The great iPhone 'exodus'

Half of all iPhone users say they might switch carriers if given the chance — and they may soon be. Should AT&T be nervous?

iPhone users may hold onto their AT&T contracts, some say.
(Image credit: CC BY: William Hook)

With fresh rumors flying that Apple is building millions of iPhones to sell through Verizon, a survey suggests that as many as 50 percent of iPhone users might switch carriers once Apple's exclusive deal with AT&T expires. But AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson says there won't be an exodus, because 80 percent of iPhone users are committed to long-term contracts, or linked to other AT&T customers through a work or family plan they can't, or won't, abandon. Will there be a "mass exodus" of iPhone users next year?

iPhone users aren't going anywhere: People may be frustrated AT&T's dropped calls, but not many will "jump ship," says Joshua Schnell at Macgasm. It's a "giant pain" to switch cellphone carriers. Besides, two-thirds of iPhone users were already AT&T customers when Apple introduced its smartphone. The real change will come when Verizon customers start dumping their old phones for iPhones — so it's Android that ought to be concerned

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