iPhone owners are replacing their devices faster than before

AppleInsider

For years, iPhone owners have been holding onto their devices longer, but new data suggests that trend is shifting -- at least for now.

iPhone 15 models

A report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) claims that more iPhone users retired their devices at a younger age in the December 2024 quarter compared to 2023. Specifically, 36% of buyers had owned their previous iPhone for two years or less, up from 31% in late 2023.

Meanwhile, fewer users held onto their phones for three years or longer. It's not clear whether the CIRP report looks at iPhone buyers worldwide or just in the U.S.

Since CIRP usually focuses on the U.S. market, the data might not show upgrade trends in other countries where carrier deals and pricing are different.

Sustaining demand amid longer upgrade cycles

Several factors could explain the recent shift. Carrier Trade-in deals and installment plans continue to encourage upgrades around the two-year mark.

How long iPhone owners kept their previous device each December quarter. Image credit: CIRP

Additionally, Apple's slowing sales may indicate that the most dedicated users are making up a larger share of recent purchases. Those who tend to keep their iPhones longer may be holding off until a must-have feature or compelling deal convinces them to upgrade.

For years, the company has faced a challenge -- most iPhones remain functional for four to five years, reducing the urgency to upgrade. The company has responded with features that create a sense of FOMO, from camera innovations to AI-powered capabilities.

If more users are upgrading sooner, it may suggest Apple's efforts to make new iPhones feel essential are paying off. Whether the new pattern continues depends on the company's ability to drive demand with new features and promotions.

For now, the data suggests that while many users still prefer to hold onto their devices, upgrade cycles may be shortening for a growing segment of iPhone buyers.



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daalseth

Looking at the chart I really don’t see data to support the conclusion. 2024 was the same as 2020. 21 and 22 were higher. 23 was a significatly low year so a bounce back from that is expected. These look more like normal year to year variations. 

braytonak

Interesting, considering the plateau we seem to have reached. My phone is just over two years old and I have negative urge to replace it. I would like it to have a USB-C charge connector but that’s small beans. 

I do miss the excitement of new releases but I’m feeling desensitized to the FOMO, and so is my wallet. 

daalseth

braytonak said:

Interesting, considering the plateau we seem to have reached. My phone is just over two years old and I have negative urge to replace it. I would like it to have a USB-C charge connector but that’s small beans. 

I do miss the excitement of new releases but I’m feeling desensitized to the FOMO, and so is my wallet. 

Agreed. I have an 11 and was thinking of getting a 16, five years seemed like a good number. But the model didn’t really tempt me, so decided to wait another year. My plan is to go with a 17, especially if my 11 can’t handle the newest iOS. But we will see. If it’s still doing everything I want then…

ssfe11

I upgrade to the Pro Max every year. First off my carrier pays for most of it and since my whole life is on my iPhone I want the most up to date security, speed and features( Apple Intelligence is great btw) etc. 

yyzguy

In the early years they made significant updates with each new model.  Today’s updates are incremental.  Zero need for purchasing a new model just because.   I’m on the SE bandwagon myself and skipped 2022.   The 2020 model is just about ready to be replaced.   $400 to $500 every 5 years is reasonable.

yyzguy

ssfe11 said:

I upgrade to the Pro Max every year. First off my carrier pays for most of it and since my whole life is on my iPhone I want the most up to date security, speed and features( Apple Intelligence is great btw) etc. 

I wouldn’t do that no matter how much money I had.  That’s just dumb.   I’m sure the real cost is included with your carrier payments.   I pay $20/month unlimited with Visible wireless (using the Verizon network).  Lemme guess, you’re paying more than $70/month, probably more.

brianjo

ssfe11 said:

I upgrade to the Pro Max every year. First off my carrier pays for most of it and since my whole life is on my iPhone I want the most up to date security, speed and features( Apple Intelligence is great btw) etc. 

The carrier isn't paying squat. They burry the cost of the phone upgrades into your monthly plans. Granted, some carriers just keep you at higher rates even if you don't upgrade, but you ultimately are the one paying for the new phone. It's kind of sad, really because when the iPhone first came out, Apple DIDN'T want carrier subsidies or contracts as part of the purchase. Oh how times have changed.

swat671

I myself have been slowing my upgrading. Starting with the iPhone 1, I upgraded every 2 years. Once I got the 6+, I waited 3 years to get the 8+ (skipped the 6s and 7). Then I waited 4 years to get my current 13 Pro. I’m waiting to see what the 17 looks like. That’s the issue with the difference between subsequent years has slowed down, and the quality is so high, they last. Unlike a lot of the ‘droid phones. 

jeffharris

Still using my iPhone Pro 13 w/ 1TB (for music storage).

thought about getting a 16, but will probably wait for a 17 Pro at this point.

m68000

jeffharris said:

Still using my iPhone Pro 13 w/ 1TB (for music storage).

thought about getting a 16, but will probably wait for a 17 Pro at this point.

Do you find that 1TB is worth it?   Yeah it’s cool to have but is it useful?  I have 512GB and it’s a lot of space.

fred257

iPhone 12 mini is awesome. Still working great even with serious drops on rocks 

mustseeuhdtv

All the major carriers give away the phones for “free” every 2 years. Heck T-mobile now does it every year.

I’m still on my iPhone 14 Pro and still have my iPhone 12 Pro as my car dash cam. So many RSA and Okta tokens tied to my phone that only a worth while phone will get me to go through the hassle of upgrading (like I wanted the Satellite SOS).

cubeover

As an OLED dissident, I won’t upgrade my ‘11 until there is a non-PWM screen.
Make Apple logo on the back a TouchID and it’s a double whammy. Too many FaceID rejections when I am riding (helmet, hair changes, goggles etc)

edited February 13

charlesn

DAalseth said:

Looking at the chart I really don’t see data to support the conclusion. 2024 was the same as 2020. 21 and 22 were higher. 23 was a significatly low year so a bounce back from that is expected. These look more like normal year to year variations. 

Yes, agreed, really bizarre. Absolutely NOTHING in the charts to support the headline or the article, but AppleInsider closes its eyes, makes believe and publishes it anyway. And note that while it makes references to this supposed "trend," it never cites the data to support it because there is no supporting data. Here's what we can conclude: the numbers will change somewhat, in either direction, from one December to the next. The End. 

danox

Still hanging with an 11 Pro iPhone 512 gig, just waiting for the black spot/notch to be gone, however, many people absolutely need the latest and greatest also many people as long as it’s a monthly payment are happy to upgrade and last but not least many Apple iPhones and Apple iPads get handed down to the next younger sibling in large families which necessitates a upgrade for someone.

edited February 13

daalseth

charlesn said:

DAalseth said:

Looking at the chart I really don’t see data to support the conclusion. 2024 was the same as 2020. 21 and 22 were higher. 23 was a significatly low year so a bounce back from that is expected. These look more like normal year to year variations. 

Yes, agreed, really bizarre. Absolutely NOTHING in the charts to support the headline or the article, but AppleInsider closes its eyes, makes believe and publishes it anyway. And note that while it makes references to this supposed "trend," it never cites the data to support it because there is no supporting data. Here's what we can conclude: the numbers will change somewhat, in either direction, from one December to the next. The End. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that the general public really DGAF about AI and Apple, Google, MS, et.al. Are panicking because they threw billions away on something that people simply aren’t going to use and won’t drive sales. Hence we see stories like this trying to keep the hype going in the hope to build up interest. 

edited February 13