The other day I got into an auto rickshaw to catch up with a friend. As I boarded that clumsy looking old wagon driven by an average, uneducated, not so hygienic, poor (or so I thought then) fellow, I heard the familiar iPhone ring. I quickly fiddled through my handbag to pull out my phone and see who was calling. While I still struggled through the loads of crap in my handbag, the phone stopped ringing and I heard a loud “Hello”. I raised my head only to see that it was none other than my auto rickshaw driver happily chatting on a brand new Rose Gold iPhone 6. If I say I was surprised that surely would be an understatement.
That episode, however, later made me think deeply on how mobile phones have gotten so much in our country’s DNA and to quite an extent has become our lifeline. From the poorest to the richest, a mobile phone is something most of us possess. I then wondered how, in such little time, has this been added to our life as a necessity. So let’s have a look at the general mobile usage culture and what makes mobile phone usage so popular.
Best Deal! Best Price! Value for money is all we need!
Every time a new phone is launched there is a buzz in the market. Eagerness spreads even among those who recently purchased a mobile phone. Be it for powerful hardware, latest software, the looks or just for curiosity, there’s a whole bunch of people keen to learn about the newly launched device. However, a research says that the set of people who follow the new mobile craze hardly purchase newly launched sets. Most customers, await a fall in price or look for deals being offered by multiple online and offline channels, ultimately going in for great offers, awesome features and least price.
Price Conscious Market:
India, after US and China, is the largest market for smart phones and is expected to become the second largest mobile phone market by end of 2016. However, the year 2014, catered to the price conscious mindset of the Indian Customer. 29% of all mobiles launched in 2014 ranged between INR 5000 to INR 15000. This boosted the penetration of smartphones deeper into the Indian market. The affordable pricing, good technology and loaded features made the budget smartphones an instant hit.
Shopping Mode:
The shopping pattern, over the past few years, has drastically changed. With e-commerce on an upswing, even the older, erstwhile ‘go to shop’ buyer has now switched to shopping ‘at fingertips’. From apparels to electronics, home decor to food items and groceries, everything has captured the online market. Mobile Phones are no exception to this change in buying behaviors. The newer generation of buyers feel that visiting a brick and mortar store to check out the new phone is a waste of time and energy. Easy comparison, selection and payment options have boosted the mobile phone sales. With the internet flooded with deals and accessibility even in remote areas, it is no surprise that mobile phones have reached every nook and corner of this vast country.
The App Factor:
Though mentioned at the last in our list, the world of Apps has, in reality, totally changed the way a mobile is used. It is all because of the wide range of mobile apps available across various app stores that the world has in true sense become ‘mobile’. In today’s day and time there’s an App for almost everything. Just think of what you want to do, and there’s an app to help you do it faster and better. You need to simply download the app on your smartphone or tab and you are good to go! The Mobile App Market is so full of options that there are even apps which help you buy a new mobile phone or tablet by helping you shortlist a phone of your choice within your budget.
Looking at the mobile usage trends and availability of newer devices and Apps running on them, we can say that India is surely on the path to make the most of the digital world.
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