New BlackBerry Not Taking Anything by 'Storm'
by Jim Woods 01/05/09
A ChangeWave survey of 3,803 cell phone owners took a close look at smartphone market trends, including consumers' reaction to Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry Storm launch, and how the device compares to the Apple (AAPL) iPhone.
The Dec. 9-15, 2008, survey was conducted just weeks after the Storm's initial release.
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The survey shows Apple enjoying another good quarter in the aftermath of its 3G iPhone release. But while RIM sales momentum has been sluggish in recent quarters, its BlackBerry product launches have unleashed a jump in consumer planned buying that suggests a full-scale battle with Apple for market supremacy in 2009.
So, are the new BlackBerry products strong enough to capitalize on the increased consumer interest?
Smartphone Market Demand
The overall growth rate for the smartphone market has contracted since our previous survey, but it's still positive despite the recessionary climate. In our most-recent survey, 12.2% of respondents said they plan to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days -- 0.3% more than the previous survey.
Current Market Share
While RIM (41%) is still the consumer market share leader, it has fallen one point since our previous survey in September, to its lowest percentage of the last 12 months.
Apple, on the other hand, has witnessed explosive growth -- up six points since September to 23%. Its overall market share has more than doubled in the past six months -- a direct result of the July release of the 3G iPhone.
Taken together, Apple and RIM now control two-thirds of the smartphone market, as smaller, weaker players, such as Palm (PALM), have proven unable to compete.
