No Surprise, There's Huge Pent-Up Demand for the iPhone 5

According to a survey conducted by an industry analyst, demand for the iPhone 5 is very high -- significantly higher than it was for last year's iPhone 4. This is certain to lead to strong sales when this smartphone launches.

Mike Abramsky from RBC Capital surveyed 2,200 people last month, and found that 31% of them are very or somewhat likely to get Apple's next smartphone. A similar survey before the launch of the iPhone 4 found that 25% of respondents were interested in that model.

The increase is a result in the delay of the fifth-generation device. Normally Apple refreshes its smartphone every 12 months, but this year it's been 15 months since the last release. As a result, 66% of current iPhone users say they ?intend to upgrade.

New Carriers, New Demand
AT&T has offered the iPhone since it debuted in 2007, and Verizon became the second U.S. carrier to pick up this device early this year. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Apple is going to throw open the gates and allow T-Mobile and Sprint to offer the next version.

The?RBC Capital survey found that subscribers to these carriers are certainly interested -- 54% of Sprint customers and 53% of T-Mobile's say they are significantly or somewhat likely to get the iPhone 5.

There is mounting evidence that the wait won't be much longer, and this device is going to be released at all of the Big 4 carriers next month. Some of the details of this version have also leaked out.

Once it is n the market, Abramsky predicts that the pent-up demand is going to result in Apple selling 27 million smartphones in the first quarter of next year.

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