iPhone Users Hold Onto Their Devices Longer: Upgrade Trend Shifts

Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 series on September 9th, 2024, boasting a range of impressive new features, including camera enhancements, improved battery life, and advanced AI capabilities. While these updates promise a compelling user experience, they haven't sparked an immediate urge for users to upgrade their devices.

Holding Onto Old iPhones

In the United States, many Apple fans are seemingly content with their existing iPhones, showing no rush to replace them. Data from market research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) reveals a notable shift in user behavior: people are holding onto their iPhones for longer periods.

The percentage of iPhone users who own their devices for two to three years or more has risen to 34%, compared to 31% in 2020. This upward trend extends to the group keeping their iPhones for two years but less than three, reaching 33% in 2024, an increase from 30% in 2020. In contrast, the percentage of users upgrading within one to two years has declined from 28% in 2020 to 25% in 2024. Furthermore, the number of users upgrading annually has dropped dramatically, settling at just 8% in 2024.

Shifting Motivations for Upgrades

The factors driving iPhone purchases have also undergone a transformation. In the past, many individuals upgraded for new features. However, a recent survey indicates that the majority of iPhone users (approximately 75%) replace their phones due to issues such as their old devices being outdated, lost, damaged, or stolen.

Other common reasons include declining performance, malfunctioning batteries, or physical damage. Only about 18% of users cited new features as the primary motivation for upgrading.

This emerging trend suggests that iPhone users are choosing to stick with their devices for longer periods, emphasizing that the age and condition of their devices are now the most crucial factors influencing their decision to upgrade.