Well the average replacement rate is approaching 3 years, so you shouldn't be too amazed.
But you should also consider that those who switch don't throw their product in the garbage. The resale value of flagship phones, particularly Apple, is really solid.
For example, Apple today sells a 3 year old model (6s) for 65% of the price of its latest model. Even if you sell it second hand, you can usually get >30% on a 3y old Apple model. You can usually get like 75% on a 1 year old model.
I know a guy who buys a new phone every year and sells his old one. Say he buys every year the latest and greatest flagship for say $1000, sells it for around $750 a year later and buys a new phone. He consistently spends about $20 a month on the latest phone. It's not as crazy as you'd think, $20 a month for the very best tech in your pocket is pretty trivial to most people on HN. The numbers may be a bit different for everyone.
But you should also consider that those who switch don't throw their product in the garbage. The resale value of flagship phones, particularly Apple, is really solid.
For example, Apple today sells a 3 year old model (6s) for 65% of the price of its latest model. Even if you sell it second hand, you can usually get >30% on a 3y old Apple model. You can usually get like 75% on a 1 year old model.
I know a guy who buys a new phone every year and sells his old one. Say he buys every year the latest and greatest flagship for say $1000, sells it for around $750 a year later and buys a new phone. He consistently spends about $20 a month on the latest phone. It's not as crazy as you'd think, $20 a month for the very best tech in your pocket is pretty trivial to most people on HN. The numbers may be a bit different for everyone.