Apple iPhone once again tops JD Power smartphone rankings

Apple's iPhone has once again claimed the top spot in the annual JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey.

The research firm reported that the Apple device came top in the second smartphone satisfaction report, followed by HTC and Samsung.

The iPhone logged a score of 838, while HTC managed 801. Apple earned 'among the best' ratings in each of the five categories, including design, performance, ease of use and feature set.

Researchers noted that customers prefer handsets that offer a balance of powerful hardware and a thin case.

"It's not unexpected that satisfaction is higher for devices that have new technological advances or features," noted JD Power senior director of wireless services Kirk Parsons.

"Having the right combination of physical dimensions and operating functions and features for smartphones and traditionally equipped devices is key to creating an exceptional ownership experience with each type of wireless device."

The September report is the sixth consecutive survey from the company in which Apple has beaten all other smartphone vendors in terms of customer satisfaction.

Among traditional feature phone devices, Samsung claimed the top spot with a score of 718, narrowly edging out LG and Sanyo on 717 and 716 respectively.