The Transport Guy: Here's proof that Android users were waiting for Apple to make the iPhone 6 before making the switch (AAPL)

Steve Kovach August 05, 2015 at 07:58AM

Since the launch of the iPhone 6, Apple has routinely bragged about a key metric among iPhone buyers: Customers are switching to iPhone from Android at record levels. 

Although it's tough to get hard numbers on that, there's plenty of evidence that shows it's true. The iPhone continues to generate record sales each quarter, especially in areas where cheap Android phones are popular.

A new report from the research firm Kantar says that iOS, the operating system for the iPhone, is growing again in the "big 5" markets in Europe. (Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.) Those markets are dominated by Android.

Kantar says this is because Android owners were holding out for iPhones with bigger screens. Until the launch of the iPhone 6, the biggest iPhone only had a 4-inch screen. But most Android devices had 4.5-inch screens or larger. Meanwhile, Android saw its share drop in key markets like Germany, according to the report.

But things were different in the US.

According to Kantar, Android grew in the US in the second quarter of 2015, thanks to new phones from Samsung and LG. Kantar says 43% of those who bought Android phones did so because they got "a good deal" on the devices. (Carriers and third-party retailers typically discount Android phones. It's rare to find the iPhone at a discount.)

This interactive graphic from Kantar will help you see the iPhone's gains in Europe:

Apple reported iPhone sales for the quarter last month, and they were up 37%. Critics think the iPhone doesn't have room to grow, but they get proven wrong quarter after quarter. The big-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have turned out to be breakthrough hits for Apple.

Apple also gave plenty of reasons to expect even more growth from the iPhone. It thinks people will continue to switch from Android. Apple also says it expects first-time smartphone buyers in developing countries will choose the iPhone. Finally, only 20% of people who owned an iPhone 5S or older model have upgraded, so there are plenty of people out there who will be ready for a new iPhone soon.

In short, the iPhone appears to be unstoppable.

Apple is expected to launch a new model of the iPhone next month. 

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Here's proof that Android users were waiting for Apple to make the iPhone 6 before making the switch (AAPL) from Business Insider: Steve Kovach