Apple mixed things with less than three new iPhones this year, all of them incorporating Face ID and the design language of the iPhone X.
Amid several reports that Apple has reduced orders for iPhones components, the technology giant is finally intervening. Speaking on behalf of CNET, Apple’s vice president of product marketing, Greg Joswiak, says that the iPhone XR has been our most popular iPhone every day since the day it became available. ”
Joswiak seems to be saying that the iPhone XR has outsold the iPhone XS and XS Max since its launch on October 26 (and probably also the older iPhones). That’s not a total shock: the iPhone XR is the “cheapest” iPhone at $ 749, but it incorporates almost all the features of its more expensive brothers.
However, while the iPhone XR may be selling more than the other iPhones 2018, we do not know if general iPhone sales have fallen. And we will not know, because in his latest earnings call, Apple said it would no longer launch specific sales figures for the iPhone in the future. The brief statement also does not refer to any of the specific production cut reports.
In short, the iPhone XR could continue to sell badly when viewed in a historical context and even today is the “most popular” iPhone. Another clue that iPhone sales may not be as good: Apple only increased the amount of money it would give to customers who exchange an older iPhone when they upgrade to an iPhone XR, XS or XS Max.
Like the new rule about not disclosing sales numbers, the public comment is primarily an attempt by Apple to control the narrative about the product that provides about 60 percent of the company’s revenue.