J.D. Power survey: iPhone tops in all but battery
Apple's (AAPL) iPhone took first place in J.D. Power's 2009 smartphone consumer satisfaction survey released Thursday.
The iPhone ranked highest in every category except battery life, where it was tied for last place with Motorola (MOT).
Research in Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry, by contrast, scored highest in battery life but ran with the middle of the pack in the other categories (physical design, ease of operation, features, operating system and overall satisfaction).
The survey was conducted between July and December 2008 among 2,648 smartphone users. Apple scored 791 on a scale of 1,000.
In a separate survey of 15,270 owners of traditional mobile phones, LG did best, followed closely by Sony Ericsson.
The iPhone's nearest competitors were two phones running on Microsoft's (MSFT) Windows Mobile: LG and Samsung. They were followed by HTC, running Google's (GOOG) Android. RIM, Palm (PALM) and Motorola brought up the rear.
Below: The smartphone consumer satisfaction summary. Individual scores below the fold.
I believe that another aspect of this battery life issue should be looked at, and that being the fact that the iphone is using the AT&T wireless system, which from my experiences over the years burns out all cell batteries faster as they struggle to find an acceptable signal. What Apple really needs to do is: 1. always strive to improve battery life with technology 2. move on to open the iphone up to other carriers (verizon, sprint, T-mobile, etc). I think that will improve battery life the most, being on a system that actually works.
In a falling World where princes become paupers Apple stands tall. Apples sparkling brightly in sublime quality as other once mighty and proud peers subcomb into shadows in the name of economy.
Apple, Apple, thy fairness only grows fairer in times of glory or when civilisation burns in flame.
While Rim panicks and Nokia scrambles Apple alone holds the torch of wisdom and perfection high, to carry the ideals of humanity that was the greatest gift from God our Father, reflecting our feeble attempt to do our part to contribute to the World created by God, somerhing of value regardless of mere economic concerns.
Isn't a PC person going to jump in and make fun of Apple users and our toys? I got so used to seeing that anytime an article appears here that I am almost missing it. Now that I think of it … we didn't get too many toy comments on the article that spoke about how the computer industry itself had ranked Apple at the top either.
I recommend 2 actions by Apple now, mainly targeting Rim:
1. Lengthen the usable battery life on the iPhone / iPod
2. Produce a new phone against the blackberry
There's a reason iPhone users would complain about battery life: they are the only ones constantly using their device.
Think about it. The average Blackberry user's phone spends most of it's time sitting on his hip waiting for a phone call, that is, when he's not sending or receiving a few e-mails. No battery life issues for this person.
The iPhone user, on the other hand, is surfing the web, or playing a game, or using some other app he loves, in addition to e-mailing or talking. Of course he or she is gonna run the battery down pretty quickly. Hence the poor battery life reviews.
The irony is that these are probably some of the same people who complain that Apple will not allow apps with background processes. Just imagine how poor the battery life would be then!
ped,
The category is listed as "Battery Aspects". Might this not be a concern simply over battery life per se, but rather (or additionally) lack of ease with replacing the battery?
ex ped: Could be, but in my experience iPhone owners haven't had as much cause to complain about not being able to replace the battery as they have with the battery running out too quickly.
Motorola products are good but low ranking/ ratings may be inversely proportional to the number of layoff (I assume they got their result by surveying end users – thousands of those are motorolans, motorolan's friend or family etc.
Actually, battery time is quite good if you use good battery management techniques. Basically, don't use things like 3G, Bluetooth, and Location Services until they're needed, then turn off when done.
It is true that blackberries survive only because of their long battery life (for now).
iPhone consumes a lot of power but a more powerful battery is available now and the new iPhone coming is better anyway.
The iPhone rates lower on battery primarily because people use it a lot more often, and use it frequently for things other than calling, and very frequently to access the web, which consumes more battery. If consumer usage patterns were the same for these other "smartphones", they too would see lower battery ratings.
It's interesting to watch Apple pile up awards for iPhones and Macs. And then listen to people say "Apple products are for those too dumb to use a PC."
Do they think it's a coincidence that Apple wins and PC products don't?
Is it a vast left-wing conspiracy?
Are all the technical folks in Hollywood THAT ignorant – that they don't know a PC would be better – if they could only understand how to use it?
Are people really so dumb that they just buy Apple products because they look good?
Are the people making the accusations smarter than ALL the Apple users? Really?
When something stands this far above the competition there's usually a reason.
Now I understand why Apple doesn't have a consumer replaceable battery! The aftermarket guys would be swarming all over it.
I work at a big box electronics store that sells both Mac and PC's and almost no Mac's get returned. also the other Apple products such as Ipods have a very low return rate as opposed to other low priced product that don't work as well. Apple strives for quality and user experience instead of having the cheapest price and highest volume.