iPhone Users Surveyed: Young, Non-Mac Owners, Want Apps

[MacRumors]

Rubicon Consulting published data from an online survey of 460 "randomly" selected iPhone users. Full PDF of results is available from Rubicon. They claim there's a 3.8% margin of error with a 90% confidence interval, but the validity of the data depends on how truly random their sampling was.

Summary of results:

- Email is the #1 function.
- iPhone increases mobile browsing with 75% of iPhone users saying it has led to more mobile browsing
- 50% of iPhone owners replaced conventional (non-smartphones) mobile phones.
- 1/3 of iPhone users carry a 2nd phone
- 1/4 of iPhone users say its displacing a notebook computer.
- 40% of iPhone users said "strongly" that they want to add new software apps.
- 40% if iPhone users said the browser has trouble with some web pages they want to visit

A few interesting graphs:


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[kcroy]

I question the validity of this survey. Would like to know more about their methods for gathering data and past experience with survey construction and implementation. Any comparisons to other data received on iPhone users? In doubt.

[Doctor Q]

1/3 of iPhone users carry a 2nd phone

Assuming this is correct, would we expect that it's a temporary phase-over for people whose old plan hasn't yet expired, and they'll eventually move to just the iPhone?

Or are there really that many people who will continue to carry 2 phones, presumably because of tradeoffs between them?

[thejadedmonkey]

Interesting with how more people strongly disagree to making it smaller then strongly agree.

[mkrishnan]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Assuming this is correct, would we expect that it's a temporary phase-over for people whose old plan hasn't yet expired, and they'll eventually move to just the iPhone?

Or are there really that many people who will continue to carry 2 phones, presumably because of tradeoffs between them?

Yeah, I question that one, too... I have two phones -- I have my Blackberry, still, but I have not turned it on since I got my iPhone working. In another week or two, I'll probably decide I'm comfortable and sell it.

When I got my BB, I kept my RAZR for a while, and occasionally used it, e.g. to avoid taking the bulky BB with me when I went out on dates, etc... but after a while, switching phones became a nuisance and I sold my RAZR.

I never really "carried" two phones.

There are people who actively use two phones, but I would be shocked if anywhere near 1/3 of all iPhone users "carry" a second phone with them.

Here's more from the PDF:

There have been anecdotal reports that some iPhone users also carry a second mobile phone for traditional voice calling, or for other functions the iPhone doesn't do well. The survey showed that two-thirds of iPhone users carry only a single phone.

Among the one-third of iPhone users who do carry another mobile phone, the RIM Blackberry was the most popular, carried by almost one iPhone user in ten. It's not clear what will happen to this statistic over time. As Apple adds Microsoft Exchange
compatibility to the iPhone, it's possible that some of the dual users will discard their Blackberries. On the other hand, the people carrying both may be doing so because they want to use the Blackberry's built-in keyboard to type messages, and Apple has
announced no plans for an iPhone with a keyboard

On the other hand, they report that 90% report replacing a phone with the iPhone... I'm not sure their respondents really understood these questions and what was meant by them.

Another interesting piece of data was that 13% of respondents reported unlocking their iPhones, and about 50% report adding applications. Although, again, it isn't clear if this means that 50% jailbroke their iPhones (skeptical) or this includes webapps....

[Rocketman]

I have said since before release we need a not nano iPhone (bigger screen). I have said since, with conviction, Apple NEEDS to offer a double size battery option, far more than offering an increased memory option.

Apple. Offer a double size battery option. Please.

Rocketman

[minik]

Seriously? They want more apps?

Carrying 2 phones, one for personal, one for work? I used to have 2 phones with me, one strictly for voice and one smartphone.

[Rocketman]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Assuming this is correct, would we expect that it's a temporary phase-over for people whose old plan hasn't yet expired, and they'll eventually move to just the iPhone?

Or are there really that many people who will continue to carry 2 phones, presumably because of tradeoffs between them?

The iPhone battery dies quickly. A traditional cellphone has longer battery life due to different usage patterns (no web), AND has a typical net cost of $10-20 per month for a light user. As compared to iPhone costs, that is in the noise.

Rocketman

[twoodcc]

interesting survey i guess. not a ton of people surveyed though

[X38]

Interesting chart on what changes people want. FWIW, I think the size & form factor are just about perfect. Thinner & lighter would always be nice, but only if it can be done without sacrificing anything else. Any thicker or heavier would be a big pain on the other hand. The length, width, & screen size are pretty much perfect - please don't change a thing. Above all, under no circumstances should any kind of keyboard or keypad be added. The virtual keyboard works like a champ and any sacrifice of screen size or any increase in size, thickness, or weight to accommodate physical buttons would be beyond stupid.

Adding third party software is definitely the number one must have change. The SDK & 2.0 sound good so far, but if I could make one little request of Apple; please, please, PLEASE add accessibility to the USB port to the SDK and let us have third party hardware options as well. I can't imagine anything else I want changed (until the day there are enough 3G towers to be worth having a 3G phone).

[stagi]

im surprised 1/4 say their phone replaces a laptop, I do like to use my iPhone for a lot of browsing but can't replace my notebook.

[ThunderSkunk]

COPY & PASTE!!!

