Android users more loyal than iPhone says study

The headline says it all, folks. Or does it? A recent study shows that users with the little green robot on their phones are more likely to upgrade to another Android device than an iPhone user is to upgrade to another iPhone.

This may come as a surprise to some, but when you think about it, it’s not terribly surprising for many reasons. Android phones are vast in numbers, and each carrier usually has a handful of devices. Up until recently, the iPhone was only available on AT&T, and as the years went on, some may have jumped ship to another carrier and picked up an Android phone simply because they didn’t want to deal with AT&T’s service. Verizon has been the ring leader for the best Android phones out there, so someone choosing quality of service over their actual device would likely result in something like this. If you want Verizon and a good smartphone, you’re likely going to pick an Android phone.

But times are a changin’ and the Verizon iPhone is almost upon us. Many Verizon Android users are going to jump to the iPhone, when it launches, simply because that’s what they wanted in the first place. Where there was once only Android, there is now iPhone. This isn’t to say that Android users will be non-existent on Verizon after the iPhone, as their current lineup is quite nice, and future devices like the Droid Bionic and Thunderbolt are enough to make a user rethink the 3G-only iPhone 4.

But let’s not say anything we can’t take back. The iPhone is the most satisfying smartphone according to the study, and we know Apple pays close attention to the user experience to make their devices stupid-proof. In that aspect, anyone can pick one of their devices up and figure out how to use it. Android – not so much. While users will get the hang of the OS, there will likely be un-utilized aspects of the geeky OS that some will never use. That’s not a bad thing necessarily, but some may not need all that power in their hands. iOS is a powerful mobile operating system as well, but it’s much less flexible.

The loyalty behind Google’s OS will be tested in the US once the Verizon iPhone finally debuts next month, just don’t expect it to be abandoned.

[Via: Cultofmac]

About The Author

Blake Stimac

Blake was born in Beaumont, Texas, about 100 miles away from Houston. Even as a youngster, technology came to him very naturally, tinkering with anything he could. His passion of technology grew with mobile phones when he dreamed that the capabilities of phones would eventually make one's life much easier. Since then it's been his mission to advocate the push of mobile technology to anyone who will listen.

http://www.tehdik.com tehdik

Nothing beats Apple when it comes to loyal users.
http://www.facebook.com/lemuelinchrist Lemuel Chin Cantos

” there will likely be un-utilized aspects of the geeky OS that some will never use.”

This doesnt necessarily apply to Android phones only. I know iPhone users who only use their phone to make calls.

In my case, my iPhone has internet tethering which i don’t use, stock market app which i have never even opened, etc.
http://twitter.com/Varanus261 Matt Lloyd

Also here in the UK apple users normally are paying for the image/brand. ( I mean no offence to actual apple fans, just general users but it cos they’re mate got one) Average Joe consumer goes from one to the other in a sheep like fashion to whatever is popular/promoted by a sales adviser.
Anonymous

Very true. Sorry for the lack of clarification, but I was meaning in the sense of some users won’t care about personalizing their Android devices even though it’s one of great things about the OS as a whole.
Anonymous

I’d imagine you’d have to be after you spend so much money to be in their ecosystem. You may as well stay where you spent your money.
Anonymous

Nobody beats tehdik when it comes to spending money on Apple.
Anonymous

Hmmm, actually I think you’re wrong about “many” Android users leaving Android for iPhone. Sure there will be some, but many have actually come to like Android. There are some people that carry around an iPhone and also an Android phone (for when they actually need to make calls, etc) right now. If the Verizon iPhone proves to be a reliable product, I can see some of them dropping their Androids and just going with the iPhone.
http://twitter.com/TopOfMyHead Julie Marie Totsch

I agree with techloaded. I won’t ever switch to iPhone – even if Apple decides to allow Sprint to sell them. I love my Droid and I all ready have my eyes on my next Droid phone when I’m able to upgrade again.