Apple wasn't the first company to release a 5G phone, but, as if often the case for the Cupertino company, its entry into the field may just be the most popular.
At least, that's according to new data from Ookla and research firm M Science, shared by PCMag. Their figures suggest that the iPhone 12 Pro Max---Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone---is the most popular 5G iPhone in all but one of the 50 U.S. states.
Drawing Conclusions on iPhone 12
The report notes that the two companies, Ookla and M Science, use different data to draw their conclusions. Ookla analyzes Speedtest app data on customers' phones, while M Science looks at sales data in the United States. However, both agree that the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the top-selling 5G phone in 49 states.
They also say that another iPhone 12 model is the second most popular, although they disagree over whether this is the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 12 Pro. (Apple, although it's unlikely to release the actual figures any time soon, can hardly be unhappy with either suggestion---given that it means Apple dominates the top two spots.)
They also agree that the iPhone 12 mini is the least popular of Apple's collection of new iPhones. That is not a particularly big surprise, and confirms previous reports. For instance, a report on Christmas Day smartphone activations noted that 9 out of the top 10 phones activated on Christmas Day were iPhones. The iPhone 12 mini was the only one of Apple's latest generation of iPhones not to make the cut.
Yet another report recently suggested that Apple has reduced iPhone 12 mini orders, and could even stop making them early this year, having enough in inventory to offer whoever wants one.
The only serious competitor to Apple when it comes to 5G sales (albeit not close enough to challenge for the top spots) is reportedly Samsung. Its Samsung's S20 and Note 20 lines followed on after Apple's smartphones in the listings.
Driving Apple's Record Earnings
Apple no longer gives exact sales figures for the iPhone, likely reflecting the fact that sales are no longer soaring permanently upwards in quite the way that they were a few years ago. Nonetheless, the iPhone remains a massive hit for Apple. The success of the iPhone 12 series drove Apple to a record $111 billion quarter, as reported last month.
iPhone revenue for the three months leading up to the holidays stood at $65.60 billion. That's an amazing increase of 17% year-over-year. It now seems we know which individual model to praise for that as well!