iPhone users delay upgrades as Android owners are upgrading often for newer tech

Posted:
in iPhone

Apple's iPhones last longer in users' hands, with many years waiting before an upgrade. Meanwhile, Android users are switching their phones more frequently.

Hands holding a blue iPhone 16 with a dual-camera setup.
iPhone users delay upgrades



A growing number of iPhone users choose to keep their devices for extended periods. Based on CIRP's findings, about one-third of iPhone owners who purchased a new phone in the past year had kept their previous phone for at least three years.

The iPhone's longevity



When comparing the latest 2024 data on iPhone and Android users' smartphone retention patterns with earlier figures from 2023, it's clear that the trend of iPhone owners holding onto their devices longer continues to strengthen.

In 2023, about 29% of iPhone users kept their devices for three or more years, while 21% of Android users did the same. In 2024, the gap widened slightly, with one-third of iPhone users keeping their phones for three years or more.

Apple's strategy in recent years has focused on refining its devices rather than introducing groundbreaking new features annually. The shift has resulted in a product line that remains functional and relevant for longer, reducing the urgency for many users to upgrade.

Additionally, with Apple's shift toward installment-based financing, consumers feel less pressure to upgrade prematurely since payments are spread over a more extended period, making waiting before switching phones more attractive.

Bar graph comparing iOS and Android phone ownership durations: less than 2 years, 2-3 years, and more than 3 years with respective percentages.
Previous smartphone age (for the year ending June 2024). Source: CIRP



On an emotional level, iPhone owners often develop a deep attachment to their devices. Apple has successfully fostered a loyal customer base that strongly identifies with its brand, creating a sense of belonging and loyalty among its users.

For many users, an iPhone is more than just a phone -- it's part of a broader ecosystem that includes services like iCloud, Apple Music, and the App Store. The attachment creates a sense of continuity, making it harder for users to part with their devices, even after several years.

Android users upgrade more frequently



In contrast, Android users tend to replace their phones more frequently. Only 21% of Android owners reported keeping their phone for three or more years, a stark difference from iPhone users.

The CIRP report indicates that 57% of retired Android phones are less than two years old, compared to just one-third of iPhone users who retire their devices within that period.

There are several reasons for the disparity. One of the most prominent is the diversity of Android devices on the market.

Android phones are produced by various manufacturers, offering users a broader selection of devices and features. As a result, Android users are more likely to upgrade their phones as new features and models become available from different manufacturers.

Furthermore, Android phones are often more affordable than iPhones, making it easier for users to justify upgrading to a newer model more frequently. Many Android phones fall into the mid-range or budget categories, where lower prices and shorter lifespans encourage faster turnover.

As a result, Android users may feel less financially and emotionally invested in their devices, unlike iPhone users, who tend to pay more upfront for their phones.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 26
    sflagelsflagel Posts: 864member
    Maybe because iPhones have looked the same for about 5 years now? People used to buy new phones (also) to stay with the newest fahion. 
    williamlondongrandact73
  • Reply 2 of 26
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 3,020member
    I’m thinking there’s a couple of factors. The cost, I’f I’m paying $1500 for a phone I’m going to get my money’s worth out of it. Also though there’s a lot of crap Android phones out there. Where I used to work my boss used Android. He never spent much on the handset, and had to replace them yearly when they would break. He just assumed that all phones were like that and never put together that I used the same iPhone one for years. 

    Right now my iPhone 11 is about 5 years old, and you know what? I think I may very well go one more. 
    sflageldanoxForumPostStrangeDaysBart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 26
    sflagelsflagel Posts: 864member
    iPhones are a depreciating asset with a residual value. Whether you keep it for one year or four means that it costs you £40 per month or £20, i,e. a difference of 5 caffe lattes per month. People would happily spend this if the phones changed physically. People spend money on fashion! 
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 26
    davendaven Posts: 727member
    Well, like my iMac and Apple Watch, I keep mine because they are useful for longer and it isn’t because iPhones are more expensive than Android phones. There are many Android phones out there just as and even more costly than iPhones. For me, Apple keeping phones up to date via software updates is the value in buying an iPhone.
    ForumPostwilliamlondonlolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 26
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,376member
    DAalseth said:
    I’m thinking there’s a couple of factors. The cost, I’f I’m paying $1500 for a phone I’m going to get my money’s worth out of it. Also though there’s a lot of crap Android phones out there. Where I used to work my boss used Android. He never spent much on the handset, and had to replace them yearly when they would break. He just assumed that all phones were like that and never put together that I used the same iPhone one for years. 

