Unprecedented Demand for the iPhone 5

Sales of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S III smartphone have reached 10 million in its first two months on the market. This latest version of the Galaxy S has received positive reviews, many of which say that it is a true competitor to the iPhone. Some forecast that its sales could reach 15 million or better if Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) does not introduce a new iPhone by fall. But do not count Apple out just yet.

Results of a new survey by 451 Research/ChangeWave Research show an unprecedented level of advance demand for the next generation iPhone. “Advance demand for the ‘iPhone 5’ is strikingly higher than we’ve seen for any previous iPhone model,” said Dr. Paul Carton of 451/ChangeWave. “Overall smart phone sales should spike to an all-time high this fall, and of course Apple is going to be the number one beneficiary.”

Some 14% of respondents said they were “very likely” and 17% “somewhat likely” to buy an iPhone 5 in the future, based on a description of probable iPhone 5 features. By comparison, a similar question about the iPhone 4S, taken at the time of its October 2011 launch, showed 10% “very likely” and 11.5% “somewhat likely” to buy it. The launch of the iPhone 4S was the most successful smartphone release in history.

About 2% of those surveyed said they were “very likely” to buy a Samsung Galaxy S III, and 7% “somewhat likely” to buy one. Still, overall interest in Samsung models was nearly four times greater than three quarters ago.

Rumored features of the iPhone 5 include a “liquidmetal” body that is resistant to scratching and denting, a larger screen up to 4.6 inches (versus the current 3.5-inch one), a much smaller dock connector, and a battery capable of handling the faster 4G LTE networks.