Industry
2 publications · July 14, 2026
iPhone loyalty hits record 87% as Android switching slows
Key points
- iPhone loyalty reached a record 87% in Q1 2026, according to industry data
- New buyers switching from Android to iPhone fell to 12%
- iPhone gained market share in China while the overall smartphone market contracted
- Apple avoided price increases in China while Android rivals raised prices amid a global RAM crisis
Summary
(AI)
Two reports paint a picture of Apple’s position in a difficult smartphone market. One outlet reported loyalty figures showing 87% of iPhone owners stayed with the platform in the first quarter of 2026, while Android-to-iPhone switching dropped to 12%. A separate report from IDC, cited by another outlet, found iPhone sales growing in China’s shrinking market, attributed to Apple holding prices steady while Android competitors raised theirs during a global RAM shortage.
The loyalty data suggests Apple’s growth may increasingly depend on existing users upgrading rather than converting Android customers.
