iPhone has bucked trends in phone market

The iPhone has gone from strength to strength despite a dip in the mobile phone market.

This is according to Linsey Fryatt, online editor of Stuff.tv, who explained that the handset’s success lies in its usability and newly-developed technology.

Ms Fryatt said that Apple managed to covert the template employed in the Mac computer range onto the iPhone, making its applications user-friendly.

In addition, the successful use of touchscreen technology was a first for the mobile phone market, increasing its appeal, Ms Fryatt said.

The result is that while mobile sales have dipped during the recession, the iPhone has “bucked that trend”.

Looking forward, however, Ms Fryatt expects to see products on the market that could rival the iPhone, which is available on the O2 network.

“The iPhone has been untouchable since its release, but later this year we’re going to see some interesting additions to the market, for example the Palm Pre.

“From what we’ve seen of it – we had a preview of it in January in Las Vegas – it looks very impressive.”

She also identified the HTC Hero with its Android handset as a potential contender for custom. The alternatives could be popular because people may refuse to “follow the crowd” by opting for the iPhone, she speculated.

This year, Apple launched its iPhone 3G S, marketed as a third-generation phone. In the quarter ending June 27th 2009, some 5.2 million devices had been sold.

In its financial report for the third quarter, Apple revealed that its revenue stood at $8.34 billion (£5.04 billion), with a net profit of $1.23 billion (£0.75 billion).