Most people buying a new phone from Apple right now are choosing the latest versions instead of older ones. Recent data from CIRP (via AppleWorld.Today) shows that 82 percent of newly sold iPhones in the first quarter of 2026 belong to the current lineup. This high number sets a new record for the March quarter. It shows that the company and its recent choice to offer a simpler set of options is clearly working.
The simplified phone lineup pushes buyers to premium options
Five of the seven phones the company sells right now came out in the last ten months. This group includes the regular iPhone 17 and the new 17 Air model that took the place of the old Plus versions. The brand also launched the cheaper 17e in March 2026 to replace the 16e.
Having fewer older models to choose from is leading shoppers straight to the top tier. Market researchers note that the standard base phone might keep losing popularity as more people decide to spend a bit extra. They are instead choosing higher-end versions like the iPhone 17 Pro or the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Only two older phone versions remain available for new buyers
The huge 82 percent sales share comes entirely from the five new models in the 17 series. Currently, only the older 2024 vintage iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus are still sold as brand-new devices directly.
The fast updates to the product list mean shoppers have fewer reasons to buy older tech. By refreshing the main line in September 2025 and releasing the 17e just a few months later, it gave users fresh choices at every price level. This quick-release schedule leaves little room for older stock to stick around in shopping carts.
