29 percent of Indians resort to a special hack when their phone gets wet. A new report reveals several statistics regarding smartphone damage and protection. Find out how many people are using these hacks and protection plans.
Smartphone water damage
If your phone falls from your hand or accidentally gets exposed to water, tension sets in within seconds. In such situations, instead of rushing to a service center, everyone tries to fix it on their own. A new consumer study has revealed similar smartphone habits in India and the damage caused by accidents. According to the report, 29 percent of Indians have used rice to repair a water-damaged smartphone.
This study was conducted by Hansa Research for OneAssist. Titled "The Great Indian Smartphone Protection Crisis," the report attempts to understand people's habits in India regarding smartphone usage, accidental damage, and protection plans.
82 percent of people have dropped their phones at some point.
According to the report, 82 percent of people have dropped their smartphone at least once. 72 percent have suffered some form of accidental damage. Slipping the phone from a pocket or bag is also a major cause of loss, accounting for 36 percent of such cases.
People's reactions to dropping their phones varied. 35 percent reported feeling panicked after the phone dropped, while 24 percent reported having an argument or fight with someone. 15 percent even canceled their plans due to smartphone damage.
29% of people use this hack for water-damaged phones.
Some people also resort to temporary fixes after their phones are damaged. The study found that 29 percent of Indians used rice to repair water-damaged smartphones. Additionally, 20 to 32 percent tried to repair broken or damaged phones with tape or other temporary methods.
Smartphone Protection Plan still low
Despite so much accidental damage, the use of protection plans remains limited. According to the report, 36 percent of people have purchased a protection plan for their smartphone at some point, but currently only 6 to 8 percent of consumers have an active protection plan. The report cites reasons such as high cost, limited awareness of the benefits of protection plans, and concerns about the claims process.
Demand for protection for old phones as well
According to the study, 70 percent of consumers believe that a protection plan is more important in a pre-owned smartphone than a new phone. About 30 percent of people said that they can consider buying a used phone if they get a warranty or protection plan. In non-metro areas, 54 percent of people bought a pre-owned smartphone, whereas in metro areas this figure was 30 percent. According to the report, people are using phones for a longer period of time and due to rising prices, the cost of damage or repair is also having a greater impact.
