Factors Influencing Consumers to Choose iPhones - Essay Example

1. Literature Review 1 Introduction The iPhone is one of the most successful handsets. In literature review, factors influencing consumer on choosing the iPhone will be discussed. Apple is one of those companies who pay special attention to its marketing campaigns. Analyzing the global market, it has been proven than Apple has been successful. Apple always offers products as per consumer’s needs and requirements. Apple has been focusing on the right marketing of the right product in the right market to the right consumers. 1.2 Global Mobile Market Mobile market has been doing well globally. Mobile market is expected to do tremendous business from 2009 to 2012 especially in Asia, the Middle East and the Europe. Smartphone are in fashion and the iPhone is the most dominating handset throughout. In fourth quarter of 2008, a sale of 305 million was recorded in global mobile market while Compound Annual Growth Rate from 2009 to 2012 is expected to be 12.3%. At present, Apple holds 32 percent of the aggregate mobile phone industry profit globally. Windows mobile are very popular these days. Kirk illustrated a research that by 2012, almost 37.4 % of the Smartphone market will be captured by Operating System of Nokia Symbian, while Android will hold around 18% of the Smartphone market. Operating System of Blackberry will own around 13.9% and the Operating System of the iPhone will own 13.6% of the Smartphone market (2009). Popularity of the iPhone has been increasing day by day. Another research from the Wall Street Journal reveals that the market share of Apple’s Smartphone significantly fell down to 16.6% in the fourth quarter of 2009 from 18.1% in the third quarter of 2009, though sales grew with almost 18% from third quarter to the fourth quarter of the year 2009 while in the fourth quarter of 2008, Apple experienced a growth from 10.8% to around 16.4% in 2009 in market share (Marsal, 2010).  There is a great influence over the Smartphone industry of the iPhone (Sheth, N. 2010). However, Apple holds a significant role in Smartphone industry (Evans, J. 2010). Apple has been coming up with numerous competitive products like multitouch ipads etc. Marketing side of Apple is very strong and still, it is expected that Apple will be selling around two million ipads in the current year and is expected to sell almost six million ipads in the coming year 2011. This could be the reason behind Investors’ trust in Apple (Hughes, 2010).  1.2.1 Product Life Cycle A latest mobile model experiences good time till the new model is released by the company. People crazily start buying latest versions of their favorite brand. New versions are mostly advanced and are with number of additional features. When the latest model is launched, price of previous model begin to fall. The mobile industry is highly dynamic but then also, it generates good revenue. 1.2.2 Marketing Attractiveness To analyze the direction of a company, to evaluate competition, decision making and to assess the threat and opportunities, SWOT analysis can be used. If we see a general SWOT analysis template, it would be easier to understand the usefulness of SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis basically, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of any situation. This helps in evaluating and comparing the usefulness, advantages, values and other positive features with the negative effects, disadvantages and harms. When a buyer tends to make a purchase decision, he focuses on the unique selling point or features of product he wishes to purchase. That helps and assists him in making the right decision. To evaluate the seller’s position in a market or for any decision making assistance, Michael Porter described five forces for strategic assessment. Such frameworks help in decision making, generating ideas, preparing an action plan and these frameworks also assist in an analysis. 1.2.2.1 Threat of substitute These days, many similar products, like the one HTC HD2, are in competition with Apple iPhone. Now consumer decision can be influenced by HTC HD2 as it has many advanced features than the iPhone. HTC HD2 or Samsung Jet S8000 can be a threat to the iPhone. The iPhone marketing team should concentrate on all advanced features which have been introduced or are in phase of launch by its competitors. 1.2.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers Due to a tough competition in mobile industry, it is pretty obvious that similar products with a little difference or sometimes no difference at all are extensively available in the market. This diminishes seller’s dominancy and monopoly and enables a buyer to bargain reasonably. 