iPhone buyers still flocking towards Pro models, against historical trends

Posted:
in iPhone edited May 2023
Following the turn of a new year, iPhone buyers tend to choose the less expensive models -- but that's not the case in 2023.

People have been choosing more expensive iPhones
People have been choosing more expensive iPhones


Historical data shows that people who buy an iPhone later are more likely to choose a more affordable model, according to a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Since the firm began tracking it in 2015, the weighted average retail price of iPhones sold in the US (US-WARP) has decreased each March quarter.

The average selling price of the iPhone has traditionally declined during the first quarter of the year. Early adopters purchase an iPhone in the first few weeks after the September launch and the first full quarter of availability in the December quarter.




But US-WARP for the March 2023 quarter hit a new high of $988, and the price of the average iPhone purchased in the US is close to $1,000. Trade-ins and promotions can lower consumers' costs, but they still choose expensive models.

CIRP believes the rise of US-WARP is due to the popularity of the iPhone 14 Pro models. Lead times for the Pro models were high months after launch, meaning that demand outpaced production and suppliers struggled to keep up.

Other factors for the iPhone's increased average selling price include customers preferring to buy an iPhone 14 Plus over an iPhone 13 mini and Apple offering more storage on the higher-end models to entice consumers.

Additionally, since the iPhone trade-in market is generous since Apple devices hold onto their value for a long time, it can reduce the expense of a new model and may encourage people to choose a premium iPhone.

The first quarter of the year was also when the iPhone 14 Pro models returned to general availability. Not only did Apple suppliers ramp up production but there wasn't much demand for the iPhone during the holidays.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    dewmedewme Posts: 5,677member
    Another contributing factor may be that the base model iPhone 14 is a relatively minor upgrade over the base model iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 Pro on the other hand is a more substantial upgrade and makes the extra year of waiting and deeper dig into the wallet more rewarding in the long run, imho.
    muthuk_vanalingambeowulfschmidt9secondkox2
  • Reply 2 of 8
    hmlongcohmlongco Posts: 563member
    People are holding onto devices longer. As such a more expensive model may not be all that expensive when amortized out over another year of so of ownership.
    muthuk_vanalingam9secondkox2
  • Reply 3 of 8
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,309member
    This is another reason why the two Pro models should have the exact same upgrade specs. 
    M68000
  • Reply 4 of 8
    zimmermannzimmermann Posts: 337member
    Why does the picture that accompanies this article shows a non-pro iPhone?
  • Reply 5 of 8
    XedXed Posts: 2,822member
    hmlongco said:
    People are holding onto devices longer. As such a more expensive model may not be all that expensive when amortized out over another year of so of ownership.
    That’s my situation. I’m no longer an every year iPhone buyer. I may even go 3 years or more if the feature updates don’t sway may now that the tech has plateaued (relatively speaking) compared to its meteoric start in 2007.
    edited May 2023 9secondkox2
  • Reply 6 of 8
    Imagine buying a 60hz phone in TWENTY TWENTY THREE

    Apple users are forced to buy the one with the expensive cameras
  • Reply 7 of 8
    XedXed Posts: 2,822member
    Imagine buying a 60hz phone in TWENTY TWENTY THREE

    Apple users are forced to buy the one with the expensive cameras
    Apple has used ProMotion, their specific implementation of 120 Hz refresh rate since 2017. Try again, asshat.
    Dooofus
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