Why Android Owners Switch to iPhone

The reasons are diverse and confusing, and for some buyers they include the desire to use iMessage and FaceTime among family and friends.

Earlier we analyzed the incidence of switching from Android devices to iPhones among iPhone buyers. We showed that the rate has ranged from 10-15% over the past several years and increased a bit in the past several quarters.

For the iPhone buyers that previously owned an Android smartphone, we ask the reason why they switched operating systems. Some could not articulate why they made the change - they just “wanted something new”. For those who could state a clear reason, we saw four types:

• prior phone problems: their old phone did not serve them, because it was aging, needed repair, or had some deficiency that affected their user experience

• new phone features: they wanted more and different ways to use their smartphone, like a better camera, enhanced accessory options, or a more intuitive user interface

• cost: they could spend less on a new iPhone than they expected or than on a comparable Android smartphone

• community connecting: they wanted a smartphone that integrates with family and friends, including using iMessage and FaceTime on iOS

For buyers that had a specific reason, slightly more than one-half highlighted a problem with their prior phone (Chart 1). Specific reasons included problems with connections, battery life, or other essential functional attributes of using the device.

Chart 1: Reason for Switching from Android to iOS (twelve months ending in March 2023)