Survey: iPhone will be a 'monster'

Apple's forthcoming cellular handset, internet browser, and widescreen iPod dubbed 'iPhone' which the company unveiled in January is likely to explode onto the scene, according to a new survey. ChangeWave Research conducted a study of tech-savvy professionals which points to high demand for the device, with about one in 10 respondents (or 9 percent) saying they are likely to purchase the iPhone once it becomes available. Another 7 percent said they will likely purchase the device as a gift for someone else. "That's huge," ChangeWave founder Tobin Smith said. "This is going to be a monster." The survey points to a far faster adoption rate than the industry average for consumer electronics products, and Smith suspects that Apple will exceed its sales goals if the iPhone's performance lives up to consumer expectations.

The survey further suggests that Apple will experience a surge in demand once the iPhone comes down in price, with 10 percent of consumers who weren't interested in obtaining an iPhone immediately saying they would consider purchasing a 4GB model and 20 percent saying they would consider purchasing the 8GB model if the price fell to between $200-$299.

ChangeWave surveyed almost 3,500 people between April 4-10th, and most respondents were members of a 10,000-strong group of business, technology, and medical professionals known as the ChangeWave Alliance who work on the front line of technological change.

Likely iPhone buyers cited overall integration of iPod, cellular phone functionality, the built-in 2-megapixel digital camera, and email/internet capability as the device's top selling point. Other respondents mentioned innovative features like the 3.5-inch touch-screen display and Apple's brand reputation as primary selling points.

Some 79 percent of likely buyers said they would abandon their existing wireless carrier to adopt the iPhone, switching to AT&T in order to use the new device. Roughly 9 percent said they would use the iPhone in addition to their current phone, with the rest of respondents reporting uncertainty.

Among respondents not likely to purchase Apple's cellular handset, satisfaction with current cellular devices ranked as the primary reason cited for staying put. About 55 percent of respondents saw no need to switch as their existing cellular phone is sufficient for their usage, and another 28 percent believe the new device is too pricey.

Apple is expected to ship the iPhone in late June, and has diverted much of its resources toward meeting that goal which resulted in delaying the launch of its Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system.