iLounge

Data from the latest ChangeWave consumer survey indicates that the iPhone continues to gain market share in the smart phone category, bringing Apple within striking distance of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion for the first time. Overall, 39% of consumers said they currently own a smart phone, up two percent from June. Apple’s market share has jumped five percent among those respondents—from 25% to 30%—in the same time period, leaving it 10% behind market leader RIM, which dropped one point to 40%. Palm remains at 7%. Among consumers planning to purchase a smart phone in the next 90 days, Apple’s share dropped from 44% in June to 36% in September, but it remains 9% ahead of RIM in this metric. Finally, Apple continues to lead in customer satisfaction, with 74% of owners saying they are very satisfied with their iPhone. ChangeWave’s latest survey of was performed from September 14-21 with 4,255 consumer respondents.