Apple Across Age Groups

MacWorld is reporting this: "If you talk to people on the street, everyone seems interested in Apple’s iPhone. Solutions Research Group has released a study outlining exactly who the potential buyers are for the iPhone — and it’s a big audience."

The talk about Smartphones has been around for several years. Nokia introduced the communicator in early 2000. Treo's ad Blackberry’s have been around and available in USA for a long time. Is Apple actually succeeding to make the iPhone to a consumer product? The speech about post-PC era is probably a good definition. Apple brought some marketing into the phone business. The phones have been gadgets until now. They are becoming something else now.

While many cell phone users don’t necessarily see the need for a BlackBerry or other smartphone device because they are not in business or they don’t want the extra functionality, the iPhone seems to have interest from many age groups and market segments.

The geeks are likely buyers

According to Solutions Research Group data of those definitely interested in purchasing an iPhone at $499, 72 percent are male and 28 percent are female. The average age of those people is 31 years old.

Success is projected to happen in different age groups, but older are more conservative, according to the study.

What may be a bit surprising is how equally Apple has been able to market the iPhone across different age groups. Unlike other devices that may have the perception of being a boring work device, the iPhone seems to hit the mark with teens and business users alike.

The research data shows that 31 percent of 15-24 year olds; 32 percent of 25-34 year olds; and 31 percent of 35-49 year olds are interested in purchasing the iPhone. The over 50 crowd checked in with 6 percent interest in purchasing the device.

Income over $75,000 means that people with money are going to be the early users. This group can be volatile if the product isn't fulfilling requirements. They have the purchasing power to go with the next buzz.

Of the people that will purchase an iPhone 58 percent are college graduates. The annual income of potential buyers is just over $75,000, 26 percent higher than the national average, according to the data.

Of course the iPhone has a lot of benefits, not the least of which is the included iPod. According tot he research, 48 percent of people that will buy an iPhone currently do not own an iPod.