UAE resident shy to upgrade smartphones

The UAE saw the local launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One (M8) last week, and rumours are getting hotter about the imminent launch of a big-screen iPhone 6 later this year. However, are we ready to embrace a newer device every time one is launched?

A new mobile phone or a modified version of a previous one is launched nearly every few months but are users really excited to lay their hands on these handsets as and when they are rolled out in the market?

Not really.

Technology lovers would definitely want a new gadget when it becomes available but the majority of UAE residents seem to be less inclined to buy a new phone just for the simple reason that it is on the shelf.

According to an online poll run by Emirates 24|7, most residents will not change their existing mobile phones unless they have to.

Majority (57 per cent) of the respondents said they have no urge to keep up with the technological changes and will switch to a new device only when they are forced to. This could be if the phone crashes, gets lost or breaks.

Then, on the list, are the smart ones (9 per cent) who wait for a mobile phone to come their way without paying for it. This could be a gift from a friend, family or just a prize in one of the raffle draws that never seem to be out of the market.

Surprisingly, in this age of seamless communication, there are still some people who claim not to use a mobile phone so the question of changing it is irrelevant to them. Yes, 3 per cent of the respondents claim they are happy to be without a mobile phone but do use the internet at the same time (let’s remember they took part in an online poll).

Even though the majority doesn’t buy a device just because it’s got a wider screen or more apps, there are technology lovers in the country who will not mind paying up to keep up with the changes.

In small numbers but (5 per cent) of the respondents change a phone every time one is released into the market. Nearly a similar number (4 per cent) change phones ever six months and 21 per cent upgrade it once a year.
 
 
 

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