Cheap Android Phones Could Cost Telcos Billions in Repairs
They may not boast the brand status and performance of higher-end smartphones, but cheap, bottom-feeder Android phones are attractive options for those unwilling to drop big bucks on a mobile device.
At least, these phones are cheap to us. The companies responsible for servicing the phones are getting the raw end of the deal, according to a recent study.
Hardware failures in cheap Android phones that result in repairs and returns can cost wireless service providers up to $2 billion per year, according to recent data published by WDS research. The report, which was first covered by Reuters, says Android platform fragmentation problems are the main contributor to hardware failures.
Shocka!