A recent survey found the most popular iPhone model in the U.S. is not what you might expect.
A survey shows how much Americans really pay for their new phones.
Smartphone users plan to keep their devices for 38 months, but statistics show that Americans typically purchase a new phone after about 29 months. This means people hold onto their phones for approximately 40% longer than expected.
When asked about the primary motivation for upgrades, 21.9% of those surveyed indicated that they want faster performance. Typical year-over-year improvements to application processors range from 15% to 30%. Battery life was the next most common concern, at 18.4%. New features (13%) and replacing lost or broken phones (12.8%) were also common responses.
Desire for the latest model was cited by only 7.8% of respondents. Other reasons for upgrading included compatibility with new technologies (7.6%), insufficient storage (7.5%), trade-in deals or better contract options (5.7%), and better camera quality (4.3%). 1% cited another reason.
The survey found that the average consumer spent $634 on their new phone. This is made possible through trade-in programs and financing plans, even though flagship phones can cost over $1,000. 35% of consumers utilize carrier financing, and 5% use financing offered by the manufacturer. However, 47% pay the full price up front. Ryan Parker, an iPhone user, traded in his current iPhone and used an Apple Card to purchase an iPhone 17.
Parker explained that trading in his phone allows him to get value from it before it depreciates further. He now pays a lower monthly price for the new iPhone without interest. 5.1% of those surveyed received their new phone as a gift, while 2.2% purchased a refurbished phone.
Android phones were used by 52.1% of survey participants, while 47.6% used iPhones running iOS, and 0.3% used other operating systems. Worldwide, Android powers approximately 71.5% to 74% of phones, suggesting iPhones are more popular in the United States.
On a satisfaction scale of 0 to 5, iPhone users gave an average score of 4.16, compared to 3.98 for Android phones. The iPhone 15 earned a perfect score of 5, while newer Samsung Galaxy phones received a 3.6. Older iPhones also scored highly, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021) receiving a 4.72 and the iPhone XR (2018) receiving a 4.56. The 2023 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra received a rating of 3.58.
The survey was conducted on September 8, 2025, with 1,000 participants. Reviews.org stated that the survey covered smartphone ownership, upgrade habits, reasons for upgrades, payment methods, and device satisfaction. Satisfaction was measured on a scale of 0 to 5. Respondents reported how often they check their phones daily, referencing their phone’s screen time data.
The survey also indicated that the iPhone 13 is the most commonly owned iPhone model among those surveyed.