Apple Saw Largest Number of iPhone Upgraders Ever in Q1 2021 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Saw Largest Number of iPhone Upgraders Ever in Q1 2021

The launch of the new iPhone 12 models that have all-OLED displays, edge-to-edge designs, 5G connectivity, and significant camera improvements, drove an increase in both switchers and upgraders year over year, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during today's earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2021.

iphone 12 vs iphone 12 mini
Cook said that while those switching over from Android and upgraders both increased, Apple saw the largest number of upgraders that it's ever seen in a quarter. "We're very thrilled about that," said Cook.

Apple today announced that it now has more than 1 billion active iPhones worldwide, up from 900 million in 2019, and 1.65 billion total active devices.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:27 pm PDT by
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S. According...

Top Rated Comments

Michael Scrip Avatar
74 months ago
I went from a five-year-old iPhone 6S Plus... to an iPhone 12 Pro Max...

My upgrade was especially great!

:P
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
74 months ago
I made the jump from the 7 to the 12 mini. Perfect phone for me.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
74 months ago
This was the best quarter in corporate history.

The most switchers ever...very scary for competition. Apple isn’t losing its grip...it’s strengthening.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
74 months ago
Imagine the numbers if the notch was gone. ;)

Okay, maybe not a dealbreaker to many here and Apple users, but some and probably potential Android switchers where it matters.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
its93rc Avatar
74 months ago
Well, the standard iPhone 12 is a great device for the price. The advertisements were aggressive too and the product is solid. There were tons of carrier promos for the 12 line, in the US, so I'm not surprised people upgraded.

Also, 2020 was a hell of a year. I imagine a lot of people 'treated' themselves to a new phone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
VaruLV Avatar
74 months ago
I wonder how the 12S/13 will sell given these numbers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors