With all the the iPhone 3G S mania, Nielsen thought it might be a good time to dig into just who the “typical” iPhone owner is, finding that they’re not just the young, early adopters one might expect. Of the roughly 6.4 million active iPhone users in the U.S., the majority (53 percent) are over 35 years old. There are even more users over the age of 55 (17 percent) than in the 18-24 year-old age bracket (13 percent).
iPhone owners are also more affluent than the typical AT&T (NYSE: T) subscriber: 40 percent have household incomes of $100,000 or more, in contrast to just 19 percent overall. (Which makes sense, since the phones and their plans cost more — but also in light of the fact that the majority of users are older and likely better off financially).
The age and income protect AT&T's over $1.5 billion in iPhone subsidies. The concern has been non-payment, and AT&T reliably reporting deactivations in quarterly reports. The demographics also show why AT&T does not feel the pressure to lower the data rate plan. The next survey needs to be whether the smartphone market is larger at the lower ages and income. The $99 price reduction creates demand, but the AT&T rate plan still favors 35 & over with $100K + household income.
Spot on Mobileeconomist, it's a wealthy man's phone plan on AT&T (maybe not so much on Claro).
Tameka, you mean it's Most iPhone Users Are Older Than YOU'D Think, the rest of us have already figured it out.
Apple computers built a strong following with this same age group in the 80s and early 90s. While the defacto for computing moved toward IBM compatibles, Apples kept its spot in the hearts and mindshare of that group. Apple's reputation and mobile computing platform brings this age group back with no regrets or compatibility concerns.