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CIRP Says 87% of New iPhone Buyers Were Already iPhone Users

High retention concentrates iPhone growth on repeat buyers.

Overview

  • CIRP’s survey shows iPhone loyalty rose to 87% in the March 2026 quarter while only 12% of new iPhone buyers said they came from Android devices.
  • The figure describes the mix of iPhone purchases by asking buyers what phone they owned immediately before the purchase, so it reflects buyer composition rather than net platform migration.
  • Android-to-iPhone switching has stayed in a narrow 11–15% band in recent years, and the 12% share in the March quarter is a modest move inside that range.
  • Apple’s large installed base — the company said it passed 2.5 billion active devices in January 2026 — and friction around moving apps, data, and accessories make upgrades inside the iPhone ecosystem easier than switching platforms.
  • Analysts note upcoming product and software moves could nudge future switching, with Apple’s planned Siri AI in iOS 27 confirmed for rollout and reports of a foldable iPhone described in coverage as unconfirmed speculation that might attract some Android users.