1.2.2.3 Bargaining Power of Supplier It is very important to have good business terms with the suppliers. For a Smartphone company like iPhone, it can be very critical to lose a software supplier or any other specialized supplier. However, both the parties work on the basis of mutual benefits. Therefore, suppliers do not have very high power of bargaining. 1.2.2.4 Competitive rivalry Market is very competitive these days. People want to purchase sets with the latest technology and features. Giant companies have been launching a number of advance features to attract the buyers. To compete, all firms should come up with additional and advance technologies so that they are not left behind. Through Porter’s five forces analysis, the iPhone attracted buyers at the time of launch due to its marketing efforts, advance features and beautiful touch screen. Competitors in the market, than, started working hard to get something better than the iPhone. Apple should now keep all similar products of market in to notice and should come up with something unbeatable. Still, people trust in the iPhone but with continuous struggle by the competitors, buyers may switch to the similar products. 2 The Market Trend Many of the mobile handsets are considered ideal and are also used as pocket PC where one can make and receive calls as well as can check official emails. Earlier, organizations used to provide laptops to their executives. These days, more than laptops, Smartphone like iPhone and Blackberry are getting popular and are commonly used. Global Market Insite, Inc. derived a survey conducted by RDA Global in the fifth month of 2007 in the United States of America to find out the effectiveness and efficiency of the iPhone. More than a thousand outdoor workers participated in this survey. As, outdoor or mobile workers mostly get connected with their head offices by the mean of Smartphone. Above survey disclosed that many of the workers are in favor of buying the iPhone handsets in result of which the iPhone sales would increase next year to almost 7.2 million units. The brand Apple is considered reliable. Therefore, 38% of the users of Apple computers showed their concern of buying the iPhone in the coming year. This survey disclosed that the iPod users also plan to switch to the iPhone very soon. Trend of using Blackberry was so common once that it became a fashion for executives to carry the Blackberry mobiles. However, the iPhone is proven to be more compatible and is loved by every second person (RDA Global, 2007). 2.1 Product A product is something offered to the market. A good product is something which satisfies customer needs. It is very important for a company to design a product as per public demand or else market is highly competitive and buyers have many options. Mobile market is highly profitable these days as mobile trend is very common and is considered compulsory to carry a cell phone. Cell phone is something that people carry all the time and the most than any other product. Therefore, people want their mobile sets to be well equipped with all what they desire. Mobile manufacturers should concentrate on consumer needs. In case they fail to provide what a consumer requires, it could be difficult to persuade them in future to buy some other version. As per needs of consumers today, they do not just need a cell phone to receive and make calls. They demand something more by the mean of getting connected to their official affairs as well as with their social circles. Considering the requirements of consumers, Smartphone handsets are more in to fashion. The iPhone, HTC and the Blackberry have been coming up with the consumer’s need and are successful. However, the iPhone is the most successful product these days. The iPhone 3Gs is considered one of the most successful sets mobile market ever introduced. 2.1.1 The Product by Apple In June 2007, Apple Company spent around 100 million US dollars in the marketing campaign of the iPhone that actually ensured the successful launch of the iPhone-the most happening product of Apple Company. IPhone highly, efficiently and effectively supports multimedia, internet functions, virtual input, Wi-Fi and number of advance functions. Touch screen input, extra ordinary big screen, audio efficiency, battery backup, excellent camera, moisture sensors, beautiful interface and stylish smart look are the key features of the iPhone success since its launch. Many of the competitors like Samsung and HTC introduced similar products but technology used in the iPhone has made it the reliable handset than all other similar sets. Samsung Jet S8000 was introduced with a great hope. Samsung Jet S8000 not only resembles the iPhone in design but is also very economical. Before launch, it was expected to compete but