    Right now my iPhone 11 is about 5 years old, and you know what? I think I may very well go one more. 
    Your bosses experience sounds like most of the PC/Android users, in the design department that I worked in they were constantly replacing their PC/Android devices. No worries Google and Samsung have made the seven year pledge. They have raised their right hand and swear that they will support their smartphones for seven years hmm…. all they need is an oil well.
    edited October 2 DAalsethForumPostBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 26
    Cause android devices may not last as long as iPhone ?
    williamlondonBart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 26
    CarmBCarmB Posts: 91member
    It's a good thing that iPhones last for years considering how expensive they are. It's a win, really, for Apple in that if you get five or six years of quality performance out of an iPhone, there's a high probability you will replace it with another iPhone. Even better for Apple, you would also be inclined to buy other Apple products and services. With smart phones now costing as much as a decent big-screen TV it would be absurd if it was regarded by consumers as pretty much a one-year device. In today's inflation-ravaged environment, it's unrealistic to think you can convince consumers to invest in a product with pretty much a one-year lifespan costing in excess of $1,000. Rather than thinking you have to wow consumers enough to get a new phone every year, giving consumers value for their dollar is a sounder business model. Besides, what does it say about the quality of your offerings if within a year of being released, they are deemed to be inadequate measured against the latest versions. I want to believe that the phone I buy today will not be eclipsed by the capabilities of next year's model. Refinements annually, sure. But you don't want to do a product so weak that it looks poor measured against next year's model. 
    williamlondondanoxlolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 26
    sflagel said:
    iPhones are a depreciating asset with a residual value. Whether you keep it for one year or four means that it costs you £40 per month or £20, i,e. a difference of 5 caffe lattes per month. People would happily spend this if the phones changed physically. People spend money on fashion! 
    Two posts to say you want the physical form to change for change's sake. Good god, it's a mature product, the fact the exterior doesn't change is because we've pretty much settled on what works. You want an articulating arm that turns into a toaster or something? Maybe a realignment of your expectations is what's required here.

    And the article said they upgrade for function, not form.
    StrangeDaysdanoxlolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 26
    Nikon8 said:
    Cause android devices may not last as long as iPhone ?
    Exactly, which would make sense regarding support of the OS, plus Apple's phones, even base models are fast for years, no reason to upgrade when it still just works.
    Bart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 26
    This is not a surprise after the extremely boring, underwhelming, and non-compelling Apple event. Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 11 of 26
    Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.

    What is this vast innovation of which you speak?


    I bought an iPhone 12mini at release and it’s still my only phone. It’s running ios18 very nicely and if I change it then it will only be for a larger capacity iPhone 13mini. The only feature I’d really like from the new phones is the Camera button but I can live without it. 

    Also it helps that I’m not the kind of person to upgrade for the sake of a new model every year. I’ve just bought an M4 iPad Pro to replace the previous model I’d had for 6 years and if it wasn’t for Apple Intelligence and the HDR screen (which is amazing) I would still be using the older model. Apple kit is beautifully made and just lasts and lasts.
    StrangeDayswilliamlondondanoxBart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 26
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 8,004member
    Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.

    What is this vast innovation of which you speak?


    I bought an iPhone 12mini at release and it’s still my only phone. It’s running ios18 very nicely and if I change it then it will only be for a larger capacity iPhone 13mini. The only feature I’d really like from the new phones is the Camera button but I can live without it. 

    Also it helps that I’m not the kind of person to upgrade for the sake of a new model every year. I’ve just bought an M4 iPad Pro to replace the previous model I’d had for 6 years and if it wasn’t for Apple Intelligence and the HDR screen (which is amazing) I would still be using the older model. Apple kit is beautifully made and just lasts and lasts.
    You need only look at most of the iPhone/iOS tent pole features that have appeared over recent times. 

    A lot of them have been available on Android phones for years. 

    That is unlikely to change as there are still major features that have yet to come to iPhone, together with the fact that the big Android manufacturers bring two or more flagships to market every year. 

    IMO, Apple could definitely do more here. 




