STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES

In the mobile phone industry, there are very many companies that produce smartphone in
the market and compete against each other to gain a large market share. Different people
purchase different smartphones based on the brand image and price of the smartphones. As a
result, this is a report that will give an insight into the demand of smartphones at La Trobe
University. Data collection for this research will be conducted using questionnaires that will be
presented online for every student at La Trobe University to fill. After filling the questionnaires,
the responses were exported to excel file where a random sample of 100 students were selected
for analysis. After the analysis, which these report is based on, the results obtained from the
analysis will be summarized and discussed then recommendations will be made based on the
results.

Data Analysis

Section A: Basic Analysis

52%48%

Prorportion of students by gender

male
female

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 3
From the sample of 100 students selected, 52 were male and 48 were female. The proportion
translates to 52% males and 48 % females indicating that the number of male students sampled
was more tat that of the females sampled.
Average monthly bill of students by gender
With regards to the monthly bills of the student by gender, male students recorded an average
monthly bill of $72.512 against that of females of $76.9375. The results show that female
students spend more than their male counterparts on a monthly basis.
Average Students’ Earnings by Gender
In order to operate in the university environment comfortably, students need to have some
money which they either obtain through parental support or earnings from activities they are
involved in. based on the sample data, the average earnings for male students is estimated to be
$1304.62 compared to $1222.5 for their female counterparts. As a result, it is a clear indication
that male student earn more compared to their female counterparts.
Market share of each mobile phone brand by gender
Male

67%

19%
13%
Male

Apple
LG
Samsung
Other Smartphone

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 4
Different students prefer different types of phones. From the sample data, 67 percent of
male students own Apple iPhones, 19 percent own Samsung smartphones, and 14 percent own
other smartphones while none own LG smart phones.
Female

81%

4%
13%
2%
Female

Apple
LG
Samsung
Other Smartphone

On the other hand, from the sample data, 81 percent of female students own Apple iPhones,
13percent own Samsung smartphones, and 2 percent own other smartphones while 4 percent own
LG smart phones. Generally, comparing the results, most of the students own Apple iPhones
followed by Samsung smartphones
Section B: intermediate market analysis
Relationship between earning of students and choice of mobile phone
Earning Phone type
400 Apple
1500 Apple
1250 Apple

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 5
850 Apple
500 Apple
1600 Apple
50 Apple
800 Apple
600 Apple
1000 Apple
2000 Apple
800 Apple
1000 Apple
600 Apple
1000 Apple
2890 Apple
1000 Apple
1200 Apple
2000 Apple
1000 Apple
1200 Apple
100 Apple
300 Apple
1400 Apple
100 Apple
580 Apple

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 6
3000 Apple
1500 Apple
1600 Apple
2960 Apple
1000 Apple
2600 Apple
1800 Apple
2000 Apple
550 Apple
350 Apple
1700 Apple
500 Apple
1200 Apple
1000 Apple
2000 Apple
250 Apple
3500 Apple
1400 Apple
1600 Apple
1500 Apple
0 Apple
650 Apple
4000 Apple

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 7
3000 Apple
3000 Apple
700 Apple
2100 Apple
500 Apple
320 Apple
2000 Apple
1500 Apple
1000 Apple
2400 Apple
1000 Apple
600 Apple
1800 Apple
500 Apple
1600 Apple
1400 Apple
2200 Apple
800 Apple
2500 Apple
400 Apple
1000 Apple
0 Apple
1600 Apple

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 8

1600 Apple
400 LG
1000 LG

800 Other
smartphone
1000 Other
smartphone
1000 Other
smartphone
500 Other
smartphone
800 Other
smartphone
1400 Other
smartphone
350 Other
smartphone
0 Other
smartphone

3000 Samsung
200 Samsung

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 9

1800 Samsung
2400 Samsung
700 Samsung
2500 Samsung
2000 Samsung
1000 Samsung
120 Samsung
3600 Samsung
500 Samsung
1800 Samsung
1000 Samsung
1000 Samsung
800 Samsung
350 Samsung

400 LG
1000 LG

From the sample data, there exists no relationship between students’ earnings and their
choices of smartphones. This is because when looking at the data based on students earnings and
choice of smartphones, both categories of students, high and low income earners own the same
types of smartphones. Therefore, there seems to exists other factors other than earning, either
preference or brand image.

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 10
Relationship between potential market share and proposed discount offered by Samsung

1015202530404550

Percentage Discount in Samsung

0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80

Discount and Market Share

Relationship

23
23

Comparison Discount and market share relationship
Price is a major determinant of what kind of goods people purchase. From the sample d data, the
results show that if the price of Apple iPhone would be the same as the price of Samsung phones,
then majority of the students would go for Apple iPhones. However, if Samsung increases the
percentage of discounts on its smartphones, then it will be able to increase its market share.
Therefore, an increase in discount on Samsung smartphones causes an increase in its market
share and a decrease in Apple’s market share.
Section C: advance scenarios
Random selection of students from the 2016 BUS1BAN class
Sample Size: 100
95% confidence interval
Male
Observed Proportion: 52%
Confidence Level: 95%

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 11
Confidence Interval:
±9.79
Range for the true population proportion:
42.21% to 61.79%
Female
Observed Proportion: 48%
Confidence Level: 95%
Confidence Interval:
±9.79
Range for the true population proportion:
38.21% to 57.79%
99% confidence interval
Male
Observed Proportion: 52%
Confidence Level: 99%
Confidence Interval:
±12.87
Range for the true population proportion:
39.13% to 64.87%
Female
Observed Proportion: 48%
Confidence Level: 99%
Confidence Interval:

AN INSIGHT INTO STUDENT DEMAND FOR SMARTPHONES AT LA TROBE
UNIVERSITY 12
±12.87
Range for the true population proportion:
35.13% to 60.87%

Summary and Discussion

In summary, the result shows that the approximate proportion of male and female
students in La Trobe University is 52 percent male and 48 percent female. Male students
recorded an average monthly bill of $72.512 against that of females of $76.9375. Male students
earn more, $1304.62 compared to $1222.5 for their female counterparts. As a result, it is a clear
indication that male student earn more compared to their female counterparts. In terms of market
share, Apple has the largest share in the market followed by Samsung, other smartphones, and
then LG. Also, there exists no relationship between students’ earnings and their choices of
smartphones. On the other hand, an increase in discount on Samsung smartphones causes an
increase in its market share and a decrease in Apple’s market share. From the result, it is evident
that Apple iPhones are high on demand followed by Samsung then other smartphones.
Therefore, for Samsung to increase its market share it has to increase discounts on its
smartphones.