people didn’t even bother to match it in any case with the iPhone. Mostly, executives do not buy what is affordable by everyone. Secondly, the Apple brand is more reliable in Smartphone than the Samsung as Samsung cannot be as efficient in pocket PC features as Apple can be. The iPhone is more synchronized and efficient than Samsung in almost all the aspects so people don’t mind paying extra to get the best product. However, Samsung can be a better choice for people who can’t afford the iPhone. The iPhone has been a successful and profitable product for Apple. Nokia has been a tough competitor for all other companies. However, these days, people are not just looking for normal mobile sets; trend of Smartphone is becoming popular. No doubt, Nokia has been the leading mobile company for years but when it comes to Smartphone or pocket PC, iPhone, HTC and Blackberry are considerably more into demand. This might give a tough time to the Nokia Company who has been dominating mobile industry since long. To come up with the challenges, companies usually tend to enclose many of the similar features of their competitive products in their upcoming products. This mostly results in patent issues like the recent one between Nokia and Apple. It is very common to receive critical reviews from different sides over the iPhone but such negative comments and reviews cannot, in any way, diminish the sales of the iPhone. The iPhone is a popular Smartphone and is known for its excellence. People love to buy it and prefer it over a number of other brands. Hence, it is really not easy to criticize such a cool set. IPhone is considered as world’s best toy (Derick, 2007). The iPhone marketing tends to target corporate, businessmen, professionals, students, doctors and many executives by meeting all their requirements (Alex, 2006). Alex shared a table which illustrates the iPhone marketing strategy of covering all sectors. Target Segment Consumer Need Corresponding Feature/Benefit Professionals Stay in touch while on the go Record information while on the go E-mail, instant messaging, and phone Applications from Mac OS X for notes and record-keeping Students Perform many functions without carrying multiple gadgets Style and individuality iPod, phone, video, TV shows, Internet, PDA Apple branding as fashion statement Corporate Users Input and access critical data on the go Applications from Mac OS X for notes and record-keeping Compatible with widely available software Entrepreneurs Organize contracts, access contracts, and schedule details Wireless access to calendar and address book to easily check appointments and contacts Medical Users Update, access, and exchange medical records Wireless access to calendar and address book to reduce paperwork and increase productivity Table 1: IPhone Marketing Plan (Source: Alex, 2006). 2.1.2 The Product Line of Apple Product line of the Apple Company is not so wide and is very simple. Apple Company doesn’t believe in launching so many different products. It follows a simple product line and this could be a reason of concentrating on a few products. This has been proven somewhat profitable and successful for Apple. So far, the reputable Apple Company has just introduced three desktop computers, three notebooks, four iPods and one mobile phone. 2.1.3 Service Support Two areas come under the service support aspect. Firstly, a set should be compatible with almost all concerned telecommunication companies. It means that if a company introduces a GSM set then the set should be compatible to all GSM service providers of proposed geographical location. A set of the United Kingdom or the United States may cause problem when is used at some Asian country. Secondly, it is very important for a company to design a set as per consumer needs. Say, GPRS, Bluetooth, Infra, Wi-Fi and email services are commonly used services these days. However, GPRS and email services need compatibility from service providers’ end as well. 2.1.4 Innovation It is compulsory for all mobile manufacturers to maintain a hi-fi, efficient, effective and specialized research centre. It is the most important aspect in the mobile phone industry as mobile phone industry is very competitive and challenging. Camera features, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio and all other innovations are blessings of continuous research and development. These days, mobile TV is a hot innovation in mobile industry. 