It appears the wave of early disappointment in the iPhone 4S that washed over U.S. consumers has now made it to the United Kingdom. A third of UK consumers were “disappointed” Apple’s new handset didn’t offer more features, according to an Internet survey.
The survey of 1,500 consumers shopping for a smartphone weeks after the iPhone 4S was introduced found just 29 percent of respondents said they would buy the Apple smartphone. Of that group, 48 percent was interested in a BlackBerry, while 37 percent said they were thinking of buying an Android device.
Of the third of respondents to the survey by U.K. site MyVoucherCodes, a whopping 64 percent said they had wanted the device to have more features. At the same time, just 29 percent of UK consumers asked were itching for a complete redesign – in other words an iPhone 5. However, survey participants were big fans of the Siri voice-recognition system, as well as the improved camera.
It’s unknown how this disappointment will affect sales. In the U.S., the iPhone 4S sold 4 million units in just the first three days. AT&T has said the 4S was a strong seller and financial analysts quickly removed any doubt where Wall Street stands, emphasizing the iPhone 4S’s late launch should mean record sales for Apple’s 2012 first quarter.
What is clear from the iPhone 4S is that the hype machine can sometimes get out of control. In a physical sense, all the chatter about the supposed iPhone 5 set the stage for a let-down akin to a person pumped full of adrenaline who is ready for something amazing, but gets only a smartphone that is just really, really cool.
Ed Sutherland is a veteran technology journalist who first heard of Apple when they grew on trees, Yahoo was run out of a Stanford dorm and Google was an unknown upstart. Since then, Sutherland has covered the whole technology landscape, concentrating on tracking the trends and figuring out the finances of large (and small) technology companies.
121 responses to “UK Consumers ‘Disappointed’ With iPhone 4S [Survey]”
Not sure where you’re going with this article.. iPhone 4S has seen the strongest 1st month sales numbers an iPhone has had to date. I would hardly say (along with many others) that the 4S was a disappointment.
“According to an internet survey” This is what you are posting on Cult of Mac? WTF has happened to Cult of Mac today. Did someone from Google or Microsoft just buy the site and now all we are going to get is complete bullshit articles that go negative on Apple?
“According to an internet survey”? Really?!?!
How about some details? MyVoucherCodes doesn’t sound like the most reliable research institution. Who was given this survey? Was it online?
This is useless information without more details.
“According to an internet survey”
I think this was pulled from someone’s ass
Really .. there is not a Blackberry in their lineup that can compete with the I-Phone or Android for that matter .. I doubt the validity of this survey.
I would be willing to bet that the numbers in a few months will show Blackberry hemorrhaging users, I would be one of them dumping my piece of junk storm for the 4S.
I am ecstatic about the features in the 4S and ecstatic about the fact that I can actually use the internet and apps easily … not to mention I don’t have to do 4 battery pulls a day and wait for the phone to reboot for 10 minutes each time like I had to do with my Blackberry (My 4th Storm, as the first 3 had to be replaced)
Terrible link bait article. Shame on me for biting.
i’m sick of the complaints about any new technology… we are so spoiled. Even the original is amazing! Just be happy with any device you use and stop complaining!
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The “hype” is pushed by Apple haters who want to see America’s favorite brand fail.
The Daily Mail? Seriously? using an “Internet survey”????
I think Cultofmac is Apple Hater. Do you get paid from other competitors to post this sh*t?
Cultofmac you disappointed me. I’m no longer your reader. Goodbye! Ur articles absolutely SUX!
I’ve read similar things on a few sites but I don’t buy into any of it really. From what I’ve seen on various forums and related websites, most people are really pleased with their iPhone 4S. As soon as people get over the fact that it’s not an iPhone 5 with a 4.5″ curved screen and various other features (which they got from the ‘over the top’ rumour sites) they’ll see how good the iPhone 4S really is.
“Of that group, 48 percent was interested in a BlackBerry”
Seriously? Blackberry? That alone makes me doubt the validity of this “survey”.
I don’t know what “features” they want added to the iPhone. Maybe I’m in the dark here but what features does a Blackberry have that the iPhone doesn’t?
I’m in the UK and I was disappointed with the iPhone 4S. Talking to my friends and reading the tech forums I get the sense that a lot of other people were disappointed to. Sadly this a major problem with this and most of the other “Apple Fanboy” websites – you’re vilified if you even attempt any form of objective criticism. This is what it must be like to live in a dictatorship like China were only one viewpoint is acceptable.
They sold more units at launch because it’s available in more countries and on more networks than the previous model. Apple carefully manage it so that they can show increasing sales with each new model to keep momentum. It’s clever product/brand management and marketing.
Horrible article and if you guys don’t stop with this type of crap, I’ll erase your link from my check each day list….. “According to an Internet Survey?” Usless noise here…
Honestly, if Apple had done a different casing, people would have been all over it.
