iPhone 5c

Inside Apple’s 2013 Annual Report: rising R&D costs, retail, ad expenses and more

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Apple's annual 10-K report to the SEC always includes interesting tidbits. This year, the tech giant said it spent $4.5 billion on research and development, a move the iPhone maker describes as "critical" to remaining competitive.

The spending marks a 32 percent increase in research over fiscal 2012, when the company spent $3.4 billion.

The consumer electronics powerhouse said it employs 80,300 full-time workers, more than half in retailing. About 30 new retail locations are planned for 2014 with 20 more stores being remodeled, the company also told the government agency Wednesday. A couple more tidbits follow...

iPhone captures one-third of smartphone market in Japan

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated June 14, 2016

Apple is having great success in Japan. Not only is the iPhone maker surviving one of the most competitive tech markets on the planet, but breaking sales records. The company's smartphone now has 34 percent of the country's market, new research shows.

The figure - more than double that of just months ago - shatters a sales record that's stood for ten years. Apple's success in Japan even overshadows the world's largest market, China...

Samsung now selling 1 out of each 3 smartphones

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 29, 2013

Although Apple sold 33.8 million iPhones during the third quarter, up from 26.9 million a year ago, South Korean Samsung continues to dominate smartphones on a global scale. The company sold more than 88 million smartphones during the same period, comprising 33.2 percent of the worldwide smartphone market, according to one market research firm.

Despite its uptick in unit sales, Apple's share of the smartphone market for the quarter slipped to 13.4 percent, down from 15.6 percent - something that should be corrected in the fourth quarter, as sales of new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s smartphones come into full view...

iPhone 5s/5c already comprise 5.5% of all active iPhones globally

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 28, 2013

When the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c were released in September, their first weekend of availability sparked a record nine million units sold. Now comes word Apple's two newest smartphones together represent 5.5 percent of active iPhones worldwide.

And despite Apple's attempts to repackage last year's iPhone 5 as this year's iPhone 5c, new research shows the year-old Apple handsets accounts for one out of every four new iPhone activations...

Apple never meant for the iPhone 5c to be an entry-level phone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

We're continuing to dig through our notes from Apple's earnings call earlier this afternoon, as a lot of stuff was discussed during the 1-hour broadcast. In addition to financials, Cook and co. offered up some great insight into their operations.

We've already mentioned a few interesting tidbits, and we've just come across another in a comment from Tim Cook on the iPhone 5c. As we've said a few times now, Cook confirms that Apple never intended the 5c to be an entry-level phone...

Wall Street expects: 33.4M iPhones, 15M iPads, 4.3M iPods, 4.6M Macs

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Wall Street expects Apple to return to its usual hit parade later today, announcing record iPhone sales and perhaps giving some insight into how the tech giant's first ever introduction of two iPhones in one year performed. The iPhone maker could announce 33.4 million iPhones sold during the three-month period, a 24 percent jump from the same quarter in 2012.

Although the iPhone 5s/5c were sold for just a week during the quarter ended September 28, analysts hope to divine whether sales of the iPhone 5c are catching up to the flagship iPhone 5s and if record first weekend sales of nine million units had legs.

The Street also anticipates iPod revenue numbers, which one report suggests could sound the death note for the iconic digital music device...

Philippine telcos confirm November 15 iPhone 5s/5c availability, more markets mulled

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Following the initial iPhone 5s/5c roll-out in the United States and ten major global markets, Apple last Friday brought the handset to 35 new markets. It also announced that the third wave of expansion will see an additional sixteen countries getting the new handsets on November 1, expanding the iPhone's footprint to 60+ countries.

But the company won't be standing still for too long. Just two weeks later, the fourth wave of expansion will reportedly add a bunch of new markets, including the Philippines, Brazil and Israel....

Apple’s Russia push slowed by pricey iPhones

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 25, 2013

Although Apple today launched the iPhone in an additional 35 global markets (with more to come next Friday), including Russia, its flagship iPhone 5s remains too expensive for all but the most wealthiest. The iPhone 5c, costing just $99 in subsidized markets such as the U.S., can cost nearly $800 in Russia, unsubsidized.

Apple's goal of competing globally is being hampered by pricing centered on carrier subsidies. In countries such as Russia, India and elsewhere where subsidies are not allowed, the cost of an iPhone can equal a month's salary - or more. As a result, Samsung's cheaper Android phones control most smartphone sales...

iPhone 5s/5c now rolling out to 35 new markets

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 24, 2013

As the massive November 1 iPad Air launch across 42 global markets draws near (how about picking yours at Walmart?), tomorrow marks another key accomplishment for the company's iconic smartphone as a bunch of international Apple Stores go offline ahead of the second wave of expansion.

More than a month ago - on September 20 - Apple's new iPhones went on sale in the United States and an additional ten major markets worldwide. Shortly after, Apple told us a major expansion in 35 new markets would follow on Friday, October 25 so this isn't a shocker.

Eager to learn whether your country is on Apple's map? Read on...

Samsung buys stake in iPhone cover glass maker Corning

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 23, 2013

Gorilla Glass maker Corning has a new partner: Samsung. The South Korean firm is taking ownership in the company which produces tough glass displays for the iPhone and just about everyone else. At the same time, the $2 billion agreement gives Samsung a 10-year a supply contract while Corning gets the cash to explore future technology.

Along with making highly-resistant glass for smartphones, Corning could also be tapped to produce flexible material aimed at the growing number of wearable devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy Gear and Apple's long-rumored iWatch...

Russian carriers that dropped Apple in 2012 now want it back

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 23, 2013

Two of the three Russian carriers that dropped the iPhone in 2012 now want it back. MTS and Vimplecom announced Tuesday they will begin selling Apple's new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s starting Friday.

Vimplecom (which owns Russia's No. 3 carrier Beeline) said it signed a contract with Apple for the new handsets. MTS, on the other hand, will use a distributor to get the smartphones. Both Vimplecom and MTS stopped iPhone sales last year, complaining Apple's stringent contracts created "harsh conditions"...

New iPhones pushed Apple to top US smartphone seller in September

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

According to data from market research firm Counterpoint Research, Apple was the top US smartphone seller in September. The company overtook the spot from Samsung, who had been #1 in the country since May.

And it's not hard to guess where the boost came from, Apple released not one but two new handsets last month. The iPhone 5s was the overall top selling smartphone in September, and the iPhone 5c came in third place...