...credited by those who make money in advertising - perhaps simply good product design is the real reason?

Branding without substantive design leaves us with products like the RAZR & Vista, and perhaps why MOTO & MS are showing some poor numbers of late...

...credited by those who make money in advertising - perhaps simply good product design is the real reason?

Branding without substantive design leaves us with products like the RAZR & Vista,

Nope, it's marketing. Apple got nowhere when it's marketing sucked. And while you might argue that the RAZR and Vista are not good products, they certainly are known products. Which kind of blows your "design" argument.

And what of all the talk from before when people were getting on Apple's case about this or that, and others saying "Any publicity is good publicity". You want to get your name out there, don't you. That's half the battle.

and 95% of that 68% will probably buy some cheap iPhone knock-off.

Testudo,

You don't seem to be familiar with the peculiarities of the developing world markets for high-price, status statement-type products. In most of these places, $400+ cellphones sell surprisingly well. These people are making $200 per month. They are spending next to nothing on housing (perhaps about $20); the food is cheap, so they can often set aside some $40-50 each month to save up for that iPhone (or take up a second temp job to pay off the loan they took to buy it). The important thing is, they WANT that iPhone and they are going to get it, even if it means paying it off for the next two years.

The point is, there is a huge disproportion between the income level and purchasing patterns for (perceived) luxury goods. One other important thing is, in these (developing) markets, consumers can tell the difference very well between cheap knock-offs and the real thing.

ugh I love Apple (since my first Mac in 1984) I have to wonder what "sample" this survey represents. Having lived in China for three years I guarantee that this survey represents a highly select group (five Chinese guys in Pearl Research's offices, anyone?). 68% of 1.3 billion people--not on your life! Price will be a big hurdle though and loathe as I am to AGREE with "t*******", or whatever the troll's name is, most will probably buy a cheap iPhone knockoff due to price. The elite and fashion conscious will go for the genuine iPhone, but that will represent a fraction of those who buy mobile smartphones here. Hope China Telcom or China Unicom (or UniCORN as MacNN is so fond of erring--ad infinitum) get their finger out and offer an iPhone here soon. I might even opt for it over a Touch.

Umm, something got deleted: Should be, "Though I love Apple." Not, "Ugh I love Apple." (Though it would be nice if I had a cheaper hobby like stamp collecting).

arguing w/ Testudo this morning about how s/he is way off base and totally wrong - it just gives me a headache_

how many chinese folks were actually a part of this survey?

MacNN could you elaborate on the stats a little more?

68% of 20 people?

I'm sure the 100s of millions of people living in China on a few dollars a day will give the iPhone a miss. Nor those living outside the big cities. 68% is a figure which is dubious to say the least.