That the country is undergoing a very critical period is an already established fact. One major consequence of this is the lower standard of living most Nigerians now readily embrace in a bid to survive.
Since its introduction, the GSM industry has boomed in Nigeria as it remains the major means for communication for the average Nigerian on the street. However, the recession and the consequent downward adjustment in the lifestyle of Nigerians has also affected the smartphone choices of Nigerians.
According to the Country General Manager, Tecno Mobile, Eason Duan, the smartphones market has been affected in two major ways. The first is the prices of phones most commonly sought by Nigerians. Duan said consumers now go for feature phones and smartphones between the range of N25,000 and N30, 000 as against their higher preferences before the recession hit. Although, Nigerians continue to demand phones that can send e-mails, transact business and carry out other activities, they are not willing to part with more than N30,000 on the average. This has led to decreased sales of flagship products, whose prices are going higher by the day.
Secondly, Nigerians do not change their smartphones as frequently as before the recession. “Before now, our consumers normally will change their phones at least twice a year, but everything has changed now.” Duan said. Now, consumers want qualitative devices that can last them longer, leading to decreased sales. In addition, Nigerians are now paying more attention to after-sales care instead of quickly changing faulty devices.
