Editor’s Note: The following article is reprinted from the Today @ PC World blog at PCWorld.com.
Almost 40 percent of BlackBerry users would switch camps to an Apple iPhone, a recent study into smartphone brand loyalty shows. Google’s Nexus One is almost as desirable, according to the study by Crowd Science (PDF link), which shows that a third of the BlackBerry users polled were willing to switch their device for the Android-based phone.
BlackBerry is still the most popular smartphone brand in terms of market share, Crowd Science’s study shows, but many Research In Motion devices users would be more than happy to move to a different smartphone platform if given the chance.
The study also found that the majority of smartphone users claim to use their devices for both business and personal purposes. BlackBerry users were the most likely (7 percent) to use their smartphone for business purposes only.
Unlike BlackBerry users, though, Android and iPhone users are less willing to move to a different mobile phone platform. The study shows that nine out of ten of those questioned would re-purchase their own brand.
“Blackberry as a brand just isn’t garnering the loyalty seen with other mobile operating systems,” said Crowd Science CEO John Martin. He explains that not only the “allure of the iPhone,” but also Google Android’s rise in popularity, are creating a dent in BlackBerry’s brand following.
If the study is a reflection of most smartphone users out there, it poses an interesting question for device makers: should they dump the physical keyboards?
BlackBerry devices are well-known for their excellent keyboards, but considering that the iPhone and Nexus One feature only on-screen software keyboards, this could show users’ willingness to sacrifice typing speed for a larger screen, more suitable for media consumption while on the go.
Which smartphone would you switch to tomorrow, if given the chance? Sound off in the comments.