Apple is preparing to announce record-breaking iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sales in the first quarter of 2015, following an incredible second half of 2014.

451 Research's report claims that 71 percent of U.S. customers looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days will choose Apple, a huge surplus from 51 percent in quarter four.

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It follows a huge growth in iOS adoption across Europe and Asia, leading to questions on the future of second place Samsung, reportedly aiming for 18 percent of quarter one sales.

Apple has shot up in China to 12 percent market adoption, leading to more sales in China than the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2014. This is the first time Apple's major market is not the U.S., but China.

The adoption of new screen sizes is definitely a plus, especially in Asia where 4.7 and 5.5-inch screens are the norm. In South Korea—Samsung's home turf—Apple pushed to a 33 percent adoption rate.

Apple also got a bit lucky with the failures of Samsung in 2014, including the Galaxy S5 and A series. The company seems to be in full retreat mode, apparently redesigning the smartphone and OS skin to align with Apple and Google.

Samsung's fall has also promoted companies like Xiaomi, LG and Sony as alternatives, although most consumers are moving to Apple products instead.

Even with the 12 percent adoption rate in China, Apple could do better and might launch an iPhone 6S Mini in the first half of 2015 to maximize potential sales in the region, with a lower priced smartphone.

In 2015, Apple is focusing on the Apple Watch—its first wearable—coming to market in spring. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus should be coming later in the year, alongside the new iPad Pro.

TagsiPhone, China Mobile Market