As wireless penetration increases, the number of new wireless customers available continues to shrink. Targeting existing customers becomes increasingly important, and one likely avenue to capture them is through the introduction of exclusive handsets like the iPhone.
With the recent unveilings of potential 'iPhone killers,' including the new BlackBerry Storm and the G1 Google phone, Nielsen is pleased to provide you with iPhone 3G and smartphone statistics.
How is the iPhone 3G faring?
- AT&T ports associated with the iPhone 3G have risen for two consecutive months since the device launched on July 11
How does the iPhone 3G launch compare with the original iPhone?
- The number of customers porting into AT&T increased by 97%
between June and July 2008, reaching a level 12% higher than the
original iPhone launch in 2007
- Postpaid net adds for AT&T increased by 70% between June and July
of 2008, reaching a level 14% higher than the 2007 launch
Where has the iPhone 3G had the biggest impact?
- The launch of the iPhone 3G has had the biggest impact in San
Francisco and New York. Nielsen Mobile measured a 2-month change in
AT&T ports of 137% in San Francisco and 183% in New York for June
and July, outpacing the industry average of 113% over those same two
months.
What about the competition?
- Although Sprint launched the
Samsung Instinct (June 20) and Verizon launched the LG Dare (June 26)
as competition to the iPhone, ports into other carriers were not nearly
as dramatic as AT&T's, suggesting that competition has not
significantly affected movement toward the iPhone
- As of Q2 2008, RIM (31.1%), HTC (20.6%), and Palm (16.9%) continue to
lead the smartphone industry in market share, with Apple (12.2%)
trailing in fourth place
What is the outlook for the smartphone industry?
As of Q2 2008
- More than 26 million mobile subscribers use a smartphone device
- Smartphones represent 16% of recent mobile device acquisitions in the US
- 57% of smartphones are acquired by personal users
- 30% of smartphone users are likely to upgrade their device in the coming year