14 DAY TRIAL // The latest Gadgetology study from Retrevo reveals there is a lot of confusion among smartphone owners when it comes to 4G wireless technology.
In fact, there is so much confusion that a third of all iPhone 4 owners out there think they’re already wielding a 4G phone.
A consumer-oriented shopping and review site, Retrevo works up studies to keep people informed about the various developments in the mobile space.
The latest such study is about 4G adoption and the obstacles that could hinder it.
4G networks, as the tech-savvy should know, have the potential of increasing the 3G standard (2 -3 Mbps) to well over 10Mbps.
Retrevo says there are two factors that may impede 4G adoption: confusion and skepticism.
After surveying roughly 1,000 individuals online, they learned that 34% of iPhone owners mistakenly think they already have 4G.
“Maybe the ‘4’ in the iPhone 4 name gives iPhone owners (34%) the false impression that they already own a 4G phone but the fact is Apple doesn't offer a 4G phone at the moment,” says Retrevo.
They believe that “a suspiciously large percentage of Android and BlackBerry owners may be suffering from the same delusion.”
22% of people don't think 4G performance is worth the cost, according to the survey, while 30% think the 4G data plan costs too much.
40% of people say they'll buy the next iPhone, even if it doesn't have 4G.
Also, 61% of the respondents who owned an iPhone said they didn’t care if the new iPhone had 4G or not and that they’d buy, or consider buying the next iPhone regardless of 4G.
“That's good news for Apple as rumors say not to expect an Apple 4G iPhone until 2012,” Retrevo believes.
Android owners are “a loyal group”, says the company, with only 18% saying they would buy or consider buying a new iPhone, 4G or no 4G.
“On the other hand, BlackBerry owners look like potential defectors with 41% saying they'll buy a new iPhone, or consider buying one with or without 4G,” Retrevo has found.
Read through the entire study here.