Study || Portuguese people love smartphones. That goes without saying – last year the Resident reported that smartphone sales had increased 73.9% during the first half of 2013 – but the fad comes with a hefty price tag.
A recent study shows that Portuguese phone freaks have spent no less than €441 million in the last seven years getting their phones replaced or repaired.
The reasons, says US service provider Square Trade, is that the phones themselves are not really built to last.
“More and more these devices are competing amongst themselves to become lighter and thinner,” said managing director of Square Trade Europe Kevin Gillan.
“Thus they become more exposed and less resistant to unexpected accidents.”
According to the study, 28% of Portuguese smartphone owners have ruined their appliances in one way or the other in the past two years, while 4% have managed to damage their smartphone screen.
Square Trade’s study was carried out last month, using data from over 13,000 smartphone users all across Europe.
