Are people becoming immune to iPhone release hysteria?

The launch of Apple’s new products serves as a reminder for some to upgrade their own devices. But the number seduced by the novelty of fancy features might be getting smaller.

The recent release of Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 16, has undoubtedly made some users consider renewing their own phones.

But how many people are researching and comparing different Apple smartphone models or already looking for ways to afford an iPhone in the wake of the release?

CIRP, a website that provides data reports on Apple products, has recently updated its analysis on how the release of the new iPhone model has an impact on the smartphone replacement cycle.

Recent data suggests that “even with the introduction of new, leading-edge features, iPhone owners continue to hang on to the phone they already own.”

According to the research, now that smartphones are more durable and of higher quality, users are less interested in new device features presented during company events and decide whether it’s worth changing their smartphone depending on the condition of their existing device.

That seems to be reflected in the data for 2023 – 2024. In 2023, 64% of users had had their phone for over two years. This increased to 67% in 2024.

There has been a gradual decrease in the percentage of users who have had their smartphone for less than a year since 2022, when the percentage was 22%, now standing at 8%.

Another factor that makes certain users want to keep their phones for a little longer is when they purchase them through mobile carriers. While such service companies provide users with the possibility of owning the latest device without having to pay the whole sum, “many iPhone owners enjoy a decrease of $40 or more in their monthly cell phone expense” after being done with their payments.

The analysis suggests that despite such and similar payment programs that provide users with the opportunity to upgrade their phones more often, the trend of owning a smartphone for longer will continue.