Technology research services firm Gartner, Inc., US, has released the findings of a survey according to which consumers in the US are more likely to buy a smartphone in 2011 than PCs, mobile phones, e-readers, media tablets and gaming products.
According to the survey, US smartphone sales are expected to grow from 67 million units in 2010 to 95 million units in 2011. By comparison, mobile PC shipments are forecast to total 50.9 million in the US in 2011, up from 45.6 million from 2010.
In December 2010, Gartner surveyed 1,557 mobile phone users across the US, China, India, Italy, Japan and the UK about many topics, including the types of devices consumers are looking to buy within the next 12 months. A total of 256 US consumers participated in the survey. The results of this study represent the views of the respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of the online population where an online methodology was pursued, and of the total population where computer-assisted or face-to-face interviews were conducted.
Smartphones were followed by laptop computers and desktop computers in rankings of US consumers' average intent to purchase in 2011. Mobile phones ranked fourth in average intent to purchase, followed by e-book readers in the fifth position, and tablet computers ranking sixth.
Although demand is very strong at the high end of the smartphone market, Gartner analysts said vendors should not ignore the middle and lower tiers of smartphones, which will be a source of growth in 2011 as operators look for prepaid smartphones that require no subsidy.
The report 'Findings: Smartphones Top U.S. Consumers' Intended Purchases for 2011' can be found on the Gartner website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=1547927.
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