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Chris Foresman - Feb 4, 2011 7:00 pm UTC

Results of a uSamp survey of AT&T and Verizon customers conducted last week reveals that 54 percent of current Android and BlackBerry users on Verizon's network are likely to switch to a Verizon-compatible iPhone 4 by the time the device launches next week on February 10. That same survey suggested that as many as 26 percent of current AT&T iPhone users could switch to Verizon next week as well. The news comes just as Verizon reported blowing well past previous records set for first-day handset sales in less than a day of preorder availability.

uSamp's data is derived from a "highly profiled panel" of over 700 smartphone users currently on AT&T or Verizon conducted between January 28 and January 31 (before current Verizon customers were allowed to preorder online February 3). Among Verizon customers with an Android or BlackBerry device, one quarter are "very likely" to switch to the iPhone 4 on launch, while another 29 percent are "somewhat likely." In particular, two-thirds of BlackBerry users were either very or somewhat likely to switch, according to survey respondents.

Those looking to switch cited the iPhone's unique user interface, Mobile Safari Web browser, and media-handling capabilities as top reasons for ditching their other devices.

The survey also revealed that 8 percent of current AT&T iPhone users were very likely to switch to Verizon come next Thursday, while another 18 percent were somewhat likely to switch. (An earlier ChangeWave survey pegged AT&T switchers at about 16 percent.) Top reasons for switching include dropped calls and coverage area, while those sticking to AT&T cited ETFs and other conversion costs, network speed, and possible degradation to Verizon's network as reasons to stay put.

uSamp's numbers may seem overly optimistic, but according to Verizon, the iPhone 4 has already exceeded sales expectations. The Verizon-compatible iPhone 4 was available to preorder online for current Verizon customers beginning at 3am ET Thursday morning, and  continued throughout the day, before Apple and Verizon had stopped taking orders at approximately 8pm.

“Yesterday's launch set the pace for next week when we open up sales to everyone across America," Verizon Wireless president and CEO Dan Mead said in a statement.

Neither Apple nor Verizon responded to our questions about how many preorders they accepted yesterday, though one rumor pegs it at a quarter million iPhones. However, Apple spokesperson Natalie Harrison did tell Ars that Apple is "thrilled" with the response so far, and is looking forward to "getting the iPhone 4 into the hands of even more customers next Thursday."

Though Apple and Verizon will open online ordering again at 3am ET on February 9, uSamp suggests that plenty of people will be waiting in line at local Verizon Wireless, Best Buy, and Apple retail locations to pick one up. Among those surveyed who plan to get an iPhone 4, about a quarter said they were willing to wait in the often blocks-long lines to pick one up on launch day.

Analysts had predicted that opening up Verizon to a compatible iPhone could have a significant impact on Android's explosive growth over the past year. uSamp's survey results, along with early record handset preorders, suggest those analysts may be right.

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