Does Phone Name affect Buying Decision?

[AshleyPurple]

It has piqued my interests lately when I am buying a new phone. It seems that people?s choices are influenced by the branding instead of the specifications and capability of the phones. Take iPhone for example. I had a friend who purchases the phone simply because it is famous and makes her feel like an elite, not because of its functionality.

Brands such as Samsung, Blackberry, Huawei and HTC are no stranger to us anymore.

Even the specific phone names such as the Galaxy Note, Ascend Mate, and the S4 are taken into account sometimes. So I am curious what actually affect you guys into making the buying decision. Is it the usability or does the name really does matter to you.

 

[Fairclough]

Usability for the most part, but I won't buy something which looks disgusting. My most recent phone I was tossing up between the nexus 4 and the xiaomi. If the Xiaomi didn't release them in batches I would of got it... then it got me thinking and in that time the nexus 4 was released with the same specs and a touch thinner and better looking. My heart on the xiamoi was strong, but If I had an issue sending it to China and making the seller accountable would be difficult. I felt it would be far easier to deal with Google. So reputation did come down to it.

 

[Sizzers]

Virtually every non-iPhone user I know who is getting a new phone will simply say??I?m getting a new phone?, which is pretty much it unless someone follows up with ?which one are you getting??

Without exception new - or upgrading - iPhone users, however, never simply say?.?I?m getting a new phone?. Oh no, they always have to say?"I?m getting an iPhone?. Says it all really.

 

[srkmagnus]

I think there are people who are loyal to certain OEM's based on their prior experiences. For example, people disliked Samsung early on because of the slow updates and would prefer another OEM such as HTC. Today this is not so much the case as Samsung has gotten their act together.

I had a Hero as my first Android device and swore up and down that I would not get a Samsung device... Here I am with my GS2.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dpham00]

Virtually every non-iPhone user I know who is getting a new phone will simply say??I?m getting a new phone?, which is pretty much it unless someone follows up with ?which one are you getting??

Without exception new - or upgrading - iPhone users, however, never simply say?.?I?m getting a new phone?. Oh no, they always have to say?"I?m getting an iPhone?. Says it all really.

This is true. I know people who love everything about Android, except that it isn't an iPhone. They must get an iPhone because everyone of their friends has one.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[dpham00]

I think there are people who are loyal to certain OEM's based on their prior experiences. For example, people disliked Samsung early on because of the slow updates and would prefer another OEM such as HTC. Today this is not so much the case as Samsung has gotten their act together.

I had a Hero as my first Android device and swore up and down that I would not get a Samsung device... Here I am with my GS2.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

HTC itself isn't always fast with updates. Just look at the Thunderbolt, which just got ice cream sandwich just this year.

Both Samsung and HTC had sub par radios on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and Thunderbolt, respectively, some will avoid either brand because of it. Some insist that Samsung has a poor radio on Verizon , based on the experience of older devices, when my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II has the best radio of any phone I had including a few devices on htc and motorola, which is supposed to have the best radio.

Really, you need to make a decision on a device based on the actual device not just based on brand perception.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[paul-c]

Name of the phone doesn't matter to me, only the design and the specs.

Sent from my Sony Xperia ZL

 

[Farish]

There is this thing called marketing. Billions is spent in it by companies. Maybe there is something to this. Functionality phones are really all the same when it comes to the basics.

 

[gollum18]

It's more of a psychological thing, studies show that people think there will be a significant change with chronological numbering (1, 2, 3, etc...). When mostly it's just cosmetic changes or minor hardware upgrades. Now ios6 - 7 marks a significant change, even though most of it was stolen. And that notification drawer is still ugly as sin.

Sprint GS3 Running TN's Msg and Chubbs

 

[JRDroid]

To a degree. You are more likely to buy something with a name you remember or recognize, all other things being equal, or at least close to equal. That is why a Galaxy S4 Mini will outsell a similarly or even better spec'd Pantech, ZTE, or Huawei device at the same price. Its why an LG or Samsung tv costs $200 more than a similarly preforming and sized Vizio tv. Its why people buy a Toyota Carolla or Honda Civic when you can get a better equipped Kia Forte or Hyundai Elantra for less money. It is why Android didn't take off until Verizon's DROID campaign and why no one could come close to Apple until Samsung unified the Galaxy Sx branding across all carriers starting with the SII and fully under the SIII.

 

[anon(50597)]

Of course. The name of the phone, the look, etc. all have to do with careful research that has led the manufacturer to believe it will help sales. Having a recognized brand name (iPhone) sells.

 

[gollum18]

To a degree. You are more likely to buy something with a name you remember or recognize, all other things being equal, or at least close to equal. That is why a Galaxy S4 Mini will outsell a similarly or even better spec'd Pantech, ZTE, or Huawei device at the same price. Its why an LG or Samsung tv costs $200 more than a similarly preforming and sized Vizio tv. Its why people buy a Toyota Carolla or Honda Civic when you can get a better equipped Kia Forte or Hyundai Elantra for less money. It is why Android didn't take off until Verizon's DROID campaign and why no one could come close to Apple until Samsung unified the Galaxy Sx branding across all carriers starting with the SII and fully under the SIII.

I would say more of that just has to do with people believing that they get what they pay for. I'm calling anyone who buys under that mantra stupid. Why would you waste your money attempting to live above your means, it's a pointless waste of money. Branding is all about braineashing and celebrity endorsements only help to cement the fact, that Americans are buying foreign made junk because their idols do.

Sprint GS3 Running TN's Msg and Chubbs

 

[JRDroid]

I would say more of that just has to do with people believing that they get what they pay for. I'm calling anyone who buys under that mantra stupid. Why would you waste your money attempting to live above your means, it's a pointless waste of money. Branding is all about braineashing and celebrity endorsements only help to cement the fact, that Americans are buying foreign made junk because their idols do.

Sprint GS3 Running TN's Msg and Chubbs

It may very well be that the name gives the perception of quality, but to say it is stupid is harsh. Brands get reputations for a reason, and the peace of mind that comes with a reliable brand is worth something. If I told you I had a PanDigital tablet that was a brand new, unannounced model that I'd sell you for $100, you would probably be leaning against buying it before you knew one thing about it, and with good reason. Now if I said I had a brand new, unannounced Samsung or HTC tablet I'd sell you for $100, you would probably be leaning towards buying it before you knew a thing about the tablet. That is how name can effect a choice.