Americans born after 1996, also known as “Gen Z”, prefer Apple devices over Android devices by a large margin. Social pressure on Android users’ green text bubble is the reason for Apple’s dominance, says a financial Times Report.
The Financial Times further suggests that young consumers in the US are concerned that they may become social outcasts for not owning and using an iPhone. This prompts Gen Z’ers to purchase an iPhone, marking their entry into the Apple ecosystem. The “sticky” nature of Apple’s brand motivates them to buy more products and accessories later.
Why Gen Z Prefers iPhone
Gen Z members account for 34% of all US iPhone owners while they account for just 10% of Samsung handset owners. (Samsung phones are powered by Android.) Not only do Z’ers prefer the iPhone, but they also show a tendency to buy other devices in the Apple ecosystem, including AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs.
Even though the average selling price of iPhones is nearly three times that of Android devices, research by Canalys indicates that for every 100 iPhones Apple sells internationally, there are 17 Apple Watches, 35 pairs of AirPods and 26 iPads. are also purchased. (Not by the same General Xer, of course.)
Credit Suisse analyst Shannon Krause says the strength of Apple’s ecosystem gives it an advantage over the competition. “It really makes it hard to change the trajectory. Apple will continue to gain share over time.
The Green Text Balloon Issue
Researchers tracking the buying preferences of Gen Z consumers report financial Times That Gen Z’ers spend an average of six hours a day on their smartphones, the most of any age group. This allows Apple’s ecosystem to help shape purchasing decisions. At least some of the effect is due to the importance of iMessage in social groups, which is related to the green text balloons in Android users’ chats. Android is seen as providing a lackluster experience when it comes to group chats via SMS.
The green text balloons definitely indicate which chat users are on Android devices. Also, when iPhone users send videos or photos to a group, they often appear smaller than what appears in iMessage.
Anneliese Hillman, the 24-year-old chief executive of a men’s grooming business, says the societal pressure is too much to buy an iPhone. “One green message – anyone with Android – throws off the whole chat, because now the whole thing has to be SMS.”
It should be noted that the blue text balloons and other additional features available to iMessage users are by Apple’s design, as the Cupertino firm works to create a “closed” system. This is a strategic move to encourage users to stay in the Apple ecosystem, where they will buy other Apple devices, accessories and services.
What about the rest of the world?
While iMessage is less prevalent in Europe (Android has a bigger market share), this trend is visible there as well. Canalys research shows that 83% of Apple users in Western Europe are under 25 years old and plan to carry an iPhone in the future. This means that the trend is likely to continue in the future, with Android phone makers finding it increasingly difficult to capture new customers.
An earlier version of this article was published by McTrust.
