One-Third of iPhone Users Mistakenly Think They Have 4G

Tuesday July 12, 2011 2:31 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
According to a new survey from Retrevo, 34% of iPhone users are under the mistaken impression that they already have "4G" cellular technology on their devices, highlighting the confusion that has resulted from shifting definitions of just what constitutes "4G" speeds.
Maybe the "4" in the iPhone 4 name gives iPhone owners (34%) the false impression that they already own a 4G phone but the fact is Apple doesn't offer a 4G phone at the moment. Coincidentally, a suspiciously large percentage of Android and BlackBerry owners may be suffering from the same delusion. BlackBerry owners (24%) are almost as confused as iPhone owners since RIM doesn't currently offer a 4G phone. At least some Android owners could be answering correctly as Android 4G phones like the HTC Evo 4G or Samsung Infuse 4G have been available for some time. If nothing else this large number of "misinformed" phone owners serves to emphasize the fact that consumers are quite confused about 4G.
Confusing the issue is the fact that the marketing term "4G" is now being used to apply to not only the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology being rolled out by Verizon and other carriers but also HSPA+ networks such as those run by AT&T and T-Mobile. In addition, carriers running HSPA+ and LTE network won't necessarily all be offering the same speeds for a given standard, resulting in a spectrum of data speeds for consumers to compare.


Apple is not expected to offer LTE support in the next-generation iPhone, but has been said to be supporting HSPA+, which would technically make the iPhone a 4G device on GSM carriers that support the HSPA+ standard. But consumers appear willing to embrace the next iPhone even if it doesn't have 4G capabilities, with 40% of current iPhone owners stating they will be buying the next iPhone even without 4G and an additional 21% stating that they would consider purchasing it. Significant percentages of current Android and BlackBerry owners are also registering interest in the next iPhone, with or without 4G.

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bobsimmons
112 months ago
And this only means that 34% of iPhone owners don't need 4G LTE, because they wouldn't know the difference.... :rolleyes:
Rating: 56 Votes
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mwxiao
112 months ago
I seriously thought I was reading The Onion.
Rating: 46 Votes
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dethmaShine
112 months ago
I just downloaded some extra RAM and 4G on my old iPhone 3G.

Works like a charm! :)
Rating: 40 Votes
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coder12
112 months ago
These would be the high school girls who own iPhones at my school...

(and I quote):
"How do I find google?"
Rating: 38 Votes
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dejo
112 months ago
"The average consumer is an idiot." - DEJO's Axiom of Consumers :D
Rating: 26 Votes
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inkswamp
112 months ago

morons.


"The average consumer is an idiot." - DEJO's Axiom of Consumers :D


Certainly says a lot about the iPhone userbase. :p


well that proves it. 1/3 of iphone users are stupid. i wonder how this ties in with the 1/4 of all americans are retarded thing.


People are dumb :(


It's so awesome when we have people we can look down on, huh? :rolleyes:

Some of the smartest people I know have no clue when it comes to technology. Not being able to keep track of every little advance in some esoteric field of communication technology or the newest, biggest, buzziest acronym that comes along doesn't make someone a moron. Get off your high horses.
Rating: 18 Votes
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SandboxGeneral
112 months ago
Just goes to show that the majority of people aren't tech savvy or care to know the details as long as it "just works."
Rating: 18 Votes
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N10248
112 months ago
My Mac mini is 4G or G4, one of the two, i'm not sure now.
Rating: 17 Votes
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dashiel
112 months ago

"The average consumer is an idiot." - DEJO's Axiom of Consumers :D


morons.



well that proves it. 1/3 of iphone users are stupid. i wonder how this ties in with the 1/4 of all americans are retarded thing.


This is why I always assume people are idiots until I'm shown otherwise. :D


Don’t be so judgmental. I guarantee each and every one of you would be classified an idiotic, retarded, morons if someone (equally judgmental) asked you about a field in which you have little or no interest. We can’t all be experts in all things, and should be grateful there are people who care about different interests so we can benefit from their expertise.

// inkswamp beat me to it
Rating: 12 Votes
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pyn
112 months ago
Don't forget to survey how many consumers have an "iTouch"—a product that doesn't even exist.
Rating: 12 Votes

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