Android phone users “very satisfied” with handsets

More than seven-in-ten people with an Android mobile phone have described themselves as "very satisfied" with the handset and service they receive, according to a study by ChangeWave.

Of 4,000 smartphone owners surveyed, 72 per cent said they were happy with an Android device – just five per cent fewer than the amount satisfied with their iPhone, which historically draws very few complaints.

The research also showed that there has been a 15 per cent rise in interest in Android devices over the last three months – again second only to the iPhone.

Paul Carton and Jean Crumrine, the report’s authors, said: "To put this in context, three months ago Android operating system (OS) was tied for last place in consumer preference among the major mobile operating systems. But since then it has surged into second place ahead of all competitors except the iPhone OS X."

Motorola’s decision to retail Android handsets also appears to have paid off, with an "enormous wave of demand" created for the Android OS in particular.

Google is set to release a branded smartphone today (January 5th) called the Nexus One, with much speculation that it will be in conjunction with T-Mobile.

However, Mr Carton warned mobile enthusiasts not to expect other brands to be deserted in favour of the new technology.

He said that Motorola’s Droid device is particularly immune thanks to its link with Verizon.

In March of last year a report by Informa Telecoms and Media predicted that sales of Android smartphones could, within three years, top those of the iPhone.