Research from The Stevenson Company in the USA has revealed an increase in smartphone sales on prepaid and ‘pay monthly’ tariffs. The company’s latest TraQline Wireless report confirms that more than 50% of all mobile phone purchases are now smartphones.
Smartphone sales now account for 63% of all postpaid mobile deals. Meanwhile, prepaid smartphone sales have increased from 5% percent of all prepay sales three years ago to 29% at the end of 2011. The company says 17% of all mobile phone purchases in the USA are prepaid phones, with Walmart the top prepaid cell phone retailer.
Eric Voyer, vice president of The Stevenson Company, said “Opportunities exist in both the Prepaid and postpaid market, but the upswing in Prepaid purchases and smartphone proliferation opens up a market opportunity for retailers and manufacturers alike. Our findings suggest a continued demand for Prepaid options, with handset features playing a critical factor in the purchase decision. As consumers begin to rely on their wireless devices more, retailers and manufacturers have to adapt to shifting preferences to remain competitive and retain and grow market share.”