The debut of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus wasn't just a boon for Apple's bottom line, as accessory makers also benefitted greatly from the debut of the new, larger iPhone models, according to the latest data from the NPD Group.
Accessory sales for the two weeks following the launch of the iPhone 6 lineup reached a record $249 million, the latest data from the NPD Group Weekly Tracking Service shows. That was a major increase of 43 percent from the two weeks prior.
In contrast, a year ago, when the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c went on sale, accessory sales were $195 million. The 2013 iPhone launch only caused a 17 percent spike over the previous two weeks.
"New iPhone form factors always provide a short-term boost to traffic and volume to the consumer electronics market, but it's the accessory purchases that keep the momentum going," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at The NPD Group. "Case sales specifically, and accessory sales in general, remain an excellent proxy in measuring the long-term demand for a phone."
Though the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus weren't announced until Sept. 9 and launched less than two weeks after, the size, shape and dimensions of the new handsets had been known for months due to leaks from Apple's supply chain. Third-party case makers gambled by manufacturing accessories based on these leaks, and in this case they won, leading to a number of case options available on the market at the time the iPhone 6 launched, despite the fact that it had a completely new form factor.
Case revenue was up 78 percent following the iPhone 6 launch, NPD said, while unit sales grew 63 percent over the two weeks prior. Screen protectors also saw revenue grow 120 percent versus the pre-launch period.
Other accessories didn't quite see the same increases, as mobile power products increased 5 percent, headphones with microphones were up 10 percent, and Bluetooth speakers grew 5 percent.
"The new iPhone releases, and the subsequent mobile accessory purchases that result from them, are one of the key opportunities helping to set the stage for a strong fourth quarter and holiday season," Baker said.
22 Comments
I think they did take a chance, because the box for my case says "For: The New iPhone 2014 (4.7"). And this is Incipio we're talking about here, not Fa Lu's Magic Cases.
The first iPhone that definitely needs a case. Not ergonomic in the sense that due to lack of square corners and it's thinness causes it to be "slippery". Most if not all reviewers point to this. I immediately noticed it when I first fondled them.
The first iPhone that definitely needs a case. Not ergonomic in the sense that due to lack of square corners and it's thinness causes it to be "slippery". Most if not all reviewers point to this. I immediately noticed it when I first fondled them.
I got the iPhone 6 Plus, fully expecting to trade it for a 6. After just a few days, I find I can do about 95% of what I could do with my 5, one-handed.
The thing that made the difference was the silicone case. Started with the leather case, but even it was 'too slippery.' The silicone case made the Plus work for me.
So a change of form factor has increased the demand for accessories. That's... Surprising
[quote name="pazuzu" url="/t/182753/iphone-6-launch-led-to-record-accessory-sales-of-249-million-in-two-weeks#post_2616582"]The first iPhone that definitely needs a case. Not ergonomic in the sense that due to lack of square corners and it's thinness causes it to be "slippery". Most if not all reviewers point to this. I immediately noticed it when I first fondled them.[/quote] I love the 5 series precisely for its chunky square feel in my hand, never used a case on them and always felt they were firmly and safely in-hand. I have every other model before that and none of them felt nearly as 'solid'. The 5 series have that same tangible weight, quality, design feel a good German car has, if you know what i mean. However I will have to feel a 6 to see before judging.