Since Apple launched both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c back in 2013, the iPhone 5c has been lagging behind in sales. It's interesting considering it is the cheaper of the two devices. More bad news for Apple is incoming as a new report claims the iPhone 5c is also lagging in China, the largest smartphone market in the world.
Apple doesn't usually reveal data on many of the smartphones it sells in each country. However, new data from China's largest app analytics platform, Umeng, has shown that the iPhone 5c is performing poorly when compared to the bigger and better, iPhone 5s and the veteran, the iPhone 5.
According to Umeng data, the iPhone 5c accounted for 2 percent of all active Apple iOS devices on Umeng's analytic networks. The iPhone 5s in comparison, accounted for more than 12 percent. The iPhone 5 on the other hand is seen as a consistent seller.
The iPhone 5c was designed to be a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 5s. This device may also prove that Apple doesn't need to make a cheaper iPhone model since despite being more expensive, the iPhone 5s is eating the 5c for lunch, and there doesn't seem to be signs of improvement.
The iPhone 5c would have probably performed better if Apple had added more features to the device that is similar to the ones found in the iPhone 5s. At the end of the day, one shouldn't be too surprised if Apple discontinues the iPhone 5c device for good.
However, Apple has done just the opposite - it has launched a cheaper iPhone 5c with 8GB storage space. It seems Apple has found a reason to keep the iPhone 5c up and running for a little bit longer. From what we've gathered, the cheaper iPhone 5c has launched in the UK and is up for purchase on Apple's UK website for £429 or about £40 less than the 16GB version and £120 less than the 32GB version. At the time of reporting, the cheaper iPhone 5c didn't yet show up on Apple US website or any of the US wireless carriers. In the UK, wireless carrier O2 has listed the 8GB iPhone 5c on its website - for about £100 ($166) less than the 16GB iPhone 5c version - in 5 color options. The 8GB iPhone 5c is showing up on the French Apple website as well.
Apple may have taken this move to reach out to the entry-level smartphone market as a cheaper iPhone 5c will effectively compete with Chinese OEMs and low-end offerings of Samsung, HTC, LG and Motorola for the attention of budget-conscious or first-time smartphone buyers. A move that may ultimately help Apple boost iPhone 5c's sales in China.
