Apple once again topped the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey with a satisfaction score of 839 out of 1,000. The survey measures satisfaction with performance, ease of operation, features, and physical design. HTC took second place with a score of 798, Samsung followed closely behind with a score of 769, and Motorola a score of 758. The industry average score is 774. Apple was the only manufacturer who earned a 5 Power Circle Rating. HTC came close with four circles, and the remaining manufacturers managed 3 circles.
The biggest gripe consumers have with manufacturers and their devices? Battery life. According to the survey, battery life (lack there of) is the single worst aspect of owning a smartphone. As a result, owners satisfied with their device's battery life are likely to rate the manufacturer higher and purchase the same brand again.
As a result, power hungry 4G phones often come with higher rates of dissatisfaction. The shorter lifespans of 4G device batteries is only exacerbated by the increased time 4G phone users spend on their devices, thereby killing the phones quicker.
The balance between speed, battery life, and a happy customer is something many manufacturers are struggling with. Apple thus far has side-stepped the issue by not implementing 4G in their handsets. With the release of the new iPad Apple has finally entered the 4G LTE fray, but reports indicate battery life hasn’t taken a noticeable hit. However, to achieve this Apple included a battery nearly 70% larger than that found in the iPad 2. Apple, has a unique advantage in respects to optimizing their products as well.
With all the advancements in mobile display, processor, and graphics technology, battery advancements have seen little progress. Something new needs to emerge, otherwise manufacturers will be forced to scale-back their devices capabilities, or release crazy powerful devices with horrible battery lives.
The biggest gripe consumers have with manufacturers and their devices? Battery life. According to the survey, battery life (lack there of) is the single worst aspect of owning a smartphone. As a result, owners satisfied with their device's battery life are likely to rate the manufacturer higher and purchase the same brand again.
As a result, power hungry 4G phones often come with higher rates of dissatisfaction. The shorter lifespans of 4G device batteries is only exacerbated by the increased time 4G phone users spend on their devices, thereby killing the phones quicker.
The balance between speed, battery life, and a happy customer is something many manufacturers are struggling with. Apple thus far has side-stepped the issue by not implementing 4G in their handsets. With the release of the new iPad Apple has finally entered the 4G LTE fray, but reports indicate battery life hasn’t taken a noticeable hit. However, to achieve this Apple included a battery nearly 70% larger than that found in the iPad 2. Apple, has a unique advantage in respects to optimizing their products as well.
With all the advancements in mobile display, processor, and graphics technology, battery advancements have seen little progress. Something new needs to emerge, otherwise manufacturers will be forced to scale-back their devices capabilities, or release crazy powerful devices with horrible battery lives.
