Gen X choose functionality over looks

India will soon become a Nation of mobile users. The steadily increasing mobile using population expands due to the ever increasing usage by the youth. A recently completed IDC study confirms that mobile users perceive they derive one of the following sets of benefits from using mobile phones – safety and security, productivity and convenience, or style and status. We spoke to a few from Gen X to find out what their mobiles do for them and what handset models are popular.

Kunal who is a student of Class Xi owns a Nokia 6085. This flip phone has a FM Radio that Kunal really likes. He also likes the look of the handset. To him, it is just a way of keeping in touch with his friends.

Amit has a Nokia 6030 is a handset that supports 10 Indian languages and is an unpretentious handset that has easy-to-use functions. He has opted for BSNL as his service provider because he claims, “Government service is the best.” His mobile is useful to keep in touch with his friends.

Hulsi on the other hand has a functional Reliance handset that she prefers because, “it has excellent coverage.” To her, the mobile gives a feeling of security when she is out with friends or is stranded after a class.

Hanging out in a Mall in the middle of the afternoon, these bunch of students who were clearly bunking classes agreed in unison that the looks of the mobile is important but as long as they sustain on a shoe string pocket money paid by their parents, they would rather opt for simple handsets.

In a study recently conducted it was found that males, more than females, rate style and status as important mobile phone benefits while females regard safety and security as more valuable. Prateek exemplifies these findings. He would like to own a Nokia N 73, which at a price tag of Rs 12,000 approximately is something his dad could buy, but he can’t.

Ajay who is a BA student at a leading city college would like to a Nokia N series, “because it looks so cool. But I have to wait till I start earning,” he rues.

While convenience stands on top of the benefits of the mobile for these youngsters, they are also style and status conscious, pocket permitting!!

Source : fonearena.com