iPhone tops consumer survey

LOS ANGELES, July 27 (UPI) -- A survey of U.S. consumers found the Apple iPhone is practically in its own category in terms of popularity compared with other smartphones.

For Apple fans -- and shareholders -- the numbers are stunning. The survey conducted by PriceGrabber.com found 35 percent of consumers indicated they had plans to buy the iPhone 5, which is expected to be released in the fall.

Forty-eight percent of respondents indicated they preferred the Apple operating system to other major competitors. In addition, "An astonishing 69 percent of consumers indicated that they would most like to receive Apple's iPhone 5," PriceGrabber said in a news release.

By comparison, 19 percent of respondents indicated they preferred the Android operating system, while 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively, indicated they preferred Microsoft Windows and RIM BlackBerry.