I wonder if they work hard to eliminate effects of their own sales & marketing from that "research". People don't really give back much of a feedback about mobile phones - most average folks get whatever seems hot (i.e. mostly what the operator markets the most) or whatever the operator gives them as a cheap option to extend the contract.

I haven't seen a market that's more driven by what is being put for sale than mobile phones. People don't choose shit, they pick from the few somewhat cost-effective options that are available any given year.