Nearly three quarters of smartphone users (71%) have had problems with their handsets
The biggest gripe is short battery life (48%) while almost a quarter (23%) have had issues with screens freezing
Even making calls and sending texts is a problem – 13% have experienced calls cutting out, 15% recurrent reception issues and a fifth (19%) patchy coverage for calls and texts
The move to 4G can’t come soon enough for some – almost a third (31%) have been let down by no internet or 3G signal while over a quarter (27%) have experienced slow browsing speeds.
Following the newest mobiles being unveiled at Mobile World Congress last week, new research from Uswitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, suggests that today’s smartphones are still blighted with problems that drive users crazy. In fact, nearly three quarters of smartphone users (71%) have had some sort of problem with their high-tech handset.
As well as the age old issue of short battery life (48%), frozen screens (23%) and software faults (14%) are also winding smartphone users up. And some aren’t even enjoying the main benefit of a smartphone – getting online while on the go. Instead, they are being left frustrated by a lack of internet or 3G signal (31%) and slow browsing speeds (27%).
In fact not getting 3G coverage is smartphone users’ second biggest gripe after battery life. But there are even problems with the basics like sending (12%) or receiving (7%) texts, as well as calls cutting out (13%).
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, says: “As phones have got smarter, they have also got more temperamental. And, while manufacturers continue to push the boundaries with new designs, consumers shelling out for top of the range devices will be frustrated that they aren’t getting the most out of them. The biggest gripe is clearly battery life – a perennial problem that seems unlikely to go away with today’s smartphones boasting huge appetites when it comes to sapping power.
“Not getting a fast, reliable internet connection is another gripe for many smartphone users. To reduce the irritation of patchy coverage, make sure that before signing up for a new phone deal you compare the expected quality of coverage with the networks – both for calls and internet – where you live. If service for one provider is no good in your area, be sure to switch to one that has you covered.
“It is also important to consider a ‘4G-ready’ handset if you are on the market for buying a new smartphone. With 4G already being rolled out to many major cities, and networks already selling 4G enabled devices, it’s important that your next mobile is able to take advantage of superfast speeds if you want to put an end to sluggish surfing once and for all.”
Katherine Moss
Phone: 020 3021 5893
Email: katherine.moss@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
Research was carried out online with the Uswitch.com Consumer Opinion Panel amongst 2,101 respondents in January 2013.
Of those with a smartphone, when asked “Which of the following problems have you experienced when using your current smartphone?” 23.0% said ‘Screen freezing’; 14.0% said ‘Software issues’; 48.2% said ‘Battery running down very quickly’; 3.9% said ‘Not charging properly’; 13.4% said’ Calls cutting out’; 5.7% said ‘Calls not being received’; 12.0% said ‘Texts not sending’; 7.2% said ‘Texts not being received’; 14.5% said ‘Recurring reception issues’; 30.6% said ‘No internet/ 3G signal’; 27.2% said ‘Slow browsing speeds’; 10.1% said ‘Slow streaming speeds’; 13.4% said ‘Trouble connecting to Wi-Fi’; 19.2% said ‘Patchy coverage for calls and texts’; 29.3% said ’I have not experienced any problems’.
It’s all about “U”!
Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.
We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.