The iPhone 4S looks great, did it really need a redesign just yet?
While that may be true. It also broke records at AT&T, the iPhone’s first carrier.
If the iPhone 4S was such a flop, why can’t i get my hands on one for another couple of weeks. I think if Apple would have branded it the iPhone 5, there would be a lot less of these so called disappointments.
BB is very popular with the youth in the UK. Those crazy limey bastards.
How about doing a survey that matches the Headline?
Try asking 100 people who purchased an iPhone 4s how satisfied they are with their purchase?
The third of U.K. consumers who were disappointed have most likely never owned an iPhone so it is irrelevant.
Either that or try to think up a headline that actually fits the story.
So these folks are using 100% of all the features of iPhone 4S & iCloud & iOS5
so what were you disappointed with? what were your friends disappointed with? where is your objective criticism? WHAT IS YOUR POINT?
I still have the iPhone 4, my next move is the iPhone 5. Voice and camera feature are not quite enough…
“what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
yep, I live in the UK and there are a few things here. First we are being taxed heavily and also high amounts of unemployment. Secondly the cheapest iPhone 4S is £500 or $800 which kids just can’t afford, the blackberry being £139 or $220. Thirdly the Blackberry has sort of become a cult phone with teenagers. The iPhone is so popular with adults that it isn’t rebel enough.
I’d just like to add though, 29% want the iPhone. I think that is quite a healthy number. Much higher than market share in the UK for the iphone
I’m really in the dark as well about what features are people wanting and thought would be in the new phone ? There are those complaining about them yet not saying what it was they wanted.
My guess is they wanted a new design on the outside as a feature. Most, if not all of the people I actually talk to had no clue about the bump in specs on the inside of the phone or the new features that were added. They only saw the iPhone4 design and said it was a fail. No further research was necessary. It looked the same therefore it must be the same. People so soon forget the 3G-3GS upgrade. Hell, these were people with a 3G saying they were disappointed.
Yeah I know, it really doesn’t matter what the phone is or can do it is all about the looks now. It’s about that instant recognition that I have the latest and greatest without having to say it. Just admit it.
I see. Interesting. Here the iPhone costs $200 (16 GB) for the 4S or $100 for the iPhone 4 (with contract) so while it’s not cheap, it’s what I would consider affordable. Although I don’t know whether that is affordable with kids… Anyways, I guess that kind of makes sense. I feel bad for Blackberry. I grew up in Canada not far from their headquarters and I would really like to see them succeed but I feel like they’re way behind the curve now. Interesting that they still have a few niche markets though.
It’s the chavvy youth that use bb due to bbm being free. They use it as a free alternative to SMS to arrange muggings, riots, etc. I remember when bb was high end, these days, in the uk at least they’re scraping the bottom of the barrell
Are you a complete retard? This site is soo pro Apple it hurts, hence the name perhaps?!?
Go away idiot
not keen on the male voice on the UK version of Siri,I would have liked the option to choose between male or female.
I still wish people would stop referring to next years iPhone as the “iPhone 5”, saying things like “I’ll leave the 4S, keep my 4, and wait for the 5 next year”. There won’t be a 5 next year, because the iPhone 4S is the FIFTH generation iPhone, just like the iPhone 3G was the second generation iPhone, yet some silly folk think the 3G means third generation.
The next iPhone, which will be a redesign, will be the iPhone 6. The only question I’m interested in is whether the iPhone launch cycle has moved from WWDC for good, and if the iPhone and iPod events have become merged. Or, was WWDC iPhone hardware free this year, simply because of iOS 5, Lion, and iCloud being unveiled?
people like apple products because they are slim and sexy the iphone 4s is not the slimmest phone and its shape is boring and in my mind kinda ugly and old looking(i know many disagree). I would rather have a ipod 2g or 3g(4g to thin for me) shape than an iphone 4s it just feel better in my hands. Also i think siri is stupid and i would never use it and if it gets pushed to my ipad 2 without me being able to stop it i will be pissed.
Wrong they could of called it the iphone 4s and and had new phone shape and everything would be fine. It’s not the os average people dont like its the design its old.
yes i love the ipod 2g/3g shape(4g is to small) but not the iphone 4/4s. i’m just one person but i think many feel this way. (also screen size being bigger and i might of bought it)
Choose American for the Female Voice in the settings. I’m english but prefer the Female voice :) even if it is American ;)
I am in the UK and I am not disappointed with the 4s because I knew what I was getting before I brought it. I do have a problem with the yellow tint however but that is a separate issue. If people are disappointed then they should do there research because Apple never claimed anything untrue or plumped up the specs for release, they are not like other manufacturers claiming to be the best company on the planet, they ARE the best computer company ever!
Yeah I know it’s dying quickly in the US and probably most places but in a weird way which I don’t understand it’s a bit of an iconic phone here. Still it’s better than Android I guess :)
how much per month is that contract for the $200 iPhone 4S?