2.2 Product Strategies All mobile phone manufacturers should use and apply product strategies to survive in the competitive and innovative mobile industry these days. Strategies help an organization coping up with the market challenges with limited resources. In the mobile phone industry, market penetration and new product development are very important. However, Apple Company has been depending highly on its marketing strategy. This is the reason why launches of all Apple products come up as a global event. Apple does not follow the strategy of introducing so many products. Apple is innovative but Apple launches innovative products with huge operating cost. 2.2.1 Apple Marketing All marketing strategies aim towards consumer satisfaction. If users like the product, it gradually increases product sales. This is all due to the customer satisfaction. The marketing strategy, basically, ensures if the people are satisfied with the product, or if they suggest any modification or enhancement. The marketing strategies help a firm in coming up with innovations. In almost all the products, latest model is always modified and better than all previous versions. Basically, the marketing team analyzes public demand and move on accordingly. Apple always comes up with the beautiful, stylish and the smart products. Many companies tend to copy the successful products of Apple but people hardly rely on any other brand. Apple follows the strategy of coming up with unique and attractive mobile sets with an excellent e-business services. Marketing strategy of Apple iPhone has been as successful as it reached to a hundred and eighty dollars per share from seven and half per share in just five years while recently it reached to two hundred and ten dollars in January 2010. Surveys indicate that people actually wait to see the upcoming models of the iPhone (Chaffin & Gamet, 2008). Apple Marketing announcements prove iPhone as a different and cool set (Derick, 2007). Initially, iPhone marketing plan was to come up with all computer solutions. They wanted iPhone to be ideal for all segments as illustrated above. Apple marketing strategies went well and iPhone did pretty well in the Smartphone industry. 2.3 Why IPhone is the most Successful Here, let us include Siegler’s analysis of the iPhone with another brand before we move on to the conclusion. Siegler analyzed the iPhone with Google Android “Nexus One” after his visit to the Google Android “Nexus One” event. In this event, audience got a chance to try and test Nexus One. Siegler stated in his analysis that when it comes to the Google apps and Gmail, many of the features are better in Android phones as compare to the iPhone handsets. Nexus-One is, comparatively, faster than other devices including the iPhone sets. Even in maps, Nexus One offers more options than the iPhone does. The Google Sky Map and the Goggles are the best features of Nexus One which are not found in any other similar product. However, the Third Party Apps of the iPhone handsets are excellent and are far better than Android. Games on Android are more interesting than the games on iPhone. IPhone games are not very interesting. Collectively, many of the features (including messaging apps, Pandora, background apps) of Nexus One are more attractive than the iPhone. When it comes to hardware, HTC and Nexus One have designed their latest handsets’ back as removable battery backing that is quite better than the iPhone sets as the iPhone sets have plastic backing. Camera of Nexus One is better than the iPhone as its five Megapixel camera and also has LED flash while iPhone 3Gs handsets contain 3 Megapixel cameras with no LED flash. Siegler suggests the iPhone to concentrate on above additional features of the Nexus One in their next model. The main task of an operating system, especially in touch screen case, is to synchronize hardware and software in such a way that the device does not irritate its user. However, IPhone touch screen is well synchronized and is better than the Nexus One. (Siegler M. G.2010). 3GS handset is known and is loved for its graphical capabilities, PSP-rivalling 3D visuals and many other features (Yamster, 2010). Users love to use their fingers to zoom in and to zoom out. Touch-screen also allows users to scroll pictures here and there easily. Multimedia and photo gallery features are very impressive and attract buyers. Slim and smooth look is the first thing to catch attention. The sound system is simply outstanding. Single button at the bottom of the front screen gives a clean look. However, virtual keyboard may irritate many of us while typing a message. One gets familiar with typing with the passage of time as many of us are more comfortable in using the physical keypad. The screen view can be adjusted as landscape or portrait, depending on the user’s comfort. It gives a real pleasure to use landscape view when enjoying multimedia part in an iPhone. The iPhone does not support a few basic features. For instance, it doesn’t support stereo Bluetooth, and it doesn’t have an excellent call