Survey Finds 30% of US iPhone Users Damaged Devices in Past Year

Photo Credit: Apple

On Friday, the newest generation of Apple's smartphone will be dropped into the hands of the first eager customers who will drop just under $700 Canadian to navigate the iPhone 5's Retina display touchscreen. With an average 23 Apple iPhone 5s being pre-ordered every second during the first 24 hours, the new device will join a global mobile environment already flooded with earlier iterations of the Apple's handheld that redefined the term 'smartphone' since 2007. While the sale, resale, phone plans and accessory options have conjured up a self-contained Apple economy, there has also been another source where a major dollar figure relates to the iPhone over six generations of acceptance. The number 5.9 billion dollars US is attached to the damage of pricey Apple iPhone devices in the United States alone.

A number compiled through the assistance of comScore estimates by retail warranty supplier SquareTrade (who may have a vested interest in publishing some key figures in respect to one of the most popular smartphone devices on the market) equated the 5.9-billion dollar cost for damaged iPhones to more than twice the amount spent for toilet paper in the United States. The overall cost estimate takes into account repair, replacement and insurance deductibles to Apple iPhone products since first sold in 2007. Damage to Apple iPhone devices is recorded as 10 times more likely than either through loss or theft.

Presenting a snapshot into the life of an Apple iPhone, SquareTrade's survey took a sample group of 2,000 Apple iPhone users and discovered that 30% have stated that their devices have been damaged in a past 12-month period. The most prevalent occurrences for iPhone damage includes being dropped by hand or lap, falling into a body of water (lake, swimming pool or even a toilet), having fluid spilt on the device and being knocked off a table. The survey also revealed that half of iPhone users under the age of 35 years old have encountered a situation the resulted in harm coming to their Apple smartphone device. Since a sizable portion of Apple's market appeals to younger users who like to think their iPhone into risky territories, 50 percent loss for the under-35 demographic is not too much of a surprise.

SquareTrade has also recorded data from users who have chosen to continue operating their Apple iPhone devices even after sustaining harm. 11 percent of survey participants indicate they have proceeded to use their iPhone when the screen was cracked and another 6 percent admitted to taping their devices as a favourable remedy over costly repairs or replacement. These damaged Apple iPhone devices will undoubtedly receive far reduced trade-in prices if accepted at all. On the Ebay Instant Sale site, a fully-functioning 16-gigabyte iPhone 4S with USB connecting cable will garner $310.80 in Canadian funds. If in fair condition but still operational, a Apple iPhone 4S will only fetch $155.40 during a trade-in. Interestingly enough, a non-functioning 16-gigabyte iPhone 4S device in poor condition will still be worth $20.00 to Ebay through the Staples Canada supported Ebay program.

Such as the case with many other cell phone and smartphone devices, the steady aftermarket is devoted to providing accessories capable of protecting against the before-mentioned damage. In the case of SquareTrade, a warranty for an iPhone device allows for a user to easily repair or replace their device. In the United States, SquareTrade offers a 2-year protection plan for $99 and a 3-year warranty for $129. A $50 deductible would also need to be paid when a user files a claim. Damage against an accidental damage to a smartphone device is fairly rare in the marketplace. AppleCare is also in place as an extended warranty for iPhone devices but does not cover damages such as a cracked screen or water.

SquareTrade CMO Ty Shay words in regards to the already $5.9 billion industry was served with a cautionary warning predicting growth in the damaged iPhone economy. "As smart phones continue to improve, they become more tightly integrated into our busy lives leaving them vulnerable to accidents around the clock," said Shay who also expressed intrigue for what the iPhone 5 device with its narrower profile and larger screen will affect the trend.

Apple iPhone 5 Ripens with Several Improvements

Attracting the world to San Francisco, a small cell phone once again becomes a lure for every tech-savvy consumer. Apple Inc gathered media for an announcement for their newest evolution within a marketplace they have grown from newbie to industry benchmark in just a few years. Revealed as the next successor in their line of iPhone products, the Apple iPhone 5 made its public debut.

Not entirely revealing to the naked eye, the differences in the new generation iPhone compared to the iPhone 4S eventually become apparent. 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than the device's predecessor, the Apple iPhone 5 more compact nature does not come at the expense of delivering apps, videos and games. Growing from 3.5 to 4 inches, a new retina display touch screen on the iPhone 5 provides better HD quality viewing for the user of all interactive contact.

As users indulge begin to indulge into the new device, operation of the Apple iPhone 5 has the potential of being a more fulfilling experience than ever. For people living in high-speed 4G LTE areas, the Apple iPhone 5 is now optimized to use the networks for faster download capacities. Conventional WiFi will remain with the Apple iPhone 5  Apple's new A6 chip, the iPhone 5 runs with almost twice the performance of the previous model. An improved battery in the iPhone 5 complements the new processing chip with greater power storage. Up to 8 hours of 4G web browsing is reported to be possible with the new Apple handheld unit.

Other hardware highlights of the iPhone 5 includes the inclusion of 3 microphones and new HD cameras on both sides of the device. On the back, an 8-megapixel featuring a 25 percent smaller size and improved optics will continue to prove popular for high detail photography as well as 1080p HD video with better image stabilization. The ability to create panorama shooting will be a new quirky feature all iPhone 5 users can easily adapt to out-and-about. A forward-facing has been upgraded from VGA to 720p HD quality for crisper images while using video conferencing feature FaceTime.

Another notable change comes with the connecting ports and the peripherals needed to interact with the new Apple iPhone. A "Lightning" connector and cable is said to be more durable and smarter than the connection used on previous iPhone models. An adaptor will be sold to allow the Lightning port to connect with traditional 30-pin Apple compatible items. The Apple EarPods are redesigned for more comfortable, individualized listening.





While some Apple product users are already familiar with IOS 6 platform, the potential of Apple's recently introduced operating system truly comes to life in the iPhone 5. Enhanced Siri software, voice navigation for driving and the ticket and gift card electronic storage solution Passbook are all found inside the new Apple device. For greater personalization and customization, Apple's immense App Store of IOS 6 compatible programs will be open to the iPhone 5.

Going on sale September 21st, pre-ordering of the Apple iPhone 5 starts on September 14th. The Apple iPhone 5 will come in three price ranges dictated by internal storage capacity. With two-year cell phone service activation in the United States, the iPhone 5 16-gigabyte model will start at $199. A 32-gigabyte model at $299 and a 64-gigabyte iPhone 5 at $399. In Canada, the online Apple store is listing the iPhone 5 at a starting price of $699 without a phone plan (price does not specify gigabyte amount). At this time, only Bell Mobility has advertised the new iPhone for sale but Rogers, Fido and Koodo are said to be supporting the upcoming Apple device. The Apple iPhone will be sold with black and white casings.

Apple Inc. has succeeded in keeping some electronic consumers on a product treadmill that consists of buying the latest and greatest technology. Since the first iPhone was released in the United States during 2007, the tactic has worked well for Apple so far. The introduction of the iPhone 5 is expected to maintain the fanatical following. In NASDAQ closing on the day of the iPhone 5 device's unveiling, Apple stock surged up $9.20 to a $669.79 per share price on expectations that the California headquartered company has again created a product that will win over consumers.

Information and photo source: Apple Inc