It has become a forgone conclusion that each year’s iPhone launch is the biggest smartphone launch to date. With Apple’s current record sitting at a staggering 9 million units sold through the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c’s first weekend of availability, however, this year’s new iPhone models have a steep hill to climb.
A dozen independently confirmed reports point to two completely redesigned iPhone 6 models launching in 2014, so it indeed appears as though Apple is positioning itself for another record launch —but it can’t hurt to have a little data to support that notion. According to the results of a new survey released on Tuesday, Apple is definitely in store for a huge iPhone 6 launch this fall.
Investment bank RBC Capital Markets surveyed more than 4,000 consumers and found that the future is looking bright for Apple’s 2014 iPhone models.
Here are five key takeaways from the survey, as listed in a note to investors sent by RBC’s Apple analyst Amit Daryanani:
- Nearly 50% of consumers who plan to upgrade their phone intend to purchase an iPhone within the next three months.
- 35% of the users who don’t expect to purchase an iPhone would do so should Apple offer a larger form factor (Android cannibalization with iPhone 6).
- 26% of the consumers are willing to pay a $100 premium for a 5.5″ screen size.
- ~74% of the consumers are aware that AAPL will launch a new iPhone this year (airpocket in September guide?).
- What consumers most desire from a new iPhone is better battery life, followed by larger screen size.
Daryanani declined to offer sales estimates alongside his survey results, but he did reiterate his Outperform rating on Apple shares with a price target of $100.
For more on Apple’s next-generation iPhones, visit our iPhone 6 hub!