quality. The data network is also somewhat slower than many of similar handsets. When it comes to the MP3, the iPhone is an ideal set for multimedia and MP3 lovers. The HTC HD2 is also one of the similar sets with height 4.74 inches, width around 2.64 inches and thickness around 0.43 inches. Total weight of HTC HD2 is approximately 5.54 ounces. While the height of iPhone 3Gs is 4.50 inches, width is 2.40 inches, thickness is 0.48 inches and total weight is approximately 4.80 ounces. This way, HTC HD2 is a little taller, a little broader, and comparatively slimmer than iPhone 3Gs while iPhone is a little lighter in weight than HTC HD2. HTC HD2 looks beautiful and smarter than iPhone of both sets are placed together. Display of HTC HD2 is quite attractive than the display of iPhone 3Gs. The good part about HTC HD2 is it is taller than the iPhone, but it is also thinner than the iPhone. The HTC HD2 is with 4.3 inches screen while the iPhone is with 3.5 inches screen. So, the iPhone has a smaller screen than HTC HD2. Touch Screens of both the sets are with multi-touch and capacitive. Both the sets have similar Wi-Fi with no difference. HTC HD2 is with G-Sensor, Proximity Sensor Ambient Light Sensor and iPhone 3Gs is with Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor Ambient Light Sensor. Headphone jacks are also similar. Screen resolution HTC HD2 is 480*800 while screen resolution of iPhone is 480 *320. HTC HD2 has a higher screen resolution. HTC HD2 has a faster processor of 1 ghz Snapdragon while the processor of the iPhone 3Gs is just 600 mhz. The memory capacity and camera quality of HTC HD2 are also quite better than the iPhone 3Gs. Both the sets are with internal built-in antennas and are with enhanced data rate. HTC HD2 is with Dual LED Flash, removable battery and FM Radio while there are no such features in iPhone 3Gs. Operating system of HTC HD2 handset is also better than Operating System of the iPhone 3Gs handset. If one analyzes the above features, it is pretty obvious that HTC HD2 is with high configurations than iPhone 3Gs but unfortunately, when it came to real comparison, the iPhone has been proven to be faster and well synchronized. Users would be happy if HTC HD2 is practically proven to be faster than the iPhone 3Gs despite configuration. Another drawback of HTC HD2 is problem in running you-tube while iPhone 3Gs supports you-tube. Browser of HTC HD2 is not as faster as the browser of an iPhone. HTC HD2 is slimmer and taller than iPhone 3Gs but sometimes it looks quite big and less easy to carry than the iPhone 3Gs. The silver design that surrounds iPhone 3Gs handsets gives it a smooth, beautiful and a nice look. It seems easier to carry an iPhone as compare to HTC HD2. Moreover, iPhone 3Gs was launched before HTC HD2 so it is quite obvious that HTC tried to come up with better configuration than the iPhone but ultimately, results prove the iPhone better and well synchronized than any other phone. New iPhone handsets will be having a number of exciting features including auto focusing and 3.2 Megapixel cameras (Zibreg, 2009). One of the features will enable user to find out his set in case his iPhone is misplaced (Baldwin, 2009). Also, new iPhone handsets will be with an excellent technology that will extend the battery life. Apple is a reliable company and has proven to be the best Smartphone provider. In 2010, Apple, with history of thirty four consecutive years celebrated and announced its best quarter (Johnson, 2010). Marketing team of Apple has been constantly coming up with the dynamic approaches to make their products more successful. One of the successes of the iPhone could be to defeat Blackberry. Marketing strategies of Apple enable the iPhone to be the best in the market and to ensure this; they keep on evaluating launch of other handsets, especially HTC, Android, Blackberry and a few other giants. The iPhone 3G version was introduced in the United States of America by Apple around vacations. It was quite before the decided launch time (McLean, 2007). The iPhone is so much popular that people were waiting in line on 29th June 2007 to purchase iPhone handsets. Apple arranged millions of sets for its launch (Cheng, 2007). Huge, attractive and expensive advertisement boards, the electronic advertisements and aggressive launch campaigns followed by an exciting launch with free donuts, water, even teaser demonstrations all play a very significant role in promoting a product, especially, when product itself is outstanding then all marketing strategies begin to work more efficiently (Mook, 2007). The marketing team of Apple struggles day and night to be the best by the mean of working hard to improve their upcoming versions and models. Technology plays an important role