71% Of May 2012 Mobile Phone Sales Were Smartphones [iGR Survey]

Smartphones have come a long way over the last 5 years and are now responsible for many of the emails we send, music we listen to and even the social networks we connect with. For that reason it should not come as a surprise that the mini-PC driven devices are now dominating the mobile phone market.

According to a study released by iGR, consumers in May 2012 have purchased a record number of Smartphones. According to the firm of the entire mobile phone market 71% of devices purchased for the month were Smartphone based.

Consumers reported that only 28 percent of the mobile handsets they have purchased recently were “basic” mobile phone models, while also revealing that 69 percent of the handsets they plan to purchase in the future will be smartphone based.

That trend is good news for manufacturers as smartphones make up a higher margin from buyers. For example the average cost per smartphone is now $114.23. Consumers also revealed they would be willing to spend up to $127.25 on average for their future smartphone purchase.

Interestingly consumers revealed that they would be willing to pay $135.90 on average for an Apple iPhone but just $124.65 for a Google Android phone, despite the fact that the Android OS is in higher demand.

According to iGR president and founder Iain Gillot:

“Smartphones have become the new norm. 60 percent of the survey respondents iGR interviewed reported using a smartphone.”

The study also revealed that while many smartphone users are under 45 years old the market is quickly shifting and older users are beginning to buy Smartphones at an increasing rate.