A report published by Reuters today claims that Asia’s well-heeled consumers in Singapore and Hong Kong are losing interest in the iPhone and are turning to smartphones from other brands, notably those from Samsung, Apple’s biggest competitor. The trend is reportedly driven by a combination of “iPhone fatigue” and a desire to be different.
Two years back, Apple dominated Singapore with users carrying more more iOS devices here per capita than anywhere else in the world. But now, Apple’s share of mobile devices in Singapore has declined sharply during the last year. From 72% in January 2012, its share fell to 50 percent this month, while Android devices have grown almost 20%. In Hong Kong, devices running iOS now account for around 30% while Android devices account for nearly two-thirds.
“Apple is still viewed as a prestigious brand, but there are just so many other cool smartphones out there now that the competition is just much stiffer,” said Tom Clayton, chief executive of Singapore-based Bubble Motion , which develops a popular regional social media app called Bubbly.
Where Hong Kong and Singapore lead, other key markets across fast-growing Asia usually follow.
“Singapore and Hong Kong tend to be, from an electronics perspective, leading indicators on what is going to be hot in Western Europe and North America, as well as what is going to take off in the region,” said Jim Wagstaff, who runs a Singapore-based company called Jam Factory developing mobile apps for enterprises.
While some want to stand out from the iPhone-carrying crowd, others find the higher-powered, bigger-screened Android devices better suited to their habits. Janet Chan, a 25-year-old Hong Kong advertising executive, has an iPhone 5 but its fast-draining battery and the appeal of a bigger screen for watching movies is prodding her to switch to a Samsung Galaxy Note II.
“IPhones are like Louis Vuitton handbags,” said marketing manager Narisara Konglua in Bangkok, who uses a Galaxy SIII. “It’s become so commonplace to see people with iPads and iPhones so you lose your cool edge having one.”
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
It was never about being cool. Its about having the most functionality. Apple isnt the king of the hill anymore. Might never be again.
Transferring files via s-beam on my S3 made my life so much easier, than doing it the old fashion way (plugging the cord in the computer, download it, etc.)
Anyone surprised?
Both my iPhone and iPad 2 come to end of their AppleCare lives this year and so, if updating, it may make more sense to go to one device that can do both well. A reasonable screen size in a close to pocketable size, running most of the apps I already use – could be a phablet along the lines of Samsung Galaxy Note 2 might be the solution.
I’ve been an iPhone user since the launch of the iPhone 3G and most recently switched over to an S3 last december. I’m just happy that I can do more with my Android compared to with my iPhone. Like Peter mentioned, it’s about ‘having the most functionality” what you can do with your phone. I can share files easily, just s-beam someone and they have it. I still admire the iPhone, and certainly a lot of things I miss about it (like it’s more touch sensitive when typing on the keyboard).
I hate the restrictions that the Iphone has – when the Samsung Galaxy S III beats it in all specs, without the restrictions – why in the world would I ever want another IPhone? Too much good stuff out there that is better…Plus when you get an iPhone, its obsolete in less than a year, when you are hooked into a 3 year plan …. Their marketing scheme worked for a while, but they are no longer the best phone out there, so it will now work against them.
Having iPhones since 3GS, am tired of premium pricing for not so premium ios’s hate iOS 6, the map debacle and other restrictions, Siri and canada = fizzle, my friend has a Sammy s3, battery, apps, screen blow away my phone. Next phone is a sammy