iPhone popular among first-time smartphone buyers
Believe it or not, many new iPhone owners are not customers switching from Android, but customers who have never owned a smartphone. These first-time smartphone buyers are choosing the iPhone, especially older models, at an increasing rate, says a report in GigaOM.
According to data from Kantar Worldpanel Comtech that was given to GigaOM, an impressive 31 percent of new iPhone owners upgraded from a feature phone. This is up from the 9 percent reported in the previous year. Kantar analyst Mary-Ann Parlato told GigaOM that this large increase is due to the iPhone 4 and 4S, which are being offered for free or at discounted prices through carriers.
iOS isn't the only platform attracting first time smartphone owners, Windows Phone is doing very well with this segment of buyers. Of those who bought a new Windows Phone, 42 percent upgraded from a feature phone. This figure isn't surprising as Windows Phone is priced competitively and marketed towards new smartphone owners.
