Last updated September 13, 2023
44% of Android Owners Say Move to USB-C Will Tempt them to Buy iPhone 15.
- 44% of existing Android owners would be tempted to buy an iPhone 15 if Apple introduces USB-C charging
- 63% of iPhone users said that Apple moving to a USB-C charging connector would influence their decision to upgrade to an iPhone 15
- Overall, 66% of iPhone users said that they will be looking to upgrade to an iPhone 15. Of the 66%, a staggering 63% are swayed to upgrade because of the move from lightning port charging to USB-C
Apple is still the exception when it comes to charging phones, currently sticking with its proprietary lightning cable. Other phone manufacturers, including Samsung, have moved across to USB-C some time ago. USB-C Charging is pretty much the commonplace standard now in most markets. USB-C ports and connectors are the universal standard charging points at home, in the office and coffee shops worldwide. Whilst Apple may be reluctant to move from their lightning cable, which ties Apple users into their ecosystem, recent EU rules mean that Apple would have to have adopted the USB-C port before the end of 2024. It has been widely rumored that rather than wait until 2024, Apple will launch their iPhone 15 at their Apple Event on 12th September with the new USB-C charging port.
What Do Apple & Android Fans Think About iPhone 15 + USB-C?
Despite Apple’s reluctance to drop their lightning cable, what do Apple Fans think about them potentially moving across to USB-C ? Will existing iPhone users be more motivated to upgrade to the new iPhone 15 now the more commonplace changing port and connector is available? Or will this not influence their decision? Will Android fanboys potentially consider a switch if they can charge an iPhone in the standard USB-C charging points that are offered everywhere and anywhere?
To find out Phone Trade-In Expert SellCell have surveyed 1000+ iPhone users and 1000+ Android users the find out the following:
- If the introduction of USB-C charging motivates them to buy an iPhone 15 on upgrade?
- Why the introduction of USB-C may/ may not motivate them to buy an iPhone 15?
- If they intend to purchase an iPhone 15 when they next upgrade?
Here’s what they said……
Key Findings
- 63% of iPhone users said that Apple moving to a USB-C Charging port would influence their decision to upgrade to an iPhone 15.
- Of those that would be motivated to buy because of USB-C, the majority of iPhones users (37%) cited that they would upgrade as they would be able to use a single charging cable for iPhones, Macs and iPads
- Of the iPhone users that would NOT be motivated to upgrade to an iPhone 15 + USB-C, the majority (38%) said they are happy to stick with their existing iPhone
- Overall, 66% of iPhone users said that they will be looking to upgrade to an iPhone 15. Of the 66%, a staggering 63% are swayed to upgrade because of the move from lightning port charging to USB-C.
- Surprisingly, 44% of existing Android owners would be templeted to buy an iPhone 15 if Apple introduce USB-C charging. The majority (56%) will not move from Android because of universal charging technology.
- 35% of Android phone owners that would be motivated to buy an iPhone 15 if Apple introduces a USB-C, said that they would do so as the phones will be compatible with chargers by non- apple devices.
- For those Android owners that would not be motivated to buy an iPhone 15 because of USB-C, a resounding 74% said they are happy on Android and would not switch to iPhone.
- Of existing Android fans 66% overall would not be buying an iPhone 15 and 34% will potentially upgrade to the iPhone 15. The move to USB-C Charging motivates 44% to think about moving – and of that 34% actually stated that will upgrade.
Survey Results
SellCell surveyed over 1000 iPhone users to find out if Apple’s rumored changes to their charging port would motivate them to purchase an iPhone 15. Take a look at the results.
iPhone Owners
Question 1
| Will the introduction of USB-C charging motivate you to buy an iPhone 15 when you upgrade? | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| Yes | 62.80% / 665 |
| No | 37.20% / 394 |
When asked if the introduction of USB-C charging would motivate them to buy an iPhone 15, 63% of iPhone users said that this would influence their decision and they would upgrade. Conversely, 37% will not be swayed to upgrade if Apple move to the universal charging system.
Question 2
| Why will the introduction of USB-C charging motivate you to buy an iPhone 15? (Tick one) | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| Customers will be able to use a single charging cable for iPhones, Macs and iPads | 36.84% / 245 |
| The phones will be compatible with chargers used by non-Apple devices | 29.77% / 198 |
| Faster data transfer speeds | 12.63% / 84 |
| Phones will charge faster | 13.53% / 90 |
| I can share chargers with other household members | 7.22% / 48 |
Of those iPhone users that would be motivated to buy an iPhone 15 because of the integration of the new charging technology, 37% said they would do so as they will now be able to use a single charging cable across iPhones, Macs and iPads. 30% would upgrade as the USB-C would make chargers compatible with non Apple devices, 13.5% loved the idea their phones will charge faster.
