23% of Europeans welcome touchscreen phones

In a survey of 2,000 European mobile users by Canlys, the analysis company for the high-tech industry, 23% of respondents said they would like a touchscreen interface on their phone if it gave them a large display, as long as the overall size of the device wasn’t increased.

A further 10% said they would carry a larger phone if it featured a touchscreen or a good keyboard.

However 28% of respondents said they only want a traditional numeric keypad and the priority for 24% of those surveyed was to have a small phone, regardless of interface.

Mobile users with a strong interest in mobile TV, mobile email or GPS services found touchscreen technology up to 50% more appealing than those without an interest in these areas. However, these users still wished to limit the size of their handsets.

Canalys expects larger touchscreen displays offered by phones such as the iPhone to increase the popularity of mobile services such as downloadable games and video.