Mobile-phone users in the United States are incrementally more satisfied with the operation of their handsets than in the past, suggesting that vendors in general are improving user interfaces, according to a study released by J.D. Power and Associates.
Sanyo Electronics Co. Ltd. received the highest overall ranking among handset vendors. The company’s rating came from success in five factors: physical design, operation, features, durability and battery function. LG Electronics Co. Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. also were rated above the industry average. Nokia Corp. and Motorola Inc., by far the largest handset vendors in the world, scored just below the industry average for overall user satisfaction. Kyocera Wireless Corp. ranked lowest among the eight brands included.
The uptick in overall consumer satisfaction specifically related to ease of use in terms of navigation, clarity of text on the screen and out-of-box operations.
The study also found that clamshell designs have become consumers’ design of choice, surging from 7 percent of the market in 2002 to 58 percent in 2006. Meanwhile, candy bar form factors have plunged from 70 percent of the market in 2002 to 39 percent this year. Average purchase prices have dropped to $86 this year, down from $99 two years ago. Americans still change phones just less than every 18 months. The most-used features on the phone are speakerphone, text messaging, camera and gaming, in descending order.
The J.D. Power findings are based on experiences reported in October 2005 and February 2006 by more than 18,000 wireless users who’ve owned their handset less than two years. RCR
