iPhone SE (Photo : Twitter)
iPhone owners in the United States are holding onto their smartphones longer before they upgrade to a newer version, based on data collected by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP). About half of all iPhone users are upgrading their phones after two years, although three years ago the figure was nearly two-thirds of all US iPhones.
CIRP data showed that just 51 percent of iPhones being used are 1-2 years old, according to 9 to 5 Mac. It explained that one main cause of the change is a slower speed of handset development. In addition, mobile carriers are switching from phone-included plans to separate financing for smartphones.
Telecoms' financing plans basically now reward customers who have paid for the handset in full. Customers seem to value owning the phone more than any upgrade options for securing the latest models, such as the iPhone 6s.
CIRP suggests that only enthralling new features would convince users to upgrade their iPhones more often. That seems unlikely with the iPhone 7.
However, one industry expert believes that the launch of iPhone 7 this year could result in record sales. BMO Capital Markets analyst Tim Long believes it could happen because a high ratio of today's iPhone owners has a model that is at least two years old.
Long thinks that one-quarter of the 120 million iPhones would likely be upgraded when iPhone 7 is rolled out. He researched the history of all iPhone sales. Long discovered that 17 percent of iPhone owners upgrade when the next model is released.
Meanwhile, 58 percent upgrade one year after that next version is launched, and 22 percent one year after that. Just 2 percent of the smartphone owners keep their devices longer.
Long also explained that 19 percent of iPhone users owned their phones for at least two years when the iPhone 6s was launched last year. However, the figure has spiked to 25 percent now.
In related news, Martin Hajek has made some rumored design renderings for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, according to TechnoBuffalo. They show a missing headphone jack and moved antenna bands. Meanwhile, images of the iPhone 7 Plus/Pro include a dual rear camera and Smart Connector port.
Here are some iPhone 7 leaks/rumors:
