In the ongoing competition between Apple and Google, both companies have long sought to attract smartphone users to switch from one platform to another. This rivalry has even led to the development of specialized apps to facilitate user migration. However, recent survey findings indicate a minimal shift in the user base between these two mobile operating systems.
Survey Results Show Increased iPhone Loyalty
According to the latest survey conducted by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), there has been a notable rise in the percentage of iPhone owners upgrading to newer iPhones this year. The data suggests that Apple users are increasingly satisfied with remaining within the iOS ecosystem, as the number of Android users switching to iPhones has decreased.
Decline in Android to iPhone Migration
In the quarter ending March 2026, only 12 percent of new iPhone buyers reported migrating from Android devices. This figure marks a decline from 14 percent during the same period last year and 13 percent in 2024. Additionally, only 1 percent of users upgraded from feature phones or other operating systems this year. Consequently, 87 percent of iPhone purchasers upgraded from previous iPhones, an increase from 84 percent in the prior year. This trend underscores that most smartphone users have firmly established their preferred platforms and are reluctant to switch.
High Loyalty Rates for Apple
Supporting CIRP's findings, a separate survey released by SellCell earlier this year revealed a significantly high loyalty rate for Apple in the U.S. market. Among over 5,000 surveyed smartphone users, the percentage intending to remain loyal to iPhones skyrocketed from 90.5 percent in 2019 to 96.4 percent in 2026. In contrast, Android loyalty stands at 86.4 percent this year. The data also indicates that Android users are four times more likely to switch to iOS than iPhone users are to move to Android.
Understanding Apple's Loyalty Advantage
The reasons behind Apple's strong loyalty remain somewhat unclear. Recently, Apple began supporting the RCS messaging standard, which allows for encrypted messaging and other advanced features between Android and iPhone users. However, this change appears to have had a minimal impact on brand loyalty. While Android's open platform allows users to sideload apps—a significant advantage over iOS—Google is reportedly preparing to tighten this feature, potentially diminishing Android's appeal to some users.
On the other hand, the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become a new battleground distinguishing the two platforms. Google has been quicker to integrate its Gemini assistant into Android, offering features such as automated scheduling, form filling, dictation, and web browsing automation. In contrast, Apple is just beginning to introduce similar capabilities, like visual descriptions and AI-based web search, to its virtual assistant Siri through the upcoming iOS 27 update planned for release this fall.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8580664/pengguna-iphone-makin-setia-migrasi-dari-android-menurun
