A new study finds that iPhone owners are the most loyal smartphone users, and names customers’ personal investments in Apple’s ecosystem as driving an over 80% maintenance rate for the device.
A report released on Friday by research firm GfK on Thursday shows that 84% of existing iPhone owner’s idea to purchase a new apple handset while they replace their handset, as per said thing by many of smartphone users ecosystem of a mobile OS is a defining factor when upgrading, according to Reuters.
As per the study conducted by GfK over 4,500 interviews of smartphone owners in France, Britain, Germany, Spain, China, Italy, Brazil, Japan and U.S outcome that the iPhone had the utmost retention of customers, followed by device running Google's Android OS and RIM's BlackBerry, with 60% and 48% respectively.
Ryan Garner, GfK analyst summaries that an average 63% of defendants plan to replace their current device with one running the same OS, let down the possibility of quick market swing. He goes on to say that the more features and services used by customer in a particular mobile OS environment, the more imbedded the user becomes. Nearly one out of five owners of both an iPad and iPhone believe that switching to another OS is more difficult than changing bank accounts, or gas or electricity providers.
According to 70% of consumer’s reports features and seamless access to content are major factors in staying with their current mobile OS; the push for a value-added ecosystem is becoming a greater priority for the industry.
Apple's iCloud and iTunes are examples of creating an experience that customers not only enjoy, but cite as a reason to stay with the iOS platform due to financial and personal investments.
Apple's iCloud and iTunes are examples of creating an experience that customers not only enjoy, but cite as a reason to stay with the iOS platform due to financial and personal investments.
As per the study respondents cited three main arguments concerning user experience as difficulties to switching devices; 33% being too invested in app and current phone setup to change, 29% requesting for gridlines on how to operate a new device is a detriment and 28% perceives moving digital content from one smartphone to another as too much of a hassle.
However, device simplicity and integration with a digital world of content are not the only factors in choosing to stay with a device. Cross-platform access to already purchased media or apps is also seen as a driving force for some users.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of smartphone owners feel that it is important to access to their digital libraries across multiple platforms, with the figure jumping to 80% for users who also own tablets and PCs. In this case, Apple's walled-in iTunes system becomes a negative aspect to the overall Apple environment as all apps and much of the media purchased through the service can only be used on iOS devices.
China, seen by many as the most important developing mobile market for Apple, places the greatest importance on cross-platform access with 92% of respondents emphasizing the need for media to be compatible across all devices.
China, seen by many as the most important developing mobile market for Apple, places the greatest importance on cross-platform access with 92% of respondents emphasizing the need for media to be compatible across all devices.
A report suggests there is high demand for the iPhone in China, with the newest iPhone 4S reportedly set to go on sale within two weeks after recently being approved for sale.
Garner notes the sum of the findings, from user experience to cross-platform media access, points to success for the manufacturer or OS developer that can most quickly attract users with a new and easy to use mobile platform.
