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Launch data shows iPhone SE hits the spot in India & China, not so much elsewhere

The iPhone SE may be Apple’s most muted iPhone launch in recent memory due to the fact that it’s not considered a flagship model for the company, but new data shows the 4-inch iPhone is attracting a large number of users in two of Apple’s most promising emerging markets: China and India.

SimilarWeb looked at traffic to Apple’s website during the launch and noticed that, while the overall traffic increase was the lowest of any Apple product launch of the last three years, in China and India the device appears to be almost as popular as past iPhone launches.

The March 21 2016 launch however gave Apple above average traffic in two key target markets key to its cheaper smartphone strategy: India and China. In contrast to the average worldwide traffic rise of 83%, Apple saw a one-day traffic increase of 160% from India and 150% in China.

The data from SimilarWeb follows a report from CNBC earlier this week that claimed Apple had received over 3.4 million pre-orders for the iPhone SE in China.

For India, traffic was significantly higher than the 59% increase experienced in 2015 for iPhone 6s, and it’s almost on par with the 185% in traffic for the iPhone 6 in 2014. China’s increase, on the other hand, was lower than previous launches but still shows much higher interest for the SE in China versus the worldwide averages.

That gives us a little bit of insight into who exactly will buy the new 4-inch iPhone, but China and India may not be the only big markets for the device. The $399 unlocked or $0 on contract starting price is certainly helping to attract emerging markets, but there’s also another group of users interested in the device for its 4-inch display…

Data from Slice Intelligence yesterday showed the device was attracting a higher number of Android switchers than previous iPhone launches and it also noted that SE buyers appear to be “older, less educated, and surprisingly, more male.”And when it introduced the device, Apple made a point of noting that it sold around 30 million 4-inch iPhones last year alone. Add in a market of people that prefer a smaller screen over current smartphone lineups that mostly start at the 4.7-inch and up range, and estimates have the market at approximately 35% of total current iPhone users.

That number lines up with our own poll (below) in which over 38% said they planned to upgrade to the SE— either from a current 4-inch iPhone or larger— and an additional 12% that would if the specs were on par with flagship iPhones.

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Comments

  1. Chen Zhi Jie - 8 years ago

    I prefer to change from Android phone to iPhone SE.

  2. johnmfoley - 8 years ago

    “Not until it’s on par with the larger flagship model”
    I wonder if the 10-15% who selected this option know that the only difference is 3D Touch and selfie camera quality? Well… and I guess timing too–only 6 months til newer features in iPhone 7.

    • akibbe02 - 8 years ago

      There’s also the first-gen Touch ID, which I found more disappointing than the lack of 3D Touch and a better front camera. I’m still getting it, though.

  3. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    Apple sold 30 million 4″ iPhones last year….during a time when the 4″ offerings were woefully out of date in terms of features…at least 2 generations behind (5s).
    People need to understand the significance of this: Some people just want a 4″ phone, and it doesn’t matter to all of them what features it lacks vs. larger models. However, I’m sure that matters to some…and for longtime 5s owners that just want a better 4″ phone….you’re welcome.

    • Mario A Giambanco - 8 years ago

      Exactly why I ordered an SE from a 6s. I just want a smaller phone. The fact that the biggest feature it’s missing is 3D Touch doesn’t bother me; never use it myself. And I think I’m gonna like the slower Touch ID sensor. I have a bad habit of using the home button to look at the lock screen for notifications and the new sensor is to fast – I know that sounds dumb, to fast – but it almost makes the lock screen notifications worthless.

  4. rogifan - 8 years ago

    Wait, so now we’re using web traffic to Apple’s website to determine iPhone SE popularity? It’s pretty clear Apple is done with providing sales figures outside of earnings calls. Perhaps Apple blogs and rumor sites can do the same.

    • And… and…. There’s no corroboration of the traffic to Apple’s site. Where did this “supposed” data come from? IMO, the numbers are not only meaningless to draw any conclusions about the SE, they’re meaningless as a measure of actual traffic in general. This is just MMUBS. More Made-Up BullShit.

  5. chrisl84 - 8 years ago

    Surprise people are tired of the $800 phone price points

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      There are 6’s, 6+’s that aren’t $800. All Apple’s doing is making sure their entire line up runs later processors and they have an entry level model that has current technology, plus it’s more designed for the India and Chinese markets and there still is a fairly large amount of users that want a 4inch model.

      • chrisl84 - 8 years ago

        Thats nonsense, the 6 and 6+ are almost 2 years old, no crap they arent 800 anymore the SE is a NEW PHONE, talk to me when the 7 is released and costs less than a 4K TV

  6. Robert - 8 years ago

    It doesn’t go on sale until tomorrow. Silly to draw conclusions based on just the pre-orders

    Actually, the kind of people this phone most appeals to might not be the kind that thinks it’s important to have it on launch day or bother with the pre-order process. The kind of people that must have the newest thing on day one are probably going to wait for the next ‘flagship’.

    • Robert - 8 years ago

      Just to add. This might be off cycle for many people still on traditional contracts. Moreover, budget conscious people will buy when their budget says they can. In my case, the SE will certainly be my next phone, however whilst not on a contract I still have a few payments to make on my iPhone 6 and I don’t buy a new phone until I have paid off the last one.

  7. A2Ple98 - 8 years ago

    I don’t have the money right now

  8. Well, you need to correct your post a little bit. It doesn’t cost $400 in India. They are selling it at Rs. 39,000 for the 16GB which roughly translates to $590 ($1=Rs. 66). I don’t know the exact price but it is almost the same in China. US is the only country where it is available for $400.

  9. Don’t be surprised when Apple announces they sold 60-something million 4″ phones in the 12 months following the release.

  10. AbsarokaSheriff - 8 years ago

    I’m planning on getting a SE for my teenage son who has a 5s. The fact that this can run Apple Pay plus the upgrade in processors, video and cameras is compelling. And the price is right but not 16GB. No one should get 16GB. And this will fit in his pocket.

    He mostly uses an iPad 3 which is great for video, NetFlix, browsing, etc. He mostly uses his phone for texting and occasional browsing.

  11. I was tempted but the SE is too expensive in Europe (500€ for the 16G modèle).

  12. twelve01 - 8 years ago

    Just upgraded to the 6s in September. Will wait and see what the 7 brings.

  13. cydianerd - 8 years ago

    It may looks like bad, both Indian and China are bigger markets for Apple to explore with low-price devices.

  14. xoFoxtail - 8 years ago

    I’m the complete opposite of the majority of SE buyers. I graduated with an IT degree, in my mid 20s now. I thought the smaller phone would be attractive to more females. I’m looking forward to it mainly because my smaller hands, it’s a lot easier to hold on to.

  15. yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

    Well it hit the spot in those markets because that was the primery intent of releasing that model..
    So Apple aced it.
    For me if i go smaller… I want all the latest bells and whistles .. …

  16. so what’s less than iPhone 6s? what made it cheaper than iPhone 6s?

  17. vinoth kumar (@vinothbt) - 8 years ago

    when this iphone SE will launch in india

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.