Interesting data from Kantar WorldPanel reveals that the average U.S. smartphone owner will hold on to his device for 22 months before upgrading to a new model. It almost seems like American smartphone users are still brainwashed to trade in their phone every two years, the length of the typical smartphone contract. Of course, most carriers are doing away with subsidized phone sales, including Verizon, the largest mobile carrier in the country.
It will be interesting to see if the end of two-year contracts and early upgrade plans like T-Mobile JUMP on Demand (which allows for as many as three upgrades in a year) lowers that 22 month figure dramatically in the months and years to come. Some equipment installment plans are still based on 20 to 24 monthly payments, so keeping a phone for about two years could remain the average for some time yet.