so it is really important for marketing team to pay special attention to the operating system of their handsets (McLean, 2007). A survey concludes that there is a great opportunity of the iPhone sales in China as Chinese love to use Smartphone than normal handsets, and also they rely on Apple as a brand (Elmer-DeWitt, 2010). There is still a tendency to improve a few apps and features (Dan, 2007). The iPhone is a competitive product of Apple that has been leading the Smartphone industry (Maisto, 2010). As per Masnick, A few apps are getting popular very rapidly like the one in iPhone is the BBC app which is demanded by a few newspaper agencies to be blocked. This proves that newspaper agencies are less competitive and as the iPhone is very popular and is becoming common day by day, they think that BBC app will also become popular so these agencies tried to oppose this new BBC iPhone app (Masnick, 2010). 3 Conclusion Apple Company does not believe in the strategy of launching many products one after another. The basic strategy that Apple Company follows it to be innovative. Secondly, Apple Company highly concentrates on its marketing strategies. The marketing product strategies play an important role to promote any product, and with keep on working to come up with a possible solution to meet the market competition and challenges, it becomes possible to perform a bridge task between the market requirements and the operational budgeted possibilities. The launch of any of Apple product is dealt as the worldwide event. This is the key reason behind the popularity of Apple products. Apple launched the iPhone with complete concentration on above two strategies. The iPhone is one of the popular phones these days which became popular not just because of the brand, but due to the marketing strategies which came up with the challenges of recent needs and interests. The marketing strategies have enabled Apple to recognize the market needs and to come up with actually what people want these days. These days, carrying an iPhone is considered more into fashion and smarter than carrying a Blackberry. The iPhone might defeat Blackberry very soon due to a significant rise in its sales worldwide. Demand for the iPhone has been increasing day by day while these sets are more costly than Blackberry phones. People do not just buy iPhone due to its brand, because of the right marketing of the right product, the iPhone sales accelerated with a good margin. The successful marketing strategies and campaigns followed by the customer satisfaction enhanced trust of Smartphone users in the Apple Company. As other companies have also been trying to design something better than the iPhone but the marketing team of the iPhone is struggling day and night to modify upcoming version to defeat all competitors. It is not easy to criticize the iPhone or to compare an iPhone with any other brand. As people demand a lot from mobile companies to include in their next versions, the companies have been coming up with efforts to meet all challenges. Buyers assess and buy after comparing devices with each other. This market trend is highly competitive and challenging. REFERENCES Alex. (2006). iPhone marketing plan . Available: http://www.iPhonefans.com/general-iPhone-discussion/268-iPhone-marketing-plan.html. Last accessed 23 Feb 2010. Baldwin, C. (2009). New Apple iPhone features get under your skin. Available: http://blogs.reuters.com/mediafile/2009/06/09/new-apple-iPhone-features-get-under-your-skin/. Last accessed 12 Feb 2010. Chaffin, B & Gamet, J. (2008). Apple Weekly Report #126: The Ever Growing iPhone Market, and Microsoft’s Yahoo Ques.Available: http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/podcast/Apple_Weekly_Report_126_The_Ever_Growing_iPhone_Market_and_Microsofts_Yahoo/. Last accessed 11 Feb 2010. Cheng, J. (2007). BusinessWeek: Apple to meet iPhone demand with 3 million units upon launch. Available: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2007/06/businessweek-apple-to-meet-iPhone-demand-with-3-million-units-upon-launch.ars. Last accessed 22 Feb 2010. Dan . (2007). iPhone demand 2.0 #6: Instant Contact sharing. Available: http://www.talkiPhone.com/iPhone-demand-20-6-instant-contact-sharing-124/. Last accessed 22 Feb 2010. Derick. 