Question 3
| Why will the USB C Charger NOT prompt you to buy an iPhone 15? (Tick one) | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| A new charging port will not influence my decision when upgrading my phone | 31.30% / 123 |
| I am happy to stick with my existing phone | 38.17% / 150 |
| I am more motivated by price in buying a phone | 18.83% / 74 |
| I am more motivated by other design features when i buy a phone | 9.67% / 38 |
| I only use wireless charging anyway | 2.04% / 8 |
Of the iPhone users that would not be motivated to upgrade to an iPhone 15 just because of the new charging port, the majority (38%) said they are happy to stick with their existing iPhone. This is followed by 31% who felt that a new charging port just wouldn’t be top of their priorities when choosing a new phone.
Question 4
| Do you intend to purchase an iPhone 15 when you next upgrade? | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| Yes | 66.35% / 702 |
| No | 33.65% / 356 |
Now we know how many iPhone fans are motivated to upgrade on the basis of a move to USB-C, let’s see overall if they will at some point upgrade to an iPhone 15. 66% of iPhone users said that they will be looking to upgrade to an iPhone 15. This may of course not be straight away, but at some point in the future. Interestingly, out of that 66%, 63% are swayed by the introduction of the USB-C, so this could be a huge factor in encouraging iPhone fanboys to remain loyal to their Apple iPhones.
Android Owners
Now let’s take a look at what existing Android owners feel about Apple’s move to USB-C Charging. Could the move to the more universal charging system encourage Android owners to make the move to the Apple brand? Could Apple see a whole new market of Android owners ditching their Androids to switch to Apple? Let’s see what the survey results say.
Question 1
| Will the introduction of USB-C charging motivate you to buy an iPhone 15 when you upgrade? | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| Yes | 44.38% / 454 |
| No | 55.62% / 569 |
Surprisingly, 44% of existing Android owners would be templeted to buy an iPhone 15 and make the move to an Apple iPhone on the introduction of USB-C charging. The slight majority of 56% will not be prompted to move from Android on the launch of USB-C
Question 2
| Why will the introduction of USB-C charging motivate you to buy an iPhone 15? (Tick one) | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| Customers will be able to use a single charging cable for iPhones, Macs and iPads | 26.87% / 122 |
| The phones will be compatible with chargers used by non-Apple devices | 35.46% / 161 |
| Faster data transfer speeds | 15.42% / 70 |
| Phones will charge faster | 12.33% / 56 |
| I can share chargers with other household members | 9.91% / 45 |
Out of those that answered yes, 35% of Android phone owners that would be motivated to think about buying an iPhone 15 on the introduction of USB-C, said that they would do so as the phones will be compatible with chargers by non- Apple devices. It is clear that Android fans are hugely positive about the move to USB-C as this creates more flexibility for owners to charge phones and not be tied fully into the Apple eco-system.
Question 3
| Why will the USB C Charger NOT motivate you to buy an iPhone 15? (Tick one) | |
|---|---|
| Answer Choices | Responses |
| I am happy on Android and wouldn’t switch to iPhone | 73.81% / 420 |
| Change to iPhone charging port would not influence my decision when upgrading my phone | 8.79% / 50 |
| I am happy to stick with my existing phone | 16.52% / 94 |
| I only use wireless charging anyway | 0.88% / 5 |
For those Android owners that would not be motivated to buy an iPhone 15 just because of the launch of USB-C, a resounding 74% said they are happy on Android and simply would not switch to iPhone.
Question 4
| Do you intend to purchase an iPhone 15 when you next upgrade? | Answer Choices | Responses |
|---|---|
| Yes | 34.12% / 349 |
| No | 65.88% / 674 |
Of existing Android fans 66% overall would not be buying an iPhone 15 and 34% on balance will upgrade to the iPhone 15. It seems that the move to USB-C Charging motivates 44% to think about moving, in reality 34% of these actually might do so when they do come to buy a new phone.
Summary
Apple’s rumored move to USB-C charging and the departure of their lightning cable with the iPhone 15, could be one the most historic landmarks in Apple’s timeline. The move not only will keep existing iPhone owners committed and loyal, it may also open the door to a whole new market of Android users that are happy to swing into Apple’s territory now they have relaxed their Eco- system somewhat. An unwanted move for Apple to lose their proprietary charging technology, could end up increasing their market share and attract a whole new customer base.
Methodology
SellCell, surveyed 1000+ iPhone Users and 1000+ Android Users in the USA (adults) to determine their predilection towards Apple’s rumored USB-C Charging move. No personally identifiable information was stored by SellCell. The survey was conducted through an independent research house.