“Apple has a slew of iPhone users who are ready for an upgrade,” Andrew Sebastian writes for The Motley Fool. “All the major carriers, such as Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint, have many users with older iPhone models, chiefly the iPhone 4 and 4s. T-Mobile is the only exception, with its iPhone 5c and 5s users making up 41% of its total iPhone user base.”
“For Verizon, over half (56%) of its iPhone users still have the iPhone 4 and 4s models. Moreover, 24% of Verizon’s iPhone users still use the iPhone 5, and an even smaller proportion, 17%, use the iPhone 5c and 5s models,” Sebastian writes. “The iPhone 4 and 4s models are currently used by 42% of AT&T iPhone users, while 25% use the iPhone 5 and 23% have the iPhone 5c and 5s versions. So, a large proportion of AT&T iPhone users could upgrade to the new iPhone 6, another possible boon to Apple’s earnings.”
“Sprint’s iPhone 4 and 4s users account for 47% of its total iPhone user base. Moreover, 24% currently have the iPhone 5 and 27% use the 5c and 5s versions of the phone. So, a substantial portion of Sprint’s iPhone users could be making an upgrade as well, like Verizon and AT&T’s,” Sebastian writes. “Although not the largest percentage of its iPhone user base, 35% of T-Mobile’s iPhone users still have the 4 and 4s models. Further, 24% have the iPhone 5 and 41% use the 5c and 5s models. Therefore, a large percentage of T-Mobile’s users could also be making an upgrade when the iPhone 6 comes out.”
Read more in the full article here.
*phew*
Number overload!
The takeaway is that close to one-half of U.S. subscribers using iPhones are still using iPhone 4 and 4s models. That is a lot of likely upgrades.
Even if the iPhone 6 isn’t quite as fantastic as many of us expect, many of these folks will probably upgrade to the iPhone 6 or a lower priced version of the 5s/5c over the next 6 to 12 months. Hang on for the AAPL ride!
People simply want a larger iPhone. It’s as simple as that.
No sh*t. My eyes started to glass over.
I’ll have to wait and see about upgrading. The pictures I’ve seen of supposed 4.7″ iPhones 6 screens wouldn’t be a big enough difference for me to upgrade by itself.
Fewwww!!
Just saying that I’d be more interested in the purported 5.5″ model, that’s all.
Same here. I have the 5s and will be a day-one buyer of the larger screened 6. My 50-year-old eyes will appreciate it.
You know that bigger screen doesn’t necessarily mean bigger objects on the screen right? If they use a higher resolution, it would mean more STUFF on the screen at any given time, and not BIGGER stuff on the screen.
Same here. I use my phone as a GPS, face it, 4″ is too small for these old eyes and the text is too small in the Maps app.
The wife and I are still using our iPhone 4 models which still function as good as new. But I guess I will finally upgrade with the 6 when I switch from AT&T to Verizon, something I keep putting off since the phones themselves work so well. Heck, if the 4 was compatible with Verizon I’d use them as long as possible. I think a lot of people feel the same, since it’s not like having a disposable Android gizmo.
As a long time Apple product user, and stockholder, I sure this “heavy pent up demand” for the larger 6 is real, and isn’t anything like the pent up demand that Blackberry’s Heinz stated there was for the Q10.
iPhone 6 will be da bomb in sales. KABOOM!! Shamsucks will have to prepare itself for a big bag of sales hurt.
The mother of all upgrade cycles.
Dumb ass…
Sorry- wrong article!
Don’t get upset, there is usually a Dumb Ass, hanging out, nearby, anyway.
As for people complaining about the screen of the 6 still being too small, maybe Apple should address that and add cell phone functions to the ipad mini? Hell, add it to the ipad air too, then everyone can have the screen size they want. I’v see people with those big Samsung phones that your not sure if it’s a tablet or a phone, thats just not practical for me. It needs to fit in my pocket.
Just a better of time before iPad’s and tablets have cell phone capability further blurring the line. Surprised desperate Samsung hasn’t done this already thinking it fantastic new “innovation.”
I just bought a new Mac Book Pro and I wish it had a cellular connection too. What’s the holdup?
If a 4.7 inch or 5.5 inch phone won’t fit in your pocket then you must have awfully small pockets. Try wearing your big boy pants.
He must be wearing training pants!
I’m a waiter. I’ve had a 4s for years and it suited me fine except for one thing. The screen is too small. I want a BIG phone! I want to be able to easily see things, I don’t care about one handed use. I’ll use two if I can see what’s on there without squinting all the time. Apple, please do this for me or I’m afraid my next phone won’t be an iPhone.
Just a few more months Scott and you’ll get your wish.
1) The article did not mention users with older Android phones also will be ready to upgrade. My gut tells me many of these people will take the training wheels off and spend a couple extra bucks to get the real deal.
2) My mother has an iPhone 4, iPad Mini and iPad Air. She will not upgrade to a better phone, unless there is a very compelling reason. I suspect many others feel the same.
3) The front of the iPhone has looked the same for several years and looks slightly dated when compared to many of the slimmer bezel Android offerings. If the front of the iPhone 6 is not updated (I prefer no side bezels because this makes the icons appear like they are floating, which is super cool) then sales will go elsewhere. The iPhone 6 has to be spectacular, inside and out.
I’ll be moving to the 6 as soon as it appears. My wife will receive my 5. If AAPL offers a choice in screen size, I’m not sure if I will go larger. I like the comfort on the existing size.
I’m due an upgrade in August. I can get a discount on an iPhone 6 around Christmas. I will be upgrading at that time regardless of the size, but if a 5.5″ is offered as well as a 4.7″, I’ll probably go for the larger screen, if only for the increased real-estate for photography and navigation with contour maps.
If it comes with a Liquidmetal frame, sapphire crystal and 128Gb of storage as well, I’ll be ecstatic!
That upgrade is from an iP5, btw, and I still have, and use, my old iP4, as a backup phone and iPod.
I’ve got a 4S, which I’ve had now nearly 3 years. I push my device to its limits, and the older specs are beginning to show. The main reason I did not upgrade to a 5S was because the RAM wasn’t doubled from the 5, and that’s what will certainly happen when the 6 comes out.
As soon as it is Introduced on T-Mobile count me in to get my Upgrade. I do pay the $10.00 Extra Monthly for the (JUMP!) Anytime upgrade Plan. Yeaaaaaaaa Magenta Kicks Arse 4 Real !!!
A couple of things to consider:
1. Upgrade cycles are getting longer since existing units still function well.
2. Those in plans over 2 years are paying more than they should because of the built in phone subsidy pay back
3. New plans are coming out that are more favorable to the user with better data rates and lower initial fees.
Add in more options for iPhones and it does look like it will be a good second half of the year for Apple.
Most critical factor never mentioned is what percentage of iPhone 4/s users purchased their iPhone say 2 years or longer by the time iPhone6 becomes about…
For example, some who just bought an iPhone 4S would most likely not upgrade and probably won’t have the funds if they bought a 4s versus a 5s.
Having said all that: ignoring all the mind numbing % figures mentioned: The total number of iPhone users will be larger than ever before and all of them will have the desire to upgrade, and major portion will upgrade so good chance it will be a new record.
Can you believe my phone used to cost $7.35 per month?
Now you could buy a car for the money a phone costs.
This is progress?