Android phones 'top with consumers'
pa.press.net
Apr 06 2011
Android-based phones, such as the HTC Legend, have edged out the iPhone to become the UK's most popular smartphone
Android phones have edged out the iPhone to become the most popular smartphone in the UK, according to new research.
Android phones have edged out the iPhone to become the most popular smartphone in the UK, according to new research.
Some 28% of smartphone users own an Android, with 26% using an iPhone and 14% a BlackBerry, the study for digital banking provider Intelligent Environments found.
More than four million British people over 18 years old own an Android - and it is popular with both young professionals and older people.
More than a third (36%) of those aged 25-34 who are smartphone owners use an Android phone, and a quarter (25%) of retired people who own a smartphone use an Android phone.
Android users are most likely to spend time mapping and planning travel - 34% rate this in the top three "apps" they spend the most time using, compared with BlackBerry and Apple (both 28%).
iPhone customers are the heaviest smartphone users - 18% spend more than four hours on their phone each day, compared with just 4% of Android and BlackBerry users.
Some 63% of iPhone users rank social networking and 48% games in their top three apps.
Nearly one fifth (18%) admit that their main bank account is always overdrawn, compared with an average 12% of all Britons.
James Richards, director of mobile at Intelligent Environments, said: "The top three mobile platforms in the UK certainly seem to attract different personalities. It's fair to say that iPhone and BlackBerry have strong identities but given that Android is on a number of handsets, we are clearly seeing more of a mixed user base.
"Perhaps we will see the telecoms industry of the future tailoring their apps and services further to suit the variety of demands being placed on the mobile."