DISK-ACCESS MODE!!!


What crackhead came up with a 12-key number pad as a top-5 desire?

[pogwilson@ntlwo]

In the UK O2 reception is so patchy I can see why some may need two phones. If this isn't solved I'll be ditching O2 as soon as my 18 months are up and going for a jailbreak solution (assuming Apple haven't cut the cord by then).

I'd like to see the iPhone integrate better with iCal; the lack of To-Do lists is painful. I'd also like to see a proper notes application that syncs with my Mac and not one tied up with email. You'd think that now the Cuppertino lot were using iCal as their time management tool things would change, but they haven't yet.

Oh yeah, cut and paste - WTF!

[mkrishnan]

Originally Posted by pogwilson@ntlwo

In the UK O2 reception is so patchy I can see why some may need two phones.

I don't think any of the iPhone users surveyed, who were all in the United States, use O2.

But so are you saying that O2 users carry another cell phone that is *not* on the O2 network? Like their backup is on Virgin or T-Mo or something? That's interesting. In the US, that occasionally happens because someone has a "strictly work" phone and a personal one, but otherwise it's usually carrying two different devices that have different functionalities but use the same provider.

[zainjetha]

I am still forced to carry my iPhone and BlackBerry cause my ICT engineer is such an idiot. He doesnt want to configure my iPhone for Exchange mail over IMAP. He configured my Mail.app on MBP to use OWA but I am going to make him enable IMAP on the Exchange Server otherwise i will fire him.. I hate having to carry BB.. its a pain in the ass.

Im surprised only 25 or 1/4 people said that it replaces a notebook..

And nobody would want it to get smaller, screen is so perfect. especially browsing in safari landscape mode.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Apple. Offer a double size battery option. Please.

And you also state you would like a larger screen... (I'd like a bigger screen too, not necessarily for carry-around use but for using in and around the home - my 'star trek tablet' is finally within sight!)

You do realize that Apple isn't holding back on higher capacity battery because it feels like it, the reason is its the biggest battery they could find (priced within reason I'm sure) that would fit into the space available.

If you really want a double-sized battery... at the moment, you're gonna have to have a thicker device or wait till more advanced battery packaging comes along.

Dave

[cyberdogl2]

Originally Posted by stagi

im surprised 1/4 say their phone replaces a laptop, I do like to use my iPhone for a lot of browsing but can't replace my notebook.

it doesnt say replace, it says displace... meaning the iphone is beginning to do some of the jobs your laptop used to do but not yet fully replacing it.

[marklight]

I want to meet some of the people who are over 70 and have iPhones... I bet they're some cool cats.

[kcroy]

Originally Posted by stagi

im surprised 1/4 say their phone replaces a laptop, I do like to use my iPhone for a lot of browsing but can't replace my notebook.

I have been surprised at how my iPhone use has replaced my MacBook. I have been on several trips lately, one for an extended period, and ALL I used was my iPhone. I had access to my laptop, but didn't want to hassle with paying for Wifi, or it was just a hassle to get out and turn on for a quick look at something. I was even on Edge most of the the time, not WiFi. Really surprised me that I used the browsing on the iPhone. Lovin' the iPhone more and more.

[7on]

Originally Posted by cyberdogl2

it doesnt say replace, it says displace... meaning the iphone is beginning to do some of the jobs your laptop used to do but not yet fully replacing it.

Yeah, I bought my WM6 phone as a Laptop displacer. Meaning I can go on short trips and not have to carry a laptop.

Once my workplace gets a wifi hotspot up here with all the executives, then I'll be able to ditch the laptop at work Which I use mostly for personal non-work stuff.

[royalsfan95b]

if you want apps jailbreak your ipod or iphone. go to ziphone.org. then hit download and follow the rest of the steps. one thing i would like in addition is more battery life. by the way jaiulbreaking it voids your warentee. i hope this helps!

[bobx2001]

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Assuming this is correct, would we expect that it's a temporary phase-over for people whose old plan hasn't yet expired, and they'll eventually move to just the iPhone?

Or are there really that many people who will continue to carry 2 phones, presumably because of tradeoffs between them?

I know a lot of people who carry two phones,, some people I know carry a phone for the purpose of putting in temp pay as you go sim card and using the free text then trashing them. However I assume that this is a thing that only younger people do (as they have the patience).

I am shocked by the number of people that want a QWERTY keyboard on he phone. It took me about two weeks to use use to the iPhone keyboard but once your used to it is very easy to type quickly and accurately.

Features i want on the iPhone would have to be:
- Ability to delete individual call records from the call log, it is pretty standard on most phone.
-Some kinda sync feature so my SMS history and call log can be backed up on my mac (possibly in mail somewhere).
- Ability to send contact details via SMS, this would be solved by having copy and paste.

[HelenAllen]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

Originally Posted by marklight

I want to meet some of the people who are over 70 and have iPhones... I bet they're some cool cats.

Here are two. I'm 71 -- and my husband, who also has an iPhone, is 84!

[AJsAWiz]

I'm really looking forward to being able to have apps (non web based and without jail breaking) on my iPhone. I hope this surfaces in June as expected

[jbomber]

Interesting article, but those graphs could use some help....