iPhone Upgrade Cycles Shorten as Apple Intelligence Drives Demand

New data reveals a shift in iPhone user behavior, with more frequent upgrades linked to exclusive AI features and carrier incentives.

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) reports a notable increase in iPhone users upgrading their devices within two years, rising to 36% in late 2024 from 31% the previous year.
The percentage of users keeping their iPhones for three years or more declined slightly to 33%, marking a shift in upgrade behavior last seen in 2020.
Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI-powered features available only on newer models, is believed to be a key factor driving earlier upgrades.
Carrier promotions and incentives are also contributing to the shorter upgrade cycles, encouraging users to adopt the latest devices sooner.
Despite this trend, Apple's financial performance reflects declining overall iPhone sales, suggesting the upgrades may be concentrated among the most engaged users.