A September 14-21 survey by ChangeWave Research provides an up-close look at the impact of the new Apple and Palm (Pre) offerings – along with an update on Research In Motion and overall smart phone industry trends going forward.
The survey of 4,255 consumers shows strong growth continues in the smart phone market, with 39% of respondents now reporting they own a smart phone – up 2-pts since June and nearly double the level of two years ago.
Looking ahead, while the current survey shows a slight dip in consumer buying plans for the next 90 days, that’s to be expected in the aftermath of the huge iPhone 3GS and Palm Pre product launches back in June. A total of 11.6% now say they plan on buying a smart phone in the next 90 days – 3-pts less than in June but still one of the highest percentages ever recorded in a ChangeWave survey.
Current Market Share: RIM (40%) remains the current market share leader among consumers, but its fallen 1-pt since the previous survey and is at its lowest level in two years.
Apple (30%) has seen a huge market share jump since the previous survey. Not only has the iPhone 3GS release enabled them to gain 5-pts overall – for the first time it has also placed them within striking distance of the number one spot in the consumer market.
Palm (7%) lags in distant third place, but ChangeWave notes that this is the first survey in nearly two years where their share hasn’t fallen.
Apple remains the leader in terms of planned buying going forward — 36% of those who plan to purchase a smart phone in the next 90 days say they’ll get an iPhone. RIM is still in second with 27% of planned purchases — up 4-pts since June, but below its percentage (30%) from a year ago. Palm, meanwhile, remains unchanged at 8%.
The Apple iPhone continues to maintain the highest customer satisfaction rating in the industry among major cell phone manufacturers — with 74% of owners reporting they’re Very Satisfied with their iPhone.
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