iPad 3 – an overpriced, underused status symbol?

March 8, 2012 - PRLog -- IPAD 3 – AN OVERPRICED, UNDERUSED STATUS SYMBOL?

The launch of Apple’s iPad 3 is set to be announced on Wednesday, but despite the raft of exciting new features rumoured to be on offer, research from leading shopping website VoucherCodes.co.uk suggests consumers seem less than eager to shell out their hard earned cash for the new model.

Research on 2,000 UK adults suggests consumers may have got used to lower price tablets from other providers over the last 12 months. The cost of Apple’s new tablet is expected to be roughly in line with the £399 starting price of the current incarnation, however less than one in five (18 per cent) would be prepared to pay over £400 for the iPad 3 once it is released. In fact, the average price respondents would be willing to pay for an iPad 3 is just £225.

With this launch coming less than a year since the iPad 2 hit the shelves, many consumers also feel Apple is guilty of churning out too many devices, with half (50 per cent) of those surveyed feeling new Apple products are released too regularly. Owners of Apple products agree, with 53 per cent frustrated at having to update their technology so regularly. However, despite this frustration Brits do not seem to have fallen out of love with their iPads, with around half (46 per cent) describing them as a status symbol.

The survey also examined what consumers would use an iPad 3 for, and reveals many will not be using a majority of the features on the new devices. Email proved to be the most popular use, with 49 per cent of consumers claiming they would use their new device for checking their mail. Almost a third (29 per cent) would use their iPad to display photos on and around one in five (18 per cent) would use the tablet as a camera. Interestingly, just one in six (16 per cent) would use the new iPad to make video calls, and only one in five (21 per cent) would use it for work.

Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk comments: “The buzz around the iPad 3 is already enormous, but with household budgets being squeezed across the board, the vast majority of UK consumers are simply not in a position to stump up the cash for Apple’s high priced tablet. There are some great alternatives out there and a little shopping around reveals just how cheap some of these devices have become. For cash strapped consumer that wish to buy Apple, a good option might be an iPad 2. We have already seen retailers dropping the price of iPad 2’s ahead of Wednesday’s release and we can expect the price to fall significantly over the next few months.

“Whilst the new iPad will no doubt be technically impressive, our research reveals the majority of consumers will not be utilising many of the features of their new tablet and could save themselves a packet by going for a less expensive device. For example, anyone using an iPad just to check their emails would be far better off with a cheaper tablet or a smartphone.”

ENDS

Press contacts:

Duncan Skehens
PR Manager
VoucherCodes.co.uk
020 3597 7495
duncan.s@VoucherCodes.co.uk

Notes to editors:
OnePoll carried out a survey of 2000 British adults between 1st and 3rd March 2012.

About http://www.VoucherCodes.co.uk
VoucherCodes.co.uk brings together the best voucher codes, 2-for-1 restaurant vouchers, printable vouchers, deals and sales for hundreds of leading online stores to help save you more money.
VoucherCodes.co.uk works with the UK’s favourite retailers and restaurants covering every imaginable product and service, so no matter what our customers are looking for we’re sure to have a great voucher code to help save them money.
Over 4.8 million smart money savers subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sent out every Tuesday morning, it brings together a handpicked selection of the twenty best voucher codes packed with exclusive codes for a huge range of stores and activities.