Almost one-in-three iPhones traded-in for new models – claim

Lots of iPhones

As we wait on the release of new iPhones, we learn that almost one-third of iPhones are traded-in for a new phone, compared to just 10% of Android phones, fresh data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners claims. They also claim that almost half of Android phones are kept for future use, compared to just 29% of iPhones.

Long lasting iPhones

It turns out that 24% of Android phones are either recycled or reported as lost, stolen, or broken, while only 17% of iPhones are recycled, lost, stolen, or broken. While 80% of previous phones have a display in good condition, 84% of iPhones report this compared to just 76% of Androids. Potentially a credit to Corning’s Gorilla glass.

iPhone users seem to understand the value of their device. How else do you explain that a much higher percentage of iPhones are sold or traded-in than Android phones?

The closed loop

While we’ve not yet entered an age of closed loop manufacturing and given the challenges of such capability may never reach that moment, it is vaguely reassuring that consumer consciousness is beginning to slow its upgrade cycle and pay more attention to second user devices.

In future, as the right to repair cry grows louder we’ll likely see manufacturers focus on enhancement above replacement, and while there are few signs to signify that in today’s smartphone industry, the notion that certain components can be replacable will surely be under review, if not at Apple then possibly elsewhere.

What’s quite interesting is that over both platforms, just 25% are sold or traded in while 54% are given to friends or family, or kept for future use, the survey claims.

Coming up

Apple will introduce its own brand-new iPhone 13 at a special event in Cupertino in a few hours of writing this.

There is no doubt that when it does it shall open up a new smartphone replacement cycle, with 80% of existing devices sold or passed on down the line. iPhone users have enjoyed the advantages of Apple’s relatively robust value for years. Though many still wonder if they should buy the next iteration, wait on discounts on existing models, or hold out for next year.

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