Press Release | 07 Aug 2023

This is your phone’s life: To celebrate the launch of Lifetime Service Promise, Vodafone reveals our phones on average travel over 8,000 thousand miles, make 792 calls and share our bed 331 times in their lifetime

New research reveals that Brits have (on average) 18 phones in their lifetime, taking them to 166 BBQs, to 38 birthday parties, on 144 holidays and to 79 weddings collectively.

  • Our phones will go on 86 dates, travel over 8,000 miles and even share our beds an average of 331 times in their lifetime.
  • Brits have on average 18 phones in their lifetime, taking them to 166 BBQs, to 38 birthday parties, on 144 holidays and to 79 weddings collectively.
  • But 45% of the country claim they wish their phones lasted longer, while 40% admit to feeling sad when their device packs it in and nearly a fifth (16%) not ready to say goodbye.
  • Vodafone announces the UK’s only Lifetime Service Promise – every phone now comes with Battery Refresh and Lifetime Warranty at no extra cost, so phones last longer on Vodafone EVO.

A new study by Vodafone to celebrate the launch of Lifetime Service Promise reveals people are keeping their devices for longer, with the majority upgrading every four years, compared to every two years five years ago.

The study highlighted that 45% of the country say they wished their device lasted longer, with nearly a fifth (16%) saying they don’t feel ready to say goodbye when their device packs in. Wanting to save money (69%), environmental impact (46%) and sentimental content saved on the device (40%) are the main reasons people want their phones to last longer.

The research reveals just how much our phones experience with us across their lifetimes. They will accompany us on an average of 86 dates, share our bed 331 times and travel 8,313 miles (13,378km) – further than travelling from the UK to Chile. They will make 792 calls, host 2,237 WhatsApp chats and stream 749 hours of music or video. They’ll even take 81 baths, 86 showers and accompany us on 211 trips to the bathroom in their lifetime.

Lifetime Service Promise - branded infographic

With people having up to 18 phones on average in their lifetime, collectively they will go to 166 BBQs, 38 birthday parties, go on 158 road trips, take 144 holidays, attend 79 weddings and 79 festivals, capturing 5,032 photos and 1,569 videos along the way.

With our whole lives kept on our devices and everything they go through, it’s no surprise that half (48%) of mobile phone owners feel that their device deserves a little more TLC to keep going. Battery issues (33%) tops the poll of the most common device problems the nation would like solved, closely followed by slow running (28%) and microphone, speaker and camera issues (21%).

This is why Vodafone has announced the launch of the UK’s only Lifetime Service Promise on Vodafone EVO. The new market-leading offering means every new and refurbished phone comes with Battery Refresh and Lifetime Warranty, so phones last longer with Vodafone, at no extra cost.

Lifetime Warranty covers device repairs against manufacturer faults for as long as customers have a Pay Monthly Airtime Plan. What’s more, customers will also benefit from free battery checks and replacements for up to three years with Battery Refresh, helping to keep phones running at their best for longer.

A Vodafone spokesperson said: “We know how important it is for customers’ devices to stay in the best possible condition for as long as possible, without having to worry about issues such as battery performance or their camera not working.

“Our Lifetime Service Promise means that phones really do last longer with Vodafone, all at no extra cost, giving better value for all our customers on our reliable award-wining network.”

Customers who want to take advantage of Lifetime Service Promise on the latest Samsung Galaxy launch can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 from £17 a month** (£49 upfront cost) with 8GB of mobile data. They can also purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 from £36 a month** (£59 upfront cost) with 8GB of mobile data on Vodafone’s reliable award-winning network.*

Vodafone’s Lifetime Service Promise is available on Vodafone EVO now – the smart way to buy a smartphone. Customers can also take advantage of flexible upgrades, allowing them to get a new phone from three months into their plan, as well as choosing to trade-in their old smartphone to make their next handset more affordable.

Stay up-to-date with the very latest news from Vodafone by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn and signing up for News Centre website notifications. 

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

Research results: A consumer survey conducted in July 2023 by OnePull to 2,000 respondents.

A phone’s lifetime: On average, people upgrade their phone every four years.

Number of phones: based on receiving first phone at 11 and replacing it on average every 4 years until the age of 81.

Vodafone EVO: lets you select a Monthly Device Plan Credit Agreement (3-36 months) with a monthly Airtime Plan. The device price will be the same whatever you choose. Device Plans over 12 months require a 24-month Monthly Airtime Plan. You can pay off your Device Plan early. If you do, you can then keep your Airtime Plan on a 30-day contract or leave. If your Airtime Plan ends for any reason, you will need to keep on paying your monthly Device Plan (either in full or monthly). Terms apply.

UK’s only Lifetime Service Promise: Vodafone is the only network that offers both i) Lifetime Warranty which covers your phone for manufacturer defects provided you have an active pay monthly Airtime plan, and ii) Battery Refresh which offers phone battery health checks & required replacements for up to three years. Terms & conditions apply.

Lifetime Warranty: is an extended warranty covering manufacturer’s defects (on phones purchased via Vodafone directly), provided you have an active pay monthly airtime. Excludes damaged and tampered phones. Terms and conditions apply.

Battery Refresh: replaces your phone’s battery if it fails one of the Battery Refresh Tool tests. Available for up to three years depending on your plan. On phones purchased via Vodafone directly. Excludes damaged and tampered phones. Terms and conditions apply.

Lifetime Service Promise: means a) Lifetime warranty covering manufacturer’s defects, provided you have an active pay monthly airtime + b) Battery refresh replacing your phone’s battery (for 2 – 3 years), if it fails one of the Battery Refresh Tool tests. On phones purchased directly from Vodafone. Terms and exclusions apply.

Upgrade from month three: means a) buying a new Device Plan (which is a credit agreement) and Xtra Plan (which is an Airtime Plan) and b) either (i) paying off the remaining amount on your current Device Plan prior to upgrading, or (ii) paying for your current Device Plan along with your new Device Plan. Subject to credit check, eligibility & terms.

*Reliable, award-winning network: The UK relies on Vodafone as a network provider as it: i) powers critical national infrastructure and 77% of emergency services, ii) has coverage in 99% of UK homes, iii) covers 96% of the UK and iv) has won numerous awards. See full details and awards on our Network page.

**Monthly price shown, plus any out of bundle costs, will increase each April by the CPI rate published in Jan of that year + 3.9%. This will not affect Device Plan payments. Subject to credit check and terms. 18+. Direct debit required. Full terