MEN SPEND TWO DAYS LONGER CHOOSING A MOBILE PHONE THAN WOMEN

• Men spend nearly eight days choosing a mobile on average, while women take more than five and a half days, and four in ten pick the first one they see[1] 
• Renters living with their partner or friends take just over six days to choose a home[2], but more than than six and a half days selecting their new mobile phone[1] 
• Getting a longer-lasting battery is the biggest motivation for people to upgrade their phone, with 5G and more storage the next top reasons[3]  
• Uswitch.com offers a helpful comparison guide for smartphone users struggling to pick a new handset.

Men spend two days longer choosing a new mobile phone than women on average, with four in ten females (43%) picking the first device they see[1], according to new research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.

On average men take seven days and 19 hours choosing a handset, compared to women who spend five days and 17 hours doing so. There is also a large generational divide, with the over-55s taking just five days picking a phone, while younger consumers spend seven days and 19 hours deliberating[1].

By contrast, women take half a day longer than men to choose a house to rent. On average, female renters took seven days and seven hours to choose where to live, while men took six days and 19 hours[2].

Some people even find it easier to choose a place to live than selecting the right mobile phone.

Almost half of renters (49%) spend more time picking their phone than they do choosing their home. With those renting their property with a partner or friends taking an average of six days and seven hours to choose their home, while consumers spent six days and seventeen hours selecting which handset was right for them[2].

Nearly two thirds of renters (62%) managed to pick their home within two days, but fewer consumers (61%) were able to pick a mobile phone in that time[2].

A quarter of people (27%) planning to upgrade their phone said a longer-lasting battery was most important, while 13% wanted to get 5G, and 12% were keen on more storage[3].

One in ten people (10%) say they currently have a 5G phone[4] and 16% of consumers plan to upgrade to a 5G phone this year[5], meaning that more than a quarter of consumers – almost 13 million people – could have fifth-generation capable handsets by the end of the year[6].

Uswitch.com recommends that anyone considering getting a 5G contract should consult coverage maps for their area. 5G is currently available from at least one operator in almost 100 cities and towns in the UK[7].

If you are struggling to decide which phone is right for you, visit Uswitch’s handset comparison table here to compare the different smartphones currently available.

Ru Bhikha, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Choosing a new mobile phone is not something that men take lightly, spending two days longer than women picking their next device.

“However, when it comes to choosing a place to live, men are more cavalier, taking half a day less time than women to pick a home to rent.

“The fact that some people put more thought into choosing a phone than their home shows just how important these devices are to us. And with top-tier smartphones costing over a grand, it is right that people are taking their time in deciding which offers the best value for money.

“Getting a longer-lasting battery and 5G are two of the most important things to consumers when they look to upgrade their phones, with more than seven million people saying they plan to get a 5G phone this year.

“Remember that upgrading to a 5G phone doesn’t guarantee you 5G speeds, so check coverage maps for your area or talk to your provider before making the commitment.”

Find out how you could save nearly £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.