iPhone Demand Slips as Galaxy S3 Interest is "Red Hot"

By Zak Islam
published

iOS leads user satisfaction in terms of mobile platforms, though.

While Apple's iPhone remains the most coveted smartphone among potential consumers, Samsung is enjoying an "explosive wave of momentum" with its in-demand Galaxy S3.

451 Research's ChangeWave service surveyed more than 4,000 consumers in North America who are looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days, with half planning to purchase an iPhone. However, it represents a decrease from 71 percent it boasted during the previous quarter's survey, which was carried out as the iPhone 5 launched. Still, it represents a "solid showing" for Apple.

21 percent of prospective buyers are planning to purchase a Samsung device, representing an increase from 13 percent in September. Out of those planning to buy a Samsung handset within the next 90 days, 69 percent are interested in the Galaxy S3, with 23 percent preferring the Galaxy Note 2 phablet.

"Consumer buying intent for Samsung smartphones has been extraordinary to start the year," said Paul Carton, vice president of research for ChangeWave. "Considering the Galaxy S3 has been out for several months we'd normally expect a slowdown by now — but it's still red hot. We're also seeing strong interest in Samsung's large-screen phone — the Galaxy Note 2. Supersize smart phones are taking the industry by storm in 2013."

ChangeWave also asked current smartphone owners how satisfied they are with their device. Categorized by mobile operating systems, Apple's iOS came out on top with 71 percent of users expressing their satisfaction with the iPhone's OS.

Surprisingly, Windows Phone followed in second spot with 53 percent of users stating that they're satisfied with the platform, while Google's Android came in third with 48 percent of users; fourth-placed RIM settled for 26 percent.

Samsung's Galaxy S3 has sold over 41 million units in seven months, while the Galaxy Note 2 sold upwards of 5 million units during its first two months of availability. Samsung expects a record profit of $8.3 billion during 2012's fourth-quarter.

As for Apple, it's not such a bright outlook. As well as reports suggesting that it cut the iPhone 5's production by half, the company recently experienced its largest stock decrease in 11 months.

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Zak Islam
60 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bluekoala
    This looks about right.
    Now it's just a matter of time before the android synergy kicks in.
    Too bad for Apple; seems the iPhone 5 wasn't as perfect as it should have been.
    Reply
  • gclambert
    As it should be.
    Reply
  • vaughn2k
    Let's see what happens next quarter...
    Reply
  • The reports about a cut in iPhone demand has been seriously questioned by Forbes.

    I still don't get why people think the iPhone 5 was a disappointment, I don't own one but I still think the sum of the following is a pretty good upgrader:

    Better camera
    Bigger display
    Better display
    Slimmer
    Lighter
    Better CPU performance
    LTE
    Noise canceling tech

    I mean, what was people expecting?
    Reply
  • wavetrex
    It's just a matter of time until all apple products become again niche products, like they were before the iPod.
    It's all about software and compatibility... and Android on mobiles is like Windows on PC's 15 years ago, works on all kind of devices, all shapes and sizes, all prices, and just like windows was, it's application base keep growing and growing and working on most devices.

    Not to mention that without Steve Job's vision... I really doubt that they can come up in the near future with something really NEW, they'll just milk the same cows until they run dry.
    In a constantly weakening economy, their very expensive products will find less and less customers willing to pay that much...

    Sure, they were innovative, but everyone else caught up, with Samsung being the tip of the spear.

    Thanks for the mobile "revolution" Apple, you'll be missed. Or not.
    Reply
  • dthx
    From a hardware perspective, the iPhone 5 was an excellent phone, a nice evolution over previous iPhones, but iOS isn't evolving at all and smartphones are fashion objects as well. People just got bored of seing so many iPhones with their square icons everywhere and no doubt the same will soon happen to the Galaxy S3... it's just a matter of time.
    See what happened to Nokia, HTC,... they all have ups and downs, you can't stay forever at the top and from a customer perspective, it's nice to rediscover the product of a once big company making a comeback (Nokia Lumias) or to look at new challengers (Huwaei) ... variety is the spice of life !!!
    Reply
  • siddallj
    Gotta admit changing from Iphone to S3 was the best move ever. Android is so much better for me.
    Live data updates in Widgets, better notification system.
    Totally allows you to set up your phone how you want.
    Reply
  • icemunk
    Android is open and inclusive, Apple is closed and restrictive; it was just a matter of time.
    Reply
  • yamman101
    I couldn't help but notice the text directly under the title: 'iOS leads user satisfaction in terms of mobile platforms, though.'

    Seems about what I have come to expect from Zak Islam...
    Reply
  • Cryio
    I still don't know why everyone wants a GS3 when better phones are out there, with both Android and Windows Phone. The iPhone 5 is about the equivalent of SG3, so a switch to that one won't be taken in consideration to anyone.
    Reply