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Russians develop passion for expensive and stylish cellular phones
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Posted by: Khashyar

"Russians develop passion for expensive and stylish cellular phones"

08/08/2005 15:46

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.

(from pravda.ru)

Posted by: anthonyd

Haha, I agree with this. When my fiancee and I were out shopping for a phone, she was looking at the most expensive models. Of course, she realized their price was extremely high so she did not want it. But the fact she only focused on them and really wanted one aligns with this story =

Posted by: Jason

When I was in Moscow a few weeks ago I was drooling over the MP3 player-phones that we don't even have on the market here in the U.S. They were pretty expensive--the one I liked was over $500. With all the talk about how the average monthly salary in Russia is so low, I wonder how people can afford to buy these things?

Posted by: Jerico

Quote:

With all the talk about how the average monthly salary in Russia is so low, I wonder how people can afford to buy these things?

Jason, Moscow is one of the richest citys in the world.
Many people have money there but probably more of the foreigners own the pricey models of phones.
My wife brought her phone from Russia with her to America but it is worthless here.
Still it is ultra small and cool looking.She paid about 300 dollars for it.
Just now do I see this style of phone for sale around here.
I agree ,there phones are better over there.
Jerry

Posted by: Jason

Yes, I know Moscow is one of the richest cities in the world, but it's not just rich folks in Moscow that are buying these phones. In fact, I was looking at them in a 24-hour Wal-mart type of store on the outskirts of Moscow. There were normal, working-class families buying their groceries in bulk, and looking at $500+ cell phones, which really surprised me. I also saw plenty of students and otherwise not-so-wealthy-looking people on the buses and metro with tiny little phones that had Mp3 players and internet browsers--I spent a lot of time riding the metro and bus system : (