Mobile operators offering the iPhone may be concentrating their efforts on consumers, but research suggests they shouldn't neglect business users, who apparently love the touchscreen interface.

The Apple device beats the competition hands down when it comes to user-satisfaction rates, according to a survey of enterprise smartphone users in the UK.

More than half -- 59 percent -- of iPhone-owning business customers said they are "very satisfied" with the device, according to the survey, by emerging-technology research company ChangeWave Research.

Research In Motion's BlackBerry ranked second, with just under half of those surveyed being "very satisfied" with the device. Nokia came third with 40 percent, followed by Samsung Electronics at 30 percent, Motorola with 25 percent, and Palm with 10 percent.

"It is a very interesting launch product and, once it has settled into use, the price should become more realistic," said Alastair Behenna, chief information officer at UK IT-management specialist Harvey Nash. "If nothing else, it will act as a catalyst to other manufacturers, and the competitive evolution of the iPhone will definitely be worth keeping a watching brief on."