Old iPads are a staple in US homes, long after they've gone obsolete
Andrew OrrMany Apple users keep their old iPads despite new releases
While nearly every user gets rid of their old iPhone when they get a new one, iPad owners are more likely to repurposes older devices for uses beyond their original intended function.
In the twelve months ending March 2024, 67% of repeat iPad buyers retained their old iPads, compared to only 41% of iPhone buyers who kept or handed down their previous iPhones. The behavior highlights unique aspects of iPad usage and customer loyalty.
Many old iPads find new life with family members or friends. Approximately one-third of old iPads are handed down, compared to about 10% of old iPhones.
The necessity of replacing old devices also differs between iPad and iPhone users. About 23% of iPad upgraders replaced their device due to loss, theft, or damage, compared to only 6% of iPhone upgraders. The new data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) suggests that iPads are less frequently replaced out of necessity, further reinforcing their longevity and usefulness.
The trend suggests that older iPads remain functional and desirable even as new models are released. For many, the need to upgrade to the latest iPad isn't as urgent, allowing the older devices to serve more roles in households.
Another critical factor is the trade-in and secondary market for iPads versus iPhones. Less than 10% of iPad upgraders trade in their old device, compared to almost half of iPhone upgraders.
The difference indicates that users value keeping their old iPads more than selling them. Moreover, the retained value and utility of old iPads often outweigh the benefits of trading them in for a small financial return.
Apple's iPad remains a versatile and valuable device long after its initial purchase. The tendency of users to keep or repurpose their old iPads highlights their lasting usefulness. Whether as a hand-me-down or a repurposed tablet, old iPads continue to find meaningful use.
William Gallagher
Malcolm Owen
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Marko Zivkovic
22 Comments
I have passed down multiple iPads to my parents/brother, both are still in use. I'm currently on the newest mini, but hoping we get an updated mini with M2(or mini pro with M4), just to be able to dock it and use it for productivity. I already do this on rare occasions, but I think stage manager is going to keep getting improvements as more and more apps are offering a full experience on iPad OS, and the mini sadly doesn't support it.
I've often thought that, as part of its deserved environmental boasting, Apple should do more to emphasize the longevity of its products' useful lifetime. (And do more to prolong that lifetime.) Of course, it goes against a business model that hopes to induce upgrades every cycle or two, but it's a fact that Apple products have much longer useable lifetimes than many non-Apple products. I'm writing this on an "Early 2014" MacBook Air, which I use as my daily computer, and I can do almost everything I want (except visit a few stubborn banking sites). Apple should embrace the truism that longevity is an environmental win and make more of it.
yes i learnt my lesson
i don't jump IOS versions anymore
i had a perfectly working ipad 2, updated ios and it could not even load the yahoo homepage
sluggish and unusable
so now i go to the latest of the iOS that came on the device
so if i had iOS 15 i go the last version of that, say 15.9
and never jump to iOS 16
ipads works for ages as they have large all day batteries
so even when they get old, they still work for many hours
great for browsing, checking sports results, streaming etc
the majority of which don't really need the latest and greatest to work
other than gaming and maybe photo/video editing you don't really need an M4 super max ultra to work
i am still using my 2ng gen ipad pro 11" works great, cuz its still on iOS 15.7.2
i use FB, instagram , some silly games, and browsing.
i rarely, if ever, need to turn on my laptop now