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A study by Comparis shows that many people give up updating their smartphone because “the process is too complicated or their smartphone is too old to benefit from it”.
“Since 2018, manufacturers have significantly extended the length of time updates are available for their smartphones. Despite everything, one in four people in Switzerland do not take the time to update their smartphone”, notes a survey by comparis.ch, the internet comparator, which also reveals that “nearly 3% do not never the slightest update, and 23% only do so occasionally”. A sample of 1025 people from all regions of Switzerland was interviewed in March 2022.
“Those who do not install these updates are exposed to the risk of data loss, because regular updates are essential for the security and stability of the devices”, warns Jean-Claude Frick, Digital expert at Compare.
The Comparis survey also reveals differences between men and women. The former perform updates more regularly: “Among those questioned, 78% of men systematically update their device, compared to just 69% of women. Only 19% of men answered “Yes, sometimes”, compared to 27% of women. When it comes to people who never update their device, there is no significant gender difference,” the press release details.
Frequency of smartphone updates according to gender.
Comparis.ch
It is in the age groups that the differences are most considerable: “Nearly 6% of 56-74 year olds never update the software of their smartphone, against barely 1% of 18-35 year olds and 2 % of 36-55 year olds.
Technical improvements
The reasons why people update their smartphone are varied. Most often, “it is to benefit from technical improvements”: 76% of respondents do it systematically or occasionally for this reason.
Reasons why smartphones are updated.
Comparis.ch
Data protection is the reason cited in second place, by 57% of respondents. The possibility of having the latest features completes the podium.
Too complicated
Comparis sought to understand why some people never update their smartphones. The main responses are that “the process is too complicated or their smartphone is too old to benefit from an update”.
“Manufacturers would do well to simplify the update process as much as possible. Recurring notifications reminding them to keep their phone up to date could encourage users to be more diligent in installing these updates,” concludes the expert.
Users of iOS devices seem to be more security conscious than those with Android. Data from Comparis shows that “78% of people who own an iPhone always install all updates (20% do so only occasionally). For Android, this rate drops to 70% (and 25% occasionally); 3% of owners of an Android device never update their smartphone, compared to 1% of those who have opted for iOS.
(comm/aze)