Russians develop passion for expensive and stylish cellular phones

Russians are becoming increasingly fastidious when it comes to choosing a new cellular phone

The cellular phone has long become part of our life. Our dependence on the gadgets is getting stronger day in and day out. The cellular phone can put us through to our loved ones, friends and colleagues whenever we want to give them a buzz. The cellular phone can also help us get access to the Internet, park our cars, watch movies and even make arrangements for a wedding ceremony. We can discuss the side-effects of our dependence on cellular phones for hours on end, the situation is likely to remain the same.

The number of cellular phone users is on the rise all over the world including developing countries. However, residents of poor African nations opt for cheap reliable cellular phones with long-lasting batteries. Meanwhile, Americans and Europeans go for the latest models stuffed with state-of-the-art applications. Russians like brand-new cellular toys too.

According to Vedomosti, estimated number of cellular phones bought by Russians in the first half of 2005 ranges from 15.1 million to 16.8 million. The majority of the phones were bought to replace the models that went out of fashion. The same manufacturers maintained their leading positions at the Russian market. Most cell phones sold in Russia were made by Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, SonyEricsson, and Siemens.

Eldar Murtazin, analyst with Mobile Research Group, believes that Russians are becoming increasingly fastidious when it comes to choosing a new cellular phone. According to Mr. Murtazin, just a few years ago the consumer could be happy with a simple model. Nowadays a growing number of consumers demand that a cellular phone be fashionable, flashy and rife with functions. Mr. Murtazin is confident that the Russian consumer never hesitates to pay through the nose for new models. The above assertion mostly applies to residents of the big cities who can regularly afford a new phone and regard it not only as a means of communications but as a luxury item as well.