Discover the True Cost Behind Owning an iPhone
Explore a detailed breakdown of the real expenses involved in owning an iPhone, including the device price, accessories, and app purchases.
Many users often overlook the total expenses that come with owning an iPhone, beyond just the initial purchase price. This comprehensive infographic reveals the complete cost, factoring in accessories and app purchases over time.

During a trip to San Francisco, Slava @Baranskyi, editor-in-chief of Lifehacker, asked a local why he chose not to buy an iPhone. The response was that the overall cost, especially the carrier contract, was too high, even though the phone itself was reasonably priced. So, what is the actual cost of owning an iPhone?

Device Price
In many global markets, an iPhone with 16GB storage can be purchased for approximately $1200, which serves as our starting point.
Accessory Expenses
- Adapter converter from old to new charger – $29
- Adapter converter with cable – $39
- Car charger – starting at $10
- Music dock – starting at $100
- Video adapter – starting at $30
- New protective case – starting at $50
- Waterproof case – starting at $60
- Arm band for running – between $10 and $50
The average accessory cost adds up to $160, combining essentials like a car charger, music dock, and protective case. If you're a runner or own Apple TV, expect to add around $40 more.
App Purchases
Most users go beyond free apps, investing in games and productivity tools. While individual app prices may seem small, they accumulate over time.
- Average app price – $1.92
- Average game price – $1.03
App spending distribution over the past year shows:
- 30% spent $0
- 17% spent between $1 and $5
- 12% spent between $6 and $10
- 13% spent between $11 and $20
- 8% spent between $21 and $30
- 8% spent between $31 and $50
- 7% spent between $51 and $100
- 4% spent over $100
55% of iPhone owners dedicate most of their time to working with apps.
Internet Usage by iPhone Owners
- Email access – 87%
- Mobile content consumption – 94%
- Social media usage – 58%
- News reading – 80%
- Messaging apps – 44%
User Engagement Trends
- Online video viewing increased to 71%, with average daily watch time rising from 276 to 472 minutes.
- Video consumption via dedicated apps grew by 141%, from 63 to 152 minutes.
- Average gameplay time over 30 days is approximately 14.7 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Cost
Assuming an average user spends about $30 monthly on apps and games, that totals $360 annually.
Adding it all together: $1200 (device) + $160 (accessories) + $360 (apps and games) = $1720.
This represents the estimated first-year investment for owning an iPhone. In the following years, costs primarily involve app purchases and occasional accessory upgrades.
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