Apple Users Underwhelmed by iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, Survey Shows

Apple device users are largely underwhelmed by the iPhone 13 lineup and the Apple Watch Series 7, according to the findings of a new survey by SellCell.

Apple Watch 7 and iPhone 13 Boring 1
The survey asked 5,000 ‌iPhone‌ users aged 18 or over in the United States between September 23 and 30 what they thought of the recently announced ‌iPhone‌ 13 models and Apple Watch Series 7.

64 percent of users said that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup is "not very" or "not at all" exciting. 21.5 percent felt that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models are "somewhat" exciting, and only 14.4 percent said that they are "extremely" or "very exciting."

iphone 13 reaction sellcell

A minority of respondents, 23.3 percent, intend to upgrade to an ‌iPhone‌ 13 model, which is a 20.5 percent drop from a pre-launch survey conducted two months ago that put purchase intent for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 as high as 43.7 percent. This indicates a significant decline in interest around the ‌iPhone‌ 13 after it was announced.

Among the 23.3 percent that intend to upgrade to an ‌iPhone‌ 13 model, the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro is overwhelmingly the most popular pick with 42.5 percent of responses. The 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max was the next most popular with 26.3 percent, followed by the standard 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 with 22 percent.

which iphone 13 model sellcell

The 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini continues the trend of the iPhone 12 mini, with just 9.2 percent of respondents intending to buy the smallest ‌iPhone‌ 13. Apple's smallest iPhones have struggled to gain traction with a significant proportion of consumers over the past year, leading to the expectation that Apple will discontinue the 5.4-inch model size in 2022 in favor of a new, larger 6.7-inch "iPhone 14 Max" model.

Of the 23.3 percent that plan to upgrade, the main reason to do so was the ProMotion display and longer battery life for 34.1 percent and 25.3 percent of respondents, respectively. 26.2 percent said that there was no clear reason to buy an ‌iPhone‌ 13 model but they were simply due an upgrade or were locked into a yearly upgrade or trade-in program.

reason upgrading
The ‌iPhone‌ 13's camera improvements, such as larger sensors and Cinematic mode, have been among the features most heavily promoted by Apple this year, but just 5.4 percent of respondents planning to upgrade cited the camera improvements as the main reason to upgrade.

Likewise, the new 1TB storage option was only credited by 3.2 percent of users as a reason to upgrade. The much-decried notch, which finally saw a 20 percent reduction in size on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, was commended by only 1.5 percent of respondents as a main reason to upgrade.

Of the 76.8 percent of existing ‌iPhone‌ users who are not interested in buying an ‌iPhone‌ 13 model, 29.3 percent said that the lack of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner was the main factor for holding off. 19.5 percent said that there were no major features to warrant an upgrade, but other criticisms included the lack of an always-on display, a notch-free design, 120Hz on the standard models, and a USB-C port.

reason not upgrading
New color options, such as Sierra Blue and Starlight, were the main reason to upgrade for 1.1 percent of respondents. On the other hand, 2.4 percent said that dislike of the available color options was the main reason for not upgrading.

36.8 percent of those that are not planning to upgrade said that they are waiting for the iPhone 14 instead. 16.1 percent are switching to an Android device, with 45.1 percent of these users planning to buy a Google device, 41.8 percent planning to buy a Samsung device, and 8.4 percent planning to buy a OnePlus device.

iphone switchers brand
With regards to the other products that Apple announced at its California Streaming special event last month, 18.2 percent of ‌iPhone‌ users are planning to buy a new iPad following the launch of the sixth-generation iPad mini and ninth-generation ‌iPad‌.

watch series 7 purchase intent
Like the ‌iPhone‌ 13, the Apple Watch Series 7 also appears to have underwhelmed users according to the survey, despite its larger display, more durable design, and faster charging. Just 7.5 percent of ‌iPhone‌ users said that they are planning to buy an Apple Watch Series 7 model. Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 7 open on Friday, October 8.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

toobravetosave Avatar
49 months ago
I'm waiting until they drop the notch and add usb-c

the processors and cameras are already good enough for the vast majority to not care about the upgrades
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LiquidJay Avatar
49 months ago
So iPhone 13 Pro Max user here (upgraded from 12 PM) . I too was underwhelmed UNTIL I actually got the darn thing. It's AMAZING ( and reviews point the same way) Can't knock it til you try it. Not having to charge my phone ALL DAY...macro photos. ... C'mon son.


A random iphone 13 review ('//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHLghlOpUyA')(<--)



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Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tony_YYZ Avatar
49 months ago
I mean isn’t this just a matter of perspective and subjective opinions? For example with myself as an iPhone 11 user, I thought the 13 Pro was amazing and I couldn’t wait to upgrade which I did on day 1.

As a Series 5 watch owner, I’m not impressed by the Series 7 watch. But Someone who has a S0-S4 might find the S7 very enticing.

If you are someone who upgrades every year then sure these are all very incremental upgrades. That doesn’t mean they aren’t giant leaps forwards for people who upgrade every few years or so.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikeyteh Avatar
49 months ago
I'll file this one under "no ****." The iPhone 13 was such a modest update in an "S" year, it was the first time I have ever skipped an annual upgrade since the 3GS
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
49 months ago
I think the general agreement with the iPhone mini is that people want a mini pro. Small screen with the same specs as the max.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
remmy1234 Avatar
49 months ago
I’m LOVING my 13 mini. Finally have a powerful small form factor phone. I don’t have big hands and my 11 pro was simply too big. I skipped the 12 mini because I just upgraded the year prior and I didn’t think it was more powerful than the 11 pro
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)