Most American cell phone buyers still say fancy features are not so important when they choose a cell phone. According to a new survey from Wirefly, cell phone buyers' main reason in selecting a phone are for reasons other than having the hottest features.
3 out of 5 consumers (64 percent) are less concerned with high-tech features than they are with the basic form factors, such as the size and color of the phone
The following factors take precedence over cutting-edge technology features:
- SIZE & FORM - 59% cite size and form of the device as most important.
- COLOR - 16% cite device color as most important.
- OTHER - 25% cite "other" factors as most important, including ease of use, size of the keypad, the need for a large display screen, and affordability.
Wirefly offers so many full-featured smartphones such as the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for free during their sales and special promotions, price has to be another big factor in purchase decisions. Yes, people find the look and the size and color important, but price must also be considered. Free super-powered and featured smartphones are very inviting, in our opinion. Wirefly always offers Free FedEx
The buyers' stated preferences do not necessarily match their purchase behaviors. A majority of respondents purchased cell phones with photo, video streaming, web browser/email and music player capabilities, but only a fraction consider them to be necessities and some report never using these features
- CAMERA - 94% of buyers choose a camera phone, despite only 25% considering a built-in camera a requirement;
- MUSIC - 71% of respondents purchased a device with a music player. However, only 11% report using their phone as their primary portable music player and only 5% cite this as a 'must-have' feature;
- WEB BROWSER/EMAIL - 64% purchased a device with full web browser/email, even though 46% never use the function and only 15% cite this as a necessary feature;
- GAMING - 47% purchased a device with gaming capabilities, though 58% have never played;
- VIDEO STREAMING - 51% of those who purchased a device with video streaming support have never used their phone to watch one.
Age plays a part in determining the importance of cell phone features.
- Fifty-seven percent of survey respondents 50 years and older claim to only use their phone for calls.
- 5 percent of respondents 24 years and younger only use the phone for calling.
- Users most engaged in "enhanced" applications tend to be in the 31-40 age range.
- The
31-40 technology-embracing group uses their phones to listen to music,
check email, and have used GPS on their phone more than their
counterparts.
- The 24-30 age range is most likely to watch videos and play games on their phone at least weekly.
Wirefly surveyed 2,391 Americans, age 18 and older; who recently bought a cell phone, and asked them what factors influenced their purchase decisions.
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