Smartphone Trends Favor Apple (AAPL) And RIM (RIMM)

Handset users are throwing away their old phones in favor of smart phones from shops like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL and Research-in-Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM). According to a survey by ChangeWave seventeen percent of people planning to buy a handset in the next six months plan to buy and iPhone. Fifteen percent plan to buy a RIMM product.

The bad news is that those planning to buy a phone from Motorola (NYSE: MOT) declined to 11%. That number was 33% in October 2006.

When people surveyed asked whether they were "very satisfied" with their handsets, Apple was in first place with 72% of users giving positive responses. Palm (NASDAQ: PALM) finished last with a 30% satisfaction rating.

The results should be good news for Apple and RIM. Apple’s shares are off over 35% this year and RIM is down 25%.

Douglas A. McIntyre