The latest GMI Poll, conducted by global market intelligence provider GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.), found that cost is the major factor keeping most people from buying an iPhone. At the $500 price point, only 8% of respondents said they were likely to buy the iPhone, but if the price were to drop to $100, 88% said they would be more likely to buy it.

The Apple-AT&T alliance is another factor keeping people from buying the iPhone. Seven percent of respondents said they would only buy an iPhone when their current service plan expired. A full 60% said Apple’s decision to use AT&T as the sole service provider is a black mark for the iPhone, and may keep them from buying the device.

GMI interviewed 2,356 consumers, representing a broad sample of the population. The interviews were conducted online using GMI’s survey application InstantSurvey.

“Overwhelmingly, people like the iPhone,” says Chris Seals, vice president of research at RDA Global, a telecommunications consultancy based in Houston, TX. “The two problems Apple needs to worry about are the expensive price tag, and the Apple-AT&T alliance. Apple brought down the price a little, but the lack of choice in service providers is still a big problem. In another surprise, consumers said web access and the ability to take digital photos were both more desirable features than playing MP3s.”

MacDailyNews Take: On which planet exactly is a $200 price cut, a 33% reduction, bringing the price down “a little?”

The poll also revealed that 97% of respondents said the iPhone functioned well as an actual phone. 96% said they liked the display. While nearly everyone liked the iPhone, 46% said there were other phone options that were equivalent or even superior to the iPhone.

GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) is a leading provider of integrated solutions for global market intelligence for market research firms and Global 2,000 companies. Solutions include market research software, desktop analysis tools, 24x7x365 service bureau, and one of the world’s largest, highly profiled, double opted-in managed panels, providing reach to millions of consumers in more than 200 countries and territories.

Source: GMI