Sam Oliver
Already on track to capture nearly half of the smartphone market in 2014, Apple could dramatically expand the iPhone's customer base at Android's expense by adding a new model with a larger display, according to a survey released Tuesday by the investment arm of the Royal Bank of Canada.
After speaking with some 4,000 consumers, RBC Capital Markets found that of those planning to purchase a smartphone from Apple's rivals this year, 35 percent would instead choose an iPhone if they could have a display larger than the 4-inch part found on the iPhone 5 series. The numbers were revealed in a note to investors from RBC analyst Amit Daryanani, a copy of which was provided to AppleInsider.
Respondents were even willing pay extra for a jumbo 5.5-inch iPhone, with a $100 premium — bringing the subsidized cost to $299 — deemed justified for the additional screen real estate. Apple is rumored to have been exploring such an increase with its carrier partners.
Battery life, long a focal point for smartphone critics, was found to be the most important factor driving the hypothetical decision to upgrade. 33 percent of respondents listed that change first, with 23 percent choosing a larger display and 18 percent looking to processor improvements.
The traditional two-year mobile contract continues to define smartphone upgrade cycles, the survey said, though consumers are increasingly attuned to the release of new devices. 74 percent of those polled are aware of Apple's upcoming iPhone refresh, and 40 percent said that a new generation of hardware would prod them to change devices.
The latter point could prove beneficial for Apple as American wireless providers continue making moves to curb up-front handset subsidies, which are the primary reason for two-year service agreements. With no lasting contractual obligations, consumers would be free to switch to the latest and greatest at any time.
Andrew Orr
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70 Comments
I have been making that assertion for years here and certain members (usually ones with more than 2,000 posts) shouted me down and told me I was insane and a few other choice words. Nice to have actual data now to show how right I was.
I hate to say it but I see a report like this before the new iPhone comes out. I find the results are never as the report finds. What consumers say and what they do are two different things. Nearly unrelated it would seem at times.
I would probably say the percentage of people Apple will convert to iPhone from Android with the larger device will be MUCH higher than 35%.
Most people I talk to who were foolish enough to go with a large Android phone say they did so either because of the fact it was free (or heavily discounted) on contract, or because of the screen size.
While the new iPhone's won't change the minds of the cheapo's out there, those who went for size will all come clamouring back!
I think so too.
There is no logical reason for any Android owners or owners of other phones to not switch to one of the new, larger iPhone models being released. Besides having a crappy OS, Android has very little unique to offer, unless you count being the king of malware and viruses as being unique.
Apple is gonna kill it with their new iPhones.
It's going to be the most significant iPhone release ever, since the initial iPhone release.
Let's see, what would I rather own?
An Android phone, full of gimmicks and features that don't work properly and being tied into a fragmented, crappy eco system with inferior apps and second rate games that runs on a real shitty and poorly optimized OS?
Or would I rather own an iPhone, which has the best hardware and design, the best and most efficient OS, the knowledge that your phone will be supported for years to come, access to the latest and best apps and games not found elsewhere, superior Apple support should you ever need it, a great security feature called Touch ID which actually works well and so on and so on.
The choice is clear.
There are many Android people out there who are surely regretting their decisions, and a certain percentage of them will no doubt be willing to flee from the hell known as Android, as soon as they get the chance. Who doesn't want to escape from poverty?, because Android is definitely a poor man's phone.
Bigger iPhone will be easily surpassed in a month by Sammy, with a bigger phablet.
What we really need is a standardized "voice module" that governs cellular communication, and is user-swappable like a SD-card. Use the same module in your iPod, your iPad, your iBeat headset, your Macbook, MBA, iMac, television, thermostat, and automobile. Let the telecoms sell the voice module, let other companies duke it out over what hardware you put it into.
This will lead to a system where the communication follows the person, regardless of the hardware in the immediate surroundings.
Better yet, let consumers buy a "personal communicator" from the telecom of their choice, which provides cellular and wifi, which they will WEAR. Then, Apple, Sammy, etc. can sell pads, pods, computers, televisions, automibiles, whatever hardware you want, and it all connects seamlessly with your personal communicator. This way you can have and use as many of whichever products you like, and YOU will bring the communication to the device, instead of vice-versa.