How long do Americans hold onto their smartphones? That’s the question that Kantar Worldpanel’s 2016 report answered. On average, Americans keep their phones for 22.7 months, while Europeans do so for 21.6 months. The data show an increase by almost two months from when Kantar Worldpanel did a similar report back in 2014.
There is a stark difference between the data gathered among American smartphone users and Chinese smartphone users. The Chinese upgrade their phones faster at an average of 20.2 months. The report attributes this trend to the fact that the smartphone market in China is liquid. Moreover, online shopping is more extensive in the country.
Vocabulary:
stark – striking; complete; obvious
attribute – regard something as being caused by
liquid market – a financial market in which it is easy to buy and sell, and in which a lot of buying and selling takes place
extensive – covering a large area; having a great range
True or False:
- Kantar Worldpanel recently released a report on how long Americans hold onto their phones.
- Americans hold onto their phones for an average of 21.6 months.
- Europeans hold onto their phones or an average of 21.6 months.
- The Chinese upgrade their phones faster at an average 20.2 months.
- Online shopping is more widespread in China.
Express your opinion:
- When choosing a smartphone, are you particular about the brand? Why or why not?
- What is the most popular smartphone brand in your country? Explain why you think it’s very popular there.
- What for you is the most important smartphone innovation in the last 5 years?
- What for you is the worst thing about extensive smartphone use? Discuss.
- How important do you think are smartphones to 7 to 10-year old kids? Explain.
Defend your argument:
- Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. – Pablo Picasso
- Technology has to be invented or adopted. – Jared Diamond
- One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man. – Elbert Hubbard