Telecom
iPhone 17 Launch Opens a Loyalty Window: 61% Ready to Upgrade, 33% Open to Switching: Amdocs

iPhone 17 Launch Opens a Loyalty Window: 61% Ready to Upgrade, 33% Open to Switching: Amdocs

Amdocs, a leading provider of software and services to communications and media companies, announced new research offering deeper insight into what's driving consumer interest in smartphone upgrades - highlighting the factors influencing their choice of communications service providers.

The Life of a Smartphone: 2025 Connectivity Report  surveyed U.S. consumers about their upgrade intentions, feature preferences, and carrier expectations. Released ahead of iPhone 17 pre-orders, the findings underscore a pivotal moment: device launches draw attention, but consumers ultimately decide based on everyday value. Specifically, they continue to prioritize network reliability, affordability, and innovative connectivity - creating an opportunity for service providers to build lasting trust. This is particularly true among younger consumers, 79% of whom already own an iPhone, highlighting the generational intensity of brand loyalty.

Among the top upgrade drivers, battery life and device performance lead across all age groups. For top wants from service providers, broader 5G/6G coverage leads (46%). Notably, 62% say satellite-based features would influence - or potentially influence - their provider choice. This marks a turning point: satellite is no longer niche-it's emerging as a viable secondary network that enables always-on mobility and new monetization opportunities.

"It's 2025, and users still care more about battery life than AI-and that says everything about how integral smartphones have become to every aspect of our lives," said Gil Rosen, Chief Marketing Officer, Amdocs. "Our data shows battery longevity (42%) is the top upgrade driver, ahead of Apple Intelligence. That's a wake-up call. At the same time, we're entering a new connectivity era where users can rely on two networks - cellular and satellite - unlocking global, always-on coverage. It's not just for consumers; satellite will open the door to new products and services in verticals like logistics, emergency services, and mobility. It's a transformative layer that redefines how CSPs approach coverage, customer experience, and monetization."

Leave A Comment