NPD

The NPD Group: What Motivates Mobile Phone Buyers to Buy?

Today's favored flip-phone faces emerging challenges for feature-focused consumers

PORT WASHINGTON, NY, February 27, 2007 – According to The NPD Group, a leading consumer and retail information company, features and form factor are the primary motivators of American consumer phone purchases, with flip-phones continuing as a favored phone type.

“With few exceptions, buyers have ranked these two criteria highest (roughly 40 percent) over the past seven quarters,� said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for The NPD Group. “Experienced phone buyers are zeroing in on familiar criteria. This offers opportunities for handset manufacturers and carriers to educate consumers about emerging capabilities.