The Q1 2012 results posted by Apple were very promising, Apple stacked up a revenue of nearly $46.33 billion in this quarter alone which was quite phenomenal and driven by iPhone majorly. But surprisingly a research conducted by NPD group says first time smartphone buyers prefer an Android phone to iPhone. Though Apple could outsell each and every smartphone in US nearly to a ratio of 5:1 even with the best selling competition, the numbers still add up against iPhone.
The total number of iPhones being sold last quarter in US to first time smartphone buyers comprise only 34% against a 57% for android. Though the numbers speak against iPhone, it still isn’t a threat in anyway. We have to consider the fact that iPhone is competing hundreds of Android phones offered across various carriers in the US.
Another interesting aspect noted by NPD group is that iPhone still has 43% smartphone market share compared to 48% market share for Android phones in the US. This proves loyalty and customer retaining factor for iPhone is better when compared to Android phones. First time android phone users might find the various options provided by Android OEMs to be attractive, but then the repeated complaints we hear about inconsistencies with the platform might drive them to an iPhone later on.
We would still say Apple is doing a overwhelming job by capturing 43% of the smartphone market with just three devices, the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 4 and the old horse iPhone 3GS, all three of them beating every other smartphone in the market with respect to sales.