iPhone 17 Craze: 70% of US Users Plan Upgrade Before Apple’s Sept 9 ‘Awe Dropping’ Event

iPhone 17 Craze: Apple is gearing up for one of its most anticipated launches of the year—the iPhone 17 series—at its annual autumn keynote on September 9, 2025. Branded as the “Awe Dropping” event, the showcase promises cutting-edge devices, fresh designs, and deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across Apple’s ecosystem.

But here’s the big headline: 📊 A recent survey reveals that 70% of US iPhone users plan to upgrade once the new series is announced. That’s a surge compared to last year’s iPhone 16 buzz, and it suggests Apple is on track for another record-breaking release.

🌟 Key Takeaways

• 📱 70% of US iPhone users plan to upgrade to the iPhone 17 lineup.
• 🔋 Battery life is the top reason for upgrading, followed by design and camera.
• 💸 Price remains the biggest obstacle, with nearly 69% worried about rising costs.
• 🔮 AI features divide users: some see them as essential, others not impressed.
• 🔄 Foldables could tempt some away from Apple if not introduced by 2026.
• ❤️ Despite challenges, brand loyalty is strong, with 70% sticking to Apple.

📊 A Survey That Signals Strong Demand

The survey, conducted by smartphone price comparison site SellCell, polled over 2,000 US iPhone owners in August. The findings paint a clear picture:

• 68.3% plan to upgrade this year, up from 61.9% last year.
• Pro and Pro Max models are the most desired, with 38.1% of buyers eyeing them.
• The standard iPhone 17 appeals to 16.7%.
• The sleek, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air drew interest from 13.5%.
• A small group (3.3%) still dream of a foldable iPhone, which remains absent.

This growing enthusiasm signals not just consumer excitement but also confidence in Apple’s ability to deliver meaningful upgrades.

🔋 Why Are People Upgrading?

The survey highlights the top drivers of upgrade interest:

Clearly, battery life rules the list. People want their phones to last longer through work, travel, and daily use. Design, displays, and cameras also remain major factors, proving Apple’s focus on aesthetics and visual experiences still pays off.

Interestingly, while Apple is pushing AI heavily, only a small fraction (7.2%) see it as a primary reason to upgrade. For many, AI is a “nice to have,” not a deal-breaker.

💸 The Cost Factor: Apple’s Biggest Challenge

Despite the excitement, there’s a big barrier—price.

• 69% said high cost is the number one deterrent.
• 71% said they’re satisfied with their current iPhone, reducing urgency to upgrade.
• 36.8% said they would delay if prices rise sharply.
• About a third would upgrade regardless of price, showing just how strong Apple’s pull can be.

Apple has always walked a fine line between premium pricing and consumer loyalty. This year, with inflation and global economic shifts, pricing decisions could heavily influence adoption.

📱 The Foldable Factor: A Risk for Apple?

One of the more eye-catching survey findings is the desire for foldables.

• If Apple does not launch a foldable by 2026, 20% of users say they may switch to Samsung, the current leader in foldable phones.
• Around 10% would consider Google’s Pixel Fold.

This suggests that while most users are loyal, Apple risks losing a slice of its base if it ignores the growing trend of foldable smartphones.

❤️ Brand Loyalty Still Reigns Supreme

The good news for Apple: brand loyalty remains exceptionally strong.

• Nearly 70% of iPhone users say they will stick with Apple no matter what.
• Competitors like Samsung and Google may attract some, but Apple’s ecosystem—iCloud, iMessage, AirDrop, Apple Watch, AirPods—keeps most users firmly in place.

This loyalty is one of Apple’s greatest strengths, and it’s why the iPhone remains the best-selling smartphone in the US year after year.

🎨 Slimmer Designs vs. Bigger Batteries

Apple has long pushed for slimmer, lighter designs, but users are divided:

• 47.5% said they’d accept shorter battery life for a slimmer phone.
• 30% said they don’t care about thinner models.

This shows Apple’s ongoing design dilemma: keep devices ultra-thin or prioritize all-day battery power. Given the survey results, Apple may continue balancing both rather than going extreme in either direction.

🤖 The AI Divide

Apple is betting big on AI integration across its devices, but users are split:

• 44% say Apple’s AI features are “very important.”
• 33% say AI is of little interest.
• When asked which company leads in AI:
  • 44% chose Apple
  • 6.6% Samsung
  • 6.6% Google
  • 10% said no clear leader

This mixed feedback suggests that while Apple’s AI efforts (like smarter Siri, AI-powered editing, and productivity tools) are welcomed by many, they are not yet the main attraction for most buyers.

🔮 What to Expect at Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ Event

Here’s what industry watchers expect Apple to unveil on September 9:

• iPhone 17 lineup: Standard, Pro, Pro Max, and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.
• Apple Watch updates: Likely with new health features and better battery.
• AirPods refresh: Possibly with new designs or AI-enhanced audio features.
• AI integration: Smarter Siri, on-device AI models, and new productivity tools.

The event will set the tone for Apple’s strategy heading into 2026, especially as competition from Samsung, Google, and AI-first startups intensifies.

📈 What This Means for Apple

The iPhone 17 hype shows that demand is stronger than ever, but also that Apple faces new challenges:

• Users want better battery and fresh designs more than futuristic AI tools.
• High prices could slow adoption unless Apple balances features with affordability.
• Foldables are a looming threat, but Apple has time to innovate.
• Brand loyalty is Apple’s safety net, keeping most users from switching.

If Apple manages to deliver on battery life, design, and pricing, the iPhone 17 could become one of its most successful launches yet.

🎯 Conclusion

The upcoming iPhone 17 launch is shaping up to be more than just another product release—it’s a test of Apple’s ability to innovate, balance user priorities, and hold off rising competition. With 70% of users planning to upgrade, the demand is there. But Apple’s pricing strategy and ability to address consumer concerns will ultimately decide whether this becomes another record-breaking success.

One thing is certain: come September 9, 2025, the world will be watching Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event—and millions of wallets will be ready. 💳📱