Apple and OnePlus smartphones lead in terms of user interest in their new edition launches of flagship models, finds Techarc study

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Apple iPhone (number series) and OnePlus (number series) respectively lead in segments by OS, which is iOS and Android respectively.

Gurugram – In a user insights study announced today by Techarc, the top 10 smartphone models where consumers show interest in following the launch of their new editions were revealed.  The survey was conducted among 1500 smartphone users who have been using a smartphone for at least 5 years.

Apple’s iPhone, which not only continues to enjoy the status of being an aspirational brand in the industry, topped the chart where 79% of the respondents said that they eagerly look forward to the new edition launch of its main flagship smartphone series.  Presently, iPhone 14 series is the latest edition available in the market.

Within android ecosystem, where several smartphone OEMs license the OS from Google, premium smartphone maker OnePlus topped the list, securing 2nd position in the overall list.  71% of the respondents said that they look forward to OnePlus flagship number series launches.  At the moment, OnePlus 11 series is the latest edition available for purchase.

Interestingly, Google’s Pixel smartphone, which has not been yet impressive in terms of sales, is in the top 10 smartphones that consumers watch out for.  With this high interest about Pixel among users, the brand now needs to work on strategies to capitalise on it to get more sales.

Commenting on the findings, Faisal Kawoosa, Chief Analyst & Founder of Techarc said, “It is interesting to note that users recognise brands with a particular series by way of closely following the launch of its latest edition.  On a close analysis of the pattern, one can see how consumers are associating these brands with particular price segments.”

“This means, while a brand may have several series to target different user cohorts, customers have their own mapping and recognise these brands in entry, mid, premium and luxe segments respectively depending on the series catering to a particular segment,” concluded Faisal.

In terms of expectations from these new editions, consumers want them to show fast and improved performance making processor an important decision for OEMs to select.  The chipset (processor / soc) is the key component defining the performance of a device.  91% of the respondents expect the new editions to offer fast and improved performance than the predecessor model. 

Other expectations that users have from new editions of the smartphone models include new features and innovations (87%), better and higher specifications (76%) and improved design and build quality (51%).

Coming to specifics, consumers expect the new editions to have display refresh rate of at least 120 Hz in the premium and luxe segments, while 90Hz in the mid and basic segments.  Similarly, consumers in premium and luxe segments expect these new smartphones to support WiFi 6.  Audio enhancement is seen as another important rising expectation from the consumers who expect the new editions to have some kind of audio enhancement to complement the immersive viewing offered by high-spec displays provided in these smartphones.

Apart from these in the premium and luxe segments, consumers expect new editions of their favourite smartphones to have e-sims, wireless charging and IP67 rating for water and dust protection. 

The consumers do expect the new edition to be pricier than the existing model.  While 4% of the respondents expect that the price of new edition should remain same, majority (37%) of the respondents expect OEMs to price new editions of the model in the range of 5-10% more than the existing version.

To get a copy of the report please write to Research@techarc.net