Survey: Romanians prefer new phones over second – hand ones even if purchasing power is low

Romanians prefer to buy new gadgets despite the low purchasing power in the country, found a recent study from GfK. As many as 82 percent of the Romanians who own a phone said they bought the gadget new. Their choice of new gadgets is supported by the frequent discounted offers from mobile telephony operators active in Romania. According to GfK, the total market for mobile phones and smartphones went up by 18 percent in the first half of 2013 on the same period of 2012, totaling EUR 88 million. The new smartphone models largely contributed to the increased in this segment, while the drop in demand for mobile phones somehow offset the increase. Romanians who use pre-paid cards are more likely to buy a second hand phone, as they are more prone to saving money, if they don't spend that much on mobile telephony services on a monthly basis. Those who have a monthly subscription, as well people who live in Bucharest are more likely to buy new phones, the survey found. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Photoxpress.com)