Swappie and Kantar research reveals key role technology plays in Irish peoples lives

When faced with the option of giving up something for a year to keep their smartphone, 1 in 3 Irish people say they would stop eating out. 25% of people say they would ditch physical exercise instead of their beloved smartphone while 16% of respondents say they would forfeit a holiday.   

The study, which was carried out by Europe’s leading destination for buying and selling refurbished iPhones, Swappie and market research company, Kantar reveals the true extent of our reliance on technology and in particular, smartphones. A thousand people responded to the online survey with almost 100% saying they rely on their smartphone for work and for leisure. With easy access to emails and work messages, 50% of people say they use their smartphone as much for work as they do for fun.    

More than a third of Irish people say they use their phone 5 to 10 times a day while 1 in 5 admit to checking it more than 16 times a day. When it comes to what people are using their smartphone for, the options are endless.   

61% say they rely on their phone to choose new clothes, accessories and to get inspiration for home improvements. 45% of respondents now reach for their smartphone to do their weekly grocery shopping. 21% say they turn to their phone to view entertainment while 20% say when it comes to booking trips, their phone is a vital tool.   

Swappie Ireland’s Country Manager, Casper Andersen says ‘We know from our work in Ireland, that Irish people rely heavily on technology and in particular their smartphone. The results of this survey really highlight how the smartphone has started to play an increasingly central role in people’s lives. Many people view their phone as an ally when it comes to their daily tasks, whether they are work or leisure related. Irish people certainly view their smartphone as a companion they don’t want to be separated from. When people do start to feel they want to upgrade their technology, at Swappie we offer an easy, affordable, and trustworthy way to do so’.   

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