US consumers see smartphones winning "hands down" against other types of mobile internet access device, according to new research.

Smartphones, either alone or with a mobile companion, emerged as the clear winner in an In-Stat survey of US consumers.

Nearly half of respondents would choose smartphones rather than ultra-mobile PCs or other mobile web access devices.

"Helping the smartphone's chances for success are the established and successful channels of distribution and the fact that the actual pricing is somewhat less than end-user expectations," said In-Stat analyst Bill Hughes.

"Smartphones are established as a valuable solution today, making the sales process easier than for other mobile device options."

Recent In-Stat research found that mobile companions for smartphones are also popular, but that users have unrealistically low expectations for pricing.

About a quarter of users like the idea of the ultra-mobile PC, as long as it does not involve sacrificing the capabilities of a full-function laptop.

The main objection for non-users of mobile data technology in general, and smartphones in particular, is that users are sceptical of the benefits of mobile data and view it as a "luxury".

At the same time, users tend to overestimate the actual cost of smartphones, the research found.