Retrevo shows high number of converts to iPhone 4S

As many as a quarter of BlackBerry owners might jump ship to the iPhone 4S, Retrevo found in a small but substantial study. While lower than it has been in the past, a high 24 percent of BlackBerry owners plan to make the leap. Android users were unsurprisingly more loyal, with just 12 percent considering the switch.

The look did suggest that Apple wouldn't have the trouble some thought it might in persuading those with older phones to buy in. Although most expect iPhone 3GS owners to be the most eager, iPhone 4 owners are nearly as eager to upgrade at 42 percent versus the 44 percent of those with older iPhones.

About 24 percent of the entire smartphone-owning responders planned to get an iPhone 4S, with 26 percent still undecided. Most were happy with how it turned out, although the top complaint was a lack of 3G: 17 percent of the total group and 29 percent of iPhone 4 owners wanted LTE or another major leap beyond the 14.4Mbps Apple was offering. Hopes for a cosmetic makeover and a larger screen factored into their decisions.

As many as 18 percent of those committed to getting one planned to queue up. Another 53 percent didn't think they would have an issue getting one on their own schedule despite Apple historically facing weeks or even months-long shortages with each new model.

The study hinted that there might be slightly more cautious reaction to the iPhone 4S, but also that there wasn't any danger of a poor turnout. Retrevo's poll isn't completely reflective of the market as it covered about 1,300 respondents and might vary among those who didn't volunteer.

By Electronista Staff