I’m torn on a bigger screen. If the iPhone screen gets bigger, it’ll be harder to use with one hand. It’s just another thing I really hate about many Android phones, they’re all going with 4 inch or larger screens. It really doesn’t provide much more than an annoyance when trying to use your phone with one hand.
As for the design, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder. The iPhone 4 was a really unique design, but I absolutely love it.
Only reason I’m not getting a 4S is that my upgrade will be halfway between release cycles, might as well wait for the next one at that point.
morron
you are a moron
What people say, and what they do, are two things that are usually at opposite ends of a spectrum.
so i’m a morron for not like shape of a phone and not wanting to talk to a object that is not real yeah ur real cool
ok mr. fanboy
meanwhile the other 95% of folks in the UK, none of whom where asked to be a part of this little survey, are all at home enjoying their new iPhone 4s.
nope. cause if they called it the iPhone 5 folks would have said it was a paltry update and should be called a 4s cause it’s not a ‘new’ iPhone
A feature on your phone doesn’t mean you have to talk to it. You can choose whether or not you want to do that. I believe the iPhone still is the slimmest smartphone?
UGLY?!?! I don’t know how you can call a machined aluminium and glass phone can be called ugly. Siri doesn’t work great in the UK but to call is stupid is extremely ignorant.
My voucher codes is a place where you go to get discounted pizza and things like that. So I don’t think they’re Apples ideal target market. Hence why Blackberry are popular. Both myself and my missus have iPhone 4S after upgrading from the 4. Both of us also HAVE to have a Blackberry through work (because it’s cheap) and both of us NEVER use the damn things!
I’m a bit disappointed with Siri. It doesnt work fully in the UK as yet. Could be good.
I’m in the UK and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new 4s!
Also, disappointed it doesn’t have more features? What features do they want? I bet you they couldn’t name a single one.
This is what happens when our beloved Apple gets into the hands of non tech and/or non creative folks. They see amazing innovation and then get annoyed when the new phone can’t make a cup of tea or transport you to Rigel IV.
The only thing extra I really want on this gorgeous device is full Siri functionality, although a cup of tea would be nice…
I think your comment just proved my point – criticise the iPhone 4S and your vilified with stupid comments like yours. I didn’t say the iPhone 4S was a bad phone or that it wouldn’t sell. I’m sure it will prove very popular. I just don’t like it. I don’t like the design, the way it feels in the hand, the glass back, the small 3.5 screen. I much prefer the 3GS design which is why I’m going to hang on and see what the iPhone 5 looks like before I consider upgrading.
My comments are a subjective viewpoint not an objective criticism. What can I say if I don’t like something I don’t like it. I’m sure the iPhone 4S is a great phone – it’s just not for me. I was hoping for an all new design with a larger screen.
Don’t like Siri, turn it off and don’t bother with it.
I would assume that the Fall date is THE date from now on. The iPods just don’t have enough bang to kick off the fiscal year and that is more likely the reason for the move.
As for the name of the phone, who knows what they will call it. It could be the iPhone 6, the iPhone LTE or some other term. On the redesign issue, don’t count on it. It is possible that Apple might feel they have found the perfect design so they will remain this glass form for life at this point.
Sorry but you would be the one that is wrong. Especially of late with all the hyperbolic article headlines like this one, the review calling Steve Jobs the biggest asshole in the world etc.
This site is pro page hits posing as pro Apple. They whore out and post whatever they think will draw folks to earn them ad money by loading the page. If that means anti Apple stuff, Leander is all for it.
Leander sold out to the Cult of Page Hits
ty for not being a fanboy and thinking for ur self. the reason i want is bigger screen is for surfing web and playing games and idk how big ur hands are but i can use a droid x with 4.3 inich screen easy with one hand idk how galaxy nexus will be since the screen size will include back home and app button which makes the screen smaller than the 4.65 they say it has.
My dad’s got one of those. I have large hands and long fingers, but I still find I have to shuffle my hand slightly to reach the far corner of the screen with my thumb. I’d be okay with a slightly larger than 3.5″ screen, but not by much.
ic it as bloatware on my phone that i do not want and glass on the back of the phone is the stupidest thing about the iphone and it is not the thinnest and it doesnt even have lte(i guess at&t bad 4g though)
idk how it’d work with a reg keyboard i use a t9 style of keyboard on android never use keyboard that comes with the phone(i dont think u can change keyboard in ios without jailbreak though) i love the t9 style i guess i love texting way i did when i was in grade school and i can barely reach all the keys on ipad with 2 hands but it works ok but i dont mind it because of how big the keys are on it
The contracts are a bit expensive. I’m on a family plan so that is a better deal but doesn’t work well for comparison purposes. I used to pay about $75 per month with a grandfathered in unlimited data plan for AT&T iPhone service after the student discount offered by my university.