Apple iPhone 17 a sell-out before launch? 70% of US users plan to upgrade

As anticipation builds for the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series at Apple’s autumn keynote on September 9, a recent survey reveals that an impressive 70% of U.S. iPhone users are gearing up to upgrade. Dubbed "Awe Dropping," this event is poised to be one of Apple’s most significant launches this year, showcasing not only the new iPhone lineup but also updates to the Apple Watch, AirPods, and enhancements in artificial intelligence features. Conducted by smartphone price comparison site SellCell, the survey questioned over 2,000 iPhone users in August. It found that approximately 68.3% of respondents are likely to upgrade, a noticeable increase from 61.9% seen before last year’s iPhone 16 launch. The more advanced Pro and Pro Max models are set to capture the majority of interest, with 38.1% of users intending to purchase them. In contrast, 16.7% plan to opt for the standard iPhone 17, while 13.5% expressed interest in the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air. Only 3.3% showed a preference for a yet-to-be-released foldable iPhone. Battery life stands out as the primary motivation for users looking to upgrade, with 53% of participants citing it as a key factor. Other influential aspects include new designs (36.2%), display technology (34.3%), and camera enhancements (28.1%). Conversely, only just over 7% of respondents highlighted artificial intelligence features as a primary concern. Price remains a significant barrier, as nearly 69% of those surveyed indicated that cost was their main hesitation, while over 71% reported satisfaction with their current devices. Additional reasons for postponing an upgrade included the appeal of foldable devices (7.5%), hesitation over adopting eSIM technology (6.6%), and switching to Android (5.3%). The findings also suggest potential challenges for Apple, as around 20% of current users might consider switching to Samsung if a foldable device is not introduced by 2026, with just over 10% eyeing Google. Despite this, brand loyalty remains robust, with nearly 70% of iPhone users affirming their commitment to Apple, regardless of competitors. When discussing design preferences, 47.5% of respondents indicated they would sacrifice battery life for a sleeker phone, while almost 30% expressed no desire for thinner models. Opinions on artificial intelligence were mixed; about 44% deemed Apple's AI capabilities important, while a third showed little interest. When asked about the leading company in AI, 44% identified Apple, with Samsung and Google trailing at 6.6%. Approximately 10% felt no company currently leads the field. The survey highlighted the crucial role pricing will play in upgrade decisions, with 36.8% of users stating they would delay upgrading if prices increased significantly, while nearly 30% said their decision would hinge on the magnitude of the price hike. Roughly a third of respondents remained undeterred by potential price increases and would proceed with a purchase regardless.