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iPhone users express a drop in satisfaction with iOS 6

A new poll shows that Apple's smartphone owners are slightly less satisfied with the operating system than they were with previous iOS upgrades.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr
2 min read
Scott Forstall, Apple SVP of iOS software, at the debut of iOS 6. Screenshot by James Martin/CNET

It's not news that people aren't too happy with iOS 6's maps. But what about other aspects of the operating system?

Well, a new survey shows that iPhone owners satisfaction with the iOS 6 overall seems to be decreasing compared with iOS 5.

According to TechCrunch, the mobile customer research firm On Device conducted a poll of nearly 16,000 iPhone owners in the U.S. and found that owner satisfaction had slightly dropped compared with previous surveys done on iOS 4 and 5. Although the drop is minimal, this is the first time On Device has seen any sort of decrease in customer satisfaction.

"We have always seen an increase in device satisfaction as consumer upgrade their mobile operating system from one version to another, consumers with iOS 5 are more satisfied with their device and the same is true on Android" On Device CEO Alistair Hill said in a statement. "The decrease is small, however it does highlight that initial reaction to the new operating system is not an overwhelming success, as we have seen with other operating system upgrades."

Besides the maps, which customers say pale in comparison with Google Maps, people have also complained about how the App Store now shows search results. But overall, customer concerns remain relatively low.

Apple has been a long leader in customer satisfaction -- topping almost all research polls. According to a survey by J.D. Power earlier this month, iPhone owners are the most satisfied smartphone customers of all, surpassing Android, HTC, and other smartphone makers.

Although there has been a slight dip in satisfaction with iOS 6, it would be surprising if it had much of an impact on Apple.

Watch this: Big features, tiny tweaks: Up close with iOS 6
Updated at 4:35 p.m. PT with comment from On Device CEO Alistair Hill.