Apple's iPhone success is unquestioned but the perception exceeds the reality. Instead, the more modest expectations of Android devices make people far more satisfied with them.  iPhone 5 only ranks fifth in device satisfaction in a study of 93,825 US mobile users.

 The study by mobile research specialists On Device Research, is one of the largest studies of device satisfaction, measuring 320,000 mobile and tablet users across six countries. US mobile users reported a higher satisfaction with their Motorola's Atrix device (8.57) than the much more expensive Apple iPhone 5, which users gave an 8.23.

For people with slower wireless speeds, the iPhone did well. The top 5 devices for satisfaction in the US are 4G capable devices, and users with a 4G subscription reported a higher device satisfaction (7.76) than those with no 4G subscription (7.28).  In the US, 4G is common but the UK has only one 4G network operator, EE, and so the iPhone 5 is under less pressure from competitor devices, ranking second in user satisfaction. 

In the study of 52,140 UK mobile users, only the HTC One X scores higher (8.47) than Apple's iPhone 5 (8.21).

 On Device Research's Marketing Manager, Sarah Quinn said, "Although Apple created one of the most revolutionary devices of the past decade, other manufacturers have caught up, with some Android powered devices now commanding higher levels of user satisfaction. As 4G opens up to more UK cities in 2013, it will provide opportunities for both mobile network operators and handset manufacturers, to increase user satisfaction and device usage." 

Methodology

93,825 US mobile users and 52,140 UK mobile users were asked how satisfied they are with their mobile on a 10 point scale. All questions were asked through a survey they had taken via the mobile Internet, where their mobile device is automatically identified. A follow up purchasing and usage study of 1,812 US mobile users was also carried out.