GfK shows iPhone users 84pc likely to return

iPhone users are still very likely to remain loyal to the platform even with stepped up competition, GfK determined in a new study. Scanning the US, Brazil, China, Japan, and the largest five countries in Europe, it found that 84 percent of those who'd bought into Apple's ecosystem planned to buy another iPhone with their next upgrade. Only 60 percent of Android users anticipated the same, suggesting that a small but significant number would jump ship.

RIM faced the darkest situation. Just 48 percent of BlackBerry owners expected to return, leaving it likely that RIM was still poised to lose followers until at least until the London arrives sometime next year.

The data pointed to most Android adopters coming from the BlackBerry or another platform, not the iPhone. Overall loyatly also posed a significant problem for Microsoft, which has been trying to get users to reevaluate their expectations. While it had some room to maneuver, 63 percent overall had no intention of changing platforms, leaving it a small set of existing users to convert.

Those who could make the "most harmonious user experience" and foster loyalty were the ones most likely to win, the researchers said.

Room exists for change. Nokia's deal with Microsoft is poised to boost Windows Phone's stance, and Android if it continues to grow quickly could upset the dynamics of the market. Outside of the study, the full effect has yet to be seen of the iPhone 4S reaching Sprint, KDDI, and other carriers where Android had either been the only real choice or was growing.

By Electronista Staff