Analytical firm CIRP has released a study that tracks how often iPhone users refresh their phones. The data reveals a pattern in smartphone replacement that stretches beyond a single year and reflects changing attitudes toward ownership cycles in North America. In 2023, a notable share of iPhone owners planned to hold onto their current devices for three years or longer. Specifically, 31 percent signaled intentions to keep their iPhone for three years or more, while another 30 percent aimed for a span between two and three years. A further 28 percent expected to use their device for one to two years, and 10 percent expected to stay with their current model for less than a year. This distribution shows a tilt toward extended ownership among a substantial portion of users, even as a solid minority prefers quicker upgrades.
The year-over-year comparison adds texture to the story. CIRP reported that in 2022, only 20 percent of iPhone owners planned to use their smartphones for three years or more, and the trend shifted again in earlier years. In 2021 the share was higher, while 2020 saw a dip, and 2019 showed an intermediate level of long-term planning. These shifts illustrate how consumer expectations for device longevity have evolved, influenced by pricing, technology cycles, and personal financial considerations. When viewed across multiple years, the data paints a portrait of a market where a core group maintains devices longer, while others move toward midcycle replacements.
Analysts at CIRP explain that the move toward new hardware in previous years was shaped by the unique pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move to remote work created a demand for the latest devices, as people looked to maximize productivity and rely on more capable technology for daily tasks. Financial incentives and swap programs from manufacturers and carriers played a role in making upgrades more accessible, enabling many consumers to trade in older models for newer ones. The pandemic-era context helped accelerate upgrade cycles, and the aftereffects continue to influence purchasing decisions as households reassess needs and budgets in a technology-driven economy.
Overall, the data captures a nuanced picture of how iPhone ownership is balanced against the cost of new devices, the appeal of newer features, and the practical demands of daily life. The willingness to extend ownership periods among a sizable portion of users suggests that value, reliability, and user satisfaction carry weight in decisions to keep or replace a device. As technology evolves and pricing considerations shift, analysts expect these patterns to continue to adapt to the realities of consumers seeking efficiency, performance, and longevity in their smartphones.
In summary, the CIRP findings underscore a landscape where some iPhone users plan multi-year holdings, others pursue shorter cycles, and external factors such as economic conditions and upgrade programs shape the timing of purchases. The ongoing conversation around replacement cycles remains an important barometer for product teams and industry watchers tracking how device ownership evolves in North American markets.