spot" in smartphone sales last quarter.
30% of customers came from an iPhone 6S or earlier.
Over 26% of customers switched from Android.

Despite a quarter of declining sales, the iPhone SE served as a "bright spot" in the smartphone market.

According to a new report from Counterpoint Research (via 9to5Mac), Apple's low-cost iPhone assisted in stabilizing the company's overall sales for the quarter. Jeff Fieldhack, North America Research Director, says that, while the iPhone SE launched without the usual keynote and ad blitz, it has outperformed expectations.

"Apple volumes grew through the quarter and were especially helped by iPhone SE volumes. It was not a typical Apple launch with large fanfare and a launch event at the Steve Jobs theatre, which normally also includes a blitz of TV ads. However, the device has been successful and selling above expectations in both postpaid and prepaid channels. Since the iPhone SE launched, carrier stores and national retail have been re-opening. Some channels saw large promos to draw shoppers back to stores. This was especially true within Walmart, Metro by T-Mobile, and Boost."

According to the report, the company does not expect the success of the iPhone SE to impact the sales of the iPhone 12. Over half of iPhone SE owners came from either an Android phone or an iPhone more than four years old.

"Our checks show that iPhone SE sales are unlikely to be cannibalizing fall 5G iPhone sales. iPhone SE buyers are more pragmatic about price, less concerned with 5G, and the smaller display is not considered a hindrance. Over 30% of iPhone SE buyers came from using an iPhone 6S or older handset—handsets four years old or older. Over 26% of iPhone SE users moved over from an Android device, which is higher than normal Android to iOS switching."

Apple is expected to announce its iPhone 12 lineup in September for a release following in either the same month or October, depending on if the company can overcome production issues caused by the pandemic.

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.