Skip to main content

Here’s how long Apple users are holding on to their iPhones

Last week we saw a report from CIRP on Apple achieving an all-time high iPhone average selling price. Today, the firm released a study showing how long Apple users are keeping their iPhones before upgrading, here’s what the results show.

While Apple scored a new iPhone average selling price record near $1,000 and saw a record March quarter this year for iPhone revenue, the new report from CIRP suggests the company could see slowing demand for its smartphones.

From 2019 to 2021, Apple customers kept their phones longer and longer with 34% of them having an iPhone that was three years of age or older.

Interestingly, that trend seemed to abruptly reserve in 2022, however, the latest data from March this year shows the majority of Apple users reporting they’re holding onto their iPhones for 2-3 years or longer.

Top comment by Tony Talks

Liked by 7 people

There hasn't been much need to upgrade when we are in a mature phone market. Upgrades have mostly been iterative for the last couple years now. My iPhone 13 Pro will last me 4-5 years instead of buying a new phone every year like in 2016.

View all comments

March 2021 was still the peak for the average age of iPhones but the 2023 results are moving back near those numbers.

How long users keep iPhones

In explanation of all the upgrades that appeared to happen in 2022, CIRP believes it was likely a mix of COVID-induced iPhone purchases, government stimulus checks, “and the interruption of travel and entertainment spending helped consumers afford newer models.”

The report also highlights that those factors may have lined up with “more aggressive trade-in programs that offered exceptional value for relatively new used phones as well.”

We’ll have to wait and see how this trend of keeping iPhones for longer plays out in the months and years ahead.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Michael Potuck Michael Potuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.