4 in 10 Singaporean netizens want a smartphone this year

And with half of all netizens already owning a smartphone, that leaves only 1 in 10 not fussed, or not able to afford, a smartphone.

Turns out these gadgets not only appeal to the youth, as Nielsen's survey shows people aged 45-49 are the most interested smartphone buyers.

Nielsen reports that netizens aged between 35-39 years old are the largest group who claimed to own a smartphone (59% out of the total in the age group), followed by those aged between 25-29 and 30-34 years old (both groups 51%).

According to the survey, male and female netizens are equally likely to purchase a smartphone. The tendency to purchase a smartphone is highest among consumers aged between 45-49 years old and those under 20 years old – 58 percent and 49 percent respectively indicated they will definitely or will probably buy a smartphone.

Popularity of smartphones inevitably gives rise to mobile apps as well. According to the survey, online consumers who use apps chose to do so via Apple OS (68%), Nokia (31%), Android (24%), Blackberry (18%), Microsoft (14%) and others (8%).

The survey polled over 26, 000 consumers in 53 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. The survey is conducted to look at how consumers will behave towards economic outlook, online shopping habits, consumers’ purchase intention, etc.