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(2009). Report: Android to surpass iPhone market share by 2012 . Available: http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=8065. Last accessed 11 Feb 2010. Maisto, M. (2010). iPhone, iPad and Ilk Driving Insatiable Demand for NAND. Available: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/iPhone-iPad-and-Ilk-Driving-Insatiable-Demand-for-NAND-655177/. Last accessed 22 Feb 2010. Marsal, K. (201O). Despite sales growth, Apples iPhone loses market share - report . Available: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/02/02/despite_sales_growth_apples_iPhone_loses_market_share_report.html. Last accessed 12 Feb 2010. Masnick, M. (2010). UK Newspapers Demand BBC iPhone App Be Blocked Because Its Too Competitive. Available: http://techdirt.com/articles/20100219/0211018236.shtml. Last accessed 21 Feb 2010. McLean, P. (2007). Analyst claims iPhone demand slowing but 3G model in cards. Available: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/07/24/analyst_claims_iPhone_demand_slowing_but_3g_model_in_cards.html. Last accessed 21 Feb 2010. Mook, N. (2007). First Day iPhone Supply Exceeds Demand. Available: http://www.betanews.com/article/First-Day-iPhone-Supply-Exceeds-Demand/1183182792. Last accessed 21 Feb 2010. RDA Global. (2007). RDA Global Mobile Worker Study: Apple iPhone Market. Available: http://www.marketresearch.com/map/prod/1513887.html. Last accessed 12 Feb 2010. Sheth, N . (2010). IPhone Loses Market Share in Fourth Quarter. Available: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/02/01/iPhone-loses-market-share-in-fourth-quarter/tab/article/. Last accessed 11 Feb 2010. Siegler M. G. . (2010). An iPhone Lovers Take On The Nexus One. Available: http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/12/iPhone-versus-nexus-one/. Last accessed 13 Feb 2010. Yamster. (2010). SG Analysis: iPhone 6G to feature “less for more”. Available: http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2010/01/sg-analysis-iPhone-6g-to-feature-less-for-more.html. Last accessed 13 Feb 2010. Zibreg, C. (2009). Analysis: The next-gen iPhone arrives in 2010. Available: http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/analysis-the-next-gen-iPhone-arrives-in-2010-20090513/. Last accessed 13 Feb 2010. REFLECYIVE STATEMENT While working on this paper, I believe that there are many factors which influence consumer like me on choosing the iPhone handset in the mobile market. While gathering relevant data of global mobile industry, I believe that the iPhone is one of the most successful sets in the market, in this paper; it became easier to analyze the Apple’s product strategy to find out the reasons behind the success of the iPhone handsets. I found out that the product marketing strategies, campaigns, product specifications and the similar products influence a consumer on preferring the iPhone over any other similar Smartphone in the mobile phone market. I personally examined the iPhone and I have become a lover of its sleek interface, tremendous audio, video and multimedia features. I have been using HTC for a long time but I found the iPhone display, the Touch Screen quality far better than the other devices. However, it is costly. For a phone, I may not feel comfortable to pay as much as 500$. Thus, there are so many users who happen to be the iPhone lovers and who do not care about price. I believe that due to the camera result, the Touch Screen features and a few other aspects, the iPhone is quite better than the Blackberry or any other phone. While comparing a few other sets with the iphone 3Gs, I noticed that many other sets have advance features than the iPhone but functionality wise, I found the iPhone quite better and faster than others sets. I believe that advance configurations and additional features of others sets cannot compete the iPhone. I tested HTC HD2 with the iphone, and I was surprised to find that the iPhone is quite faster and well performing than HTC HD2 (with almost double configuration) and a few other sets. I believe that the majority of the population likes the iPhone and even people, who can’t afford to buy the iPhone, consider it as a best set in the market. It is due to the successful strategies of the Apple Company that actually brought success to the iPhone as there are many similar sets available in the market, but due to the right strategic approach of the Apple Company, almost all its products were successfully launched. I personally believe that the iPhone is not only the best solution to business and official needs but is also a tool for entertainment. I really enjoy using internet including Facebook etc on the iPhone 3Gs. I agree that the iPhone is the world’s best toy. After reviewing a lot about the Apple, I found that the Apple Company, being innovative, introduced the iPhone as a best time pass for users like me who like to stay connected with their social networks. It really helps to socialize by the mean of Facebook, MSN Messenger, Gmail and other networking sources. I believe that the iPhone is easy-to-use, faster, reliable, the competitive and a beautiful handset that is aggressively introduced and promoted by its marketing team. Read More