Survey Reveals Nearly 70% of iPhone Owners Are Ready to Jump to iPhone 17

Apple is days away from unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup at its September 9 “Awe Dropping” event, and a new survey suggests excitement is running high. According to data from SellCell, nearly seven in ten U.S. iPhone owners say they plan to upgrade, signaling one of the strongest pre-launch sentiments Apple has seen in years.

Upgrade Demand Surges Ahead of Launch

The survey of over 2,000 iPhone users found that 68.3% intend to buy an iPhone 17 at launch, up from 61.9% who expressed similar intent before the iPhone 16 in 2024. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are set to dominate demand, with 38.1% of upgraders eyeing those models. The all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air has drawn interest from 13.5%, while 16.7% prefer the standard model.

Surprisingly, the iPhone 17 Air model that enthusiasts are waiting for is the less in-demand option. However, things could change after Apple’s announcement. 

Foldables remain a niche interest, with just 3.3% waiting for a foldable iPhone. However, if Apple delays its foldable until 2026, 20.1% say they would consider switching to Samsung and 10.2% to Google.

What’s Driving People to Upgrade

Battery life stands out as the biggest reason to switch, with 53.2% citing it as their top priority. Design changes and new features (36.2%), display upgrades (34.3%), and cameras (28.1%) also rank highly. AI and software improvements, including Apple Intelligence, are less of a draw at just 7.1%.

Interestingly, 47.5% of users said they would trade longer battery life for a thinner design, while 29.7% said they aren’t interested in ultra-thin devices at all. This tension highlights how Apple’s rumored focus on slimmer hardware could divide opinion.

Barriers That Could Slow Adoption

Price remains the top barrier, with 68.9% saying cost is their biggest concern. Satisfaction with current devices also keeps some from upgrading, with 71.7% happy with their existing iPhones. Smaller groups cited discomfort with eSIM (6.6%), interest in foldables (7.5%), or considering Android (5.3%).

External factors could also disrupt demand. If tariffs drive up iPhone prices, 37% said they would delay a purchase, while 29% said it would depend on the increase. Only about a third would go ahead regardless.

Apple Loyalty Versus Android Temptation

Despite these concerns, Apple’s brand loyalty remains strong. Nearly 70% say they plan to stick with Apple no matter what competitors do. Still, the survey shows that Android’s appeal is growing. Users pointed to better AI (13%), lower prices (11%), improved cameras (11%), and foldables (9%) as reasons to consider switching.

When it comes to AI leadership, 44% of iPhone users still give Apple the edge, while only 6.6% each named Samsung or Google. Another 10% believe no company currently leads in AI.

What This Means for Apple’s Next Big Launch

Overall, the survey suggests Apple enters its September 9 keynote with momentum. Strong demand for the Pro models, curiosity around the Air, and high overall satisfaction levels put the company in a good position. But rising prices, the absence of a foldable iPhone, and growing Android competition could test just how loyal iPhone users really are.