US Smartphone Replacement Lengthens to 33 Months Despite Strong Interest In 5G

August 22, 2019

US Smartphone replacement extends to 33 months as both #Apple and #Samsung customers choose to wait.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, the average Apple smartphone has been active for 18 months and 16.5 months for Samsung. 1 in 5 Caucasians plan to keep their phones for 3 years or more while Baby Boomers increasingly are delaying their smartphone purchase for 3 years+.

Strategy Analytics consumer insights team developed and analyzed results of an online survey with 2,500 smartphone owners using a US nationally representative sampling of owners 18-64 years.

Key groups analyzed include:

• Gen Z: 18 -24 Years
• Gen Y: 25 -39 Years
• Gen X: 40 – 54 Years
• Boomers: 55 -64 Years
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Price Paid Current Smartphone
• Replacement Cycle

The report “US Smartphone Replacement and Brand Dynamics” is available to subscription clients here.

David Kerr, Senior Vice President at Strategy Analytics noted “Operators and device brands face significant inertia given consumer perception of diminishing innovation or marginal value add in successive generations of flagship devices. At the same time vendor pursuit of profitability has seen smartphone prices rising towards and above $1,000. Prices for 5G phones will be a key barrier despite 1 in 4 recognizing it as being important for their next device.”

Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “Wow features are important for only 1 in 3 US buyers with Hispanic and African Americans most interested as well as Gen Z. Premium customers spending $1000+ are naturally most desiring of wow features as well as new network technology but these represent only 7% of those surveyed.”

*Other highlight from the research include: *

• Apple and Samsung are dominant with brand loyalty above 70% with a huge separation to second tier vendors LG and Motorola with repeat purchase intentions below 50%
• Apple Dominates Hispanic and Asian Markets with market share above 50%
• Samsung leads in market share among Gen X but trails Apple by almost 40 points among Gen Z in terms of purchase intent.
• Camera Features, Quality are significantly more important to women and Gen Z users.
• A growing demand for better tools to Manage Time and Unplug from always on is seen especially in Gen Y and Gen Z.

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success.

For more information about Strategy Analytics

Consumer Insights Team: Click here

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Contact:

Analyst Contacts: Contact: David Kerr, +1 617 614 0720, dkerr@strategyanalytics.com

Linda Sui, +1 617 614 0735, Lsui@strategyanalytics.com

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