Report: Smartphones uptake limited by confused and indifferent consumers

The skyrocketing growth in smartphone sales might slow dramatically due to potential users being confused or apathetic about upgrading, according to a new research report from Analysys Mason.

The report found that 46 per cent of consumers surveyed who haven't purchased a smartphone are reluctant to do so because of the high price and lack of need for functionality they provide. The study also highlights the confusion among consumers about different cellular network generations and whether their handset will work in the future.

Analysys Mason's report is based on a survey of 7,485 consumers in six European countries and the United States. The survey covers a wide range of topics and issues related to the adoption and usage of, and attitudes towards, all telecoms services, including fixed and mobile broadband, fixed and mobile voice and TV and video services.

Martin Scott, the author of the report and a principal analyst at Analysys Mason, believes the uncertainty has been heightened following ambiguous marketing by some mobile operators and the numbering of Apple's iPhone models has resulted in nearly half of iPhone 4 users believing they are already using a 4G-capable handset.

"Consumers are, for the most part, ill-informed about what 4G is and what it enables," Scott said in a statement. "Mobile operators' ability to articulate the benefits of Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 4G to the average consumer will have a significant impact on take-up of these technologies."

For more:
- see this Analysys Mason release

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