iPhone buzz: how big is it?

So we know that a fourth of US teens are just salivating at the idea of handing over $500 for an iPhone, but what about the adults? A study by Harris Interactive concludes that 17% of them are interested in buying the product, “which makes for a pretty loud buzz from consumers for a product that isn't yet available”. As for adults that knew about the phone’s existence, they represent almost half of the respondents (47%).

What’s really interesting, though, is when the “I will purchase it” people plan on buying the iPhone: 40% of those said they would buy it when it became less expensive and a fourth claimed they would purchase the phone when it was offered by their current carrier. Bottom line: a majority of those potential purchasers have some waiting to do.

Now, ladies and gents, what the smokin’ hot feature of the iPhone? Touch-screen? Design? Surprise, surprise… the “large capacity”. That’s right: 37% of those surveyed thought 4GB for $500 was the “hottest feature” of Apple’s new gadget. OK, what’s second? Worldwide quad band capabilities. Those two beat the “easy to use/drop dead cool user interface”, which came in third place. Needless to say, I wonder what two thirds of 1,116 individuals questioned were smoking thinking.

I don’t take these studies too seriously, but it’s not looking too bad for the Apple’s gizmo. Just like the original iPod, though, I’m sure the iPhone will be the kind of premium product that really takes off after the price comes down. I can’t wait.

[via Macsimum News]