Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster just released data from their latest semiannual teen survey. Interesting read. Three things jumped out at me. In the three survey periods (Fall ’12, Spring ’13, Fall ’13):
- iPhone ownership climbed steadily (40%, 48%, 55%). Shocking numbers for a device Samsung portrays as uncool.
- Expected next phone purchase: iPhone as next phone increased (62%, 62%, 65%). Android also increased, but with a much smaller share (22%, 23%, 24%).
- On the tablet side, Android marketshare is growing (plan to buy an Android table: 16%, 24%, 28%), while iPad plus iPad Mini drops (75%, 68%, 64%). Why add iPad and iPad Mini? Seems right, since Android does not break out their numbers by form factor.
My gut reaction to the tablet numbers is that the tablet share change is due to the ongoing maturation of the tablet market. The iPad mini was not around for the first survey and Android tablet use is still finding its level, at the cost of the existing iPad. Looking forward to the next survey.
Really wish those “Android” number were split among “Kindle Fire” and “Actual Android.”
I’ve had my iPhone 5c for (almost) a couple of weeks. I was (mildly) made fun of by a stranger the other day. I was at a fast food joint, had placed my order, and while awaiting the “food” to come out I pulled out my phone. When I stepped forward to pick up the tray, the [teenager or just barely not a teenager] said, “you got a blue iPhone? Really?” (this may not have been the exact quote, my memory isn’t what it used to be, but the spirit of what she said is captured). She immediately added “I’m not an iPhone person.”
I shrugged and smiled, and she said “Well, you have a neon blue phone.” Not over-the-top scornful, but still mildly so. “It’s not neon. It’s a nice light blue.” and I smiled again, and turned around and left the counter.
It was the first time I’d had such an encounter with a real live human being, rather than on a comment thread. I’ve had coworkers that had a preference for Android, and some fun-poking has been had in both directions. And we all know everyone in the group is tech-savvy, and that our decisions aren’t made without some knowledge. But this stranger wouldn’t have known that: for all she knew I had purchased the phone because it was pretty (it is, btw). I admit I didn’t say anything to disabuse her of that.
I’d never had that kind of conversation before.
I’ve wondered when the claim chowder would be ready for all those analysts last year breathlessly proclaiming that the all-important teen segment thought Apple’s products were no longer cool. Welp, here it is.
She probably reads ZDNet.
rim shot
John Gruber and others pointed to a severe flaw in the methodology in this study though (the sample doesn’t include lower-income teens). Also, I remember when you pointed out that samsung funded a study showing them in a favorable light. Funny you fail to mention that Apple is a Piper Jaffray client as pointed out by John Moltz.