Black Remains Top Choice for Consumers' Next Mobile Phone says Strategy Analytics

-- Rising Interest in Alternative Color Options Spurs Phone Customization  

BOSTON, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study from the Wireless Device Lab at Strategy Analytics (www.strategyanalytics.com) surveying consumers in the US, UK, France, Germany and China found that respondents prefer a black phone considerably more than any other color phone evaluated.

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Over half of respondents in the UK and France rated black as the most preferred color for their next mobile phone, compared to 45% or more respondents in Germany and the US, and 38% in China. However, while it has topped the polls over the last six years, interest in a black phone has decreased since 2012 in the US and since 2010 in Western Europe. Conversely interest in other colored phones and most notably for white, has risen in both regions since 2010. Exhibit 1.1 presents color preference in the US in 2014.

Exhibit 1.1: Color Preference – US in 2014 

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Monica Wong, Analyst and report author commented, "In all countries males show a much stronger preference for a black phone than females. Mature consumers in France, Germany and China showed slightly greater interest in black than youth in these countries, while in the UK, youth showed most interest in a black phone. Interest in this color dropped most significantly with decreasing age in China. Further, while the greatest interest in color by mobile phone brand was for black, many brands showed above average interest for other color choices".

Paul Brown, Director Wireless Device Lab, added "Handset manufacturers should continue to provide multiple color options for consumers to choose when purchasing a new phone. Introducing a variety of color options for a mobile phone provides the consumer with a more distinct and customized phone, with many finding interest in customization options such as that offered by the Moto X".

About Wireless Device Lab

The Wireless Device Lab forms part of the User Experience Innovation Practice (UXIP) at Strategy Analytics. Focusing on user behaviors, motivations and interests within automotive, wireless devices, connected home and digital media research areas, UXIP helps clients meet consumer needs, develop usable solutions and deliver compelling user experiences. Extensive expertise and highly experienced in large-scale survey work, in-depth interviews, focus groups and observational sessions, UXIP's research methodology allows strategic user-centric analysis on the potential for new technologies that would otherwise be unavailable. Providing actionable insight, go-to-market strategies and business recommendations, UXIP is a leading supplier of consumer knowledge to the technology industry. Click here for more information

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com 

US Contact: Monica Wong, +1 617 614 0763, mwong@strategyanalytics.com

European Contact: Diane O'Neill, +44 1908 423669, doneill@strategyanalytics.com