  • Reply 13 of 26
    Running on an iPhone 12 Pro and still see no reason to upgrade (except for the new battery), since innovation essentially stopped.
  • Reply 14 of 26
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,930member
    Just upgraded through Costco AT&T my two adult kids iPhone 13th to iPhone 16 Pro and one iPhone 16 Pro Max. Did not cost anything on iPhone 16 Pro but had to pay $199 over 36 months. After 3 years of heavy usage, iPhone calls you saying let me go please. And newer iPhone models like 16 has much better tech than older iPhone 12/13.
    Bart Ywatto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 26
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,086member
    sflagel said:
    Maybe because iPhones have looked the same for about 5 years now? People used to buy new phones (also) to stay with the newest fahion. 
    Nope. It's because they work really well and last a long time. They've enjoyed higher resale values from the start due to this. A lot of the knockoffs are junk and end up in a drawer.
    williamlondonBart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 26
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,086member
    This is not a surprise after the extremely boring, underwhelming, and non-compelling Apple event. Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.
    lol good one. Gimmicks aren't innovation. My friend's folding phone is a piece of junk.

    The event was for a better iPhone all around -- better camera, better camera controls, better battery life, better performance and capabilities. You may have been bored, if you're trying to find meaning in your life with Apple products, but I wasn't. Get a better perspective:

    williamlondonBart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 26
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,086member
    I see AppleInsider hasn't fixed their forum yet -- looove typing up a nice message only to have your CAPCHA widget wipe it out. 

    Anybody aware of and working on resolving this outstanding issue?
    williamlondonthtwatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 26
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,086member
    avon b7 said:
    Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.

    What is this vast innovation of which you speak?

    I bought an iPhone 12mini at release and it’s still my only phone. It’s running ios18 very nicely and if I change it then it will only be for a larger capacity iPhone 13mini. The only feature I’d really like from the new phones is the Camera button but I can live without it. 

    Also it helps that I’m not the kind of person to upgrade for the sake of a new model every year. I’ve just bought an M4 iPad Pro to replace the previous model I’d had for 6 years and if it wasn’t for Apple Intelligence and the HDR screen (which is amazing) I would still be using the older model. Apple kit is beautifully made and just lasts and lasts.
    You need only look at most of the iPhone/iOS tent pole features that have appeared over recent times. 

    A lot of them have been available on Android phones for years. 

    That is unlikely to change as there are still major features that have yet to come to iPhone, together with the fact that the big Android manufacturers bring two or more flagships to market every year. 

    IMO, Apple could definitely do more here. 
    Hilarious - Apple continues to show the way and the knockoffs continue to rip if off (funny how iOS Camera app and controls are now cloned on android down to the font colors) but they could be doing more! Sorry but you're still confusing "First!" with leadership. They are not the same.
    williamlondonlolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 26
    This is not a surprise after the extremely boring, underwhelming, and non-compelling Apple event. Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.
    Blah, blah, blah, why are you posting here? You're the consummate negative nelly, coming in here to drop a flaming bag of poo, for what reason? Grow up. Your posts are all the same, you're not contributing to the thread with the same nonsense negative shit every time.
    Bart Ylolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 26
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,376member
    avon b7 said:
    Android phone manufacturers have vastly surpassed Apple in terms of innovation and offerings.

    What is this vast innovation of which you speak?


    I bought an iPhone 12mini at release and it’s still my only phone. It’s running ios18 very nicely and if I change it then it will only be for a larger capacity iPhone 13mini. The only feature I’d really like from the new phones is the Camera button but I can live without it. 

    Also it helps that I’m not the kind of person to upgrade for the sake of a new model every year. I’ve just bought an M4 iPad Pro to replace the previous model I’d had for 6 years and if it wasn’t for Apple Intelligence and the HDR screen (which is amazing) I would still be using the older model. Apple kit is beautifully made and just lasts and lasts.
    You need only look at most of the iPhone/iOS tent pole features that have appeared over recent times. 

    A lot of them have been available on Android phones for years. 

    That is unlikely to change as there are still major features that have yet to come to iPhone, together with the fact that the big Android manufacturers bring two or more flagships to market every year. 

    IMO, Apple could definitely do more here. 



    Sad to say Android, Microsoft, and Google are the GM of tech world, like GM every 3 to 5 years they throw everything out i.e. like a Corvette and then start over again and again and again. Yet Apple manage to iterate every year if something works, they (like Porsche) don’t throw it out, and start over, and introduce something half ass and say we first look at me Apple just rolls up their sleeves up and iterates over time they also don’t engage in multiple wasteful blockbuster acquisitions costing billion dollars that lead to nothing.

    https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/21/iphones-top-7-best-selling-smartphones-2023/ Apple will be fine in comparison their so-called Android competition and 2024 will bring more of the same….

    edited October 5 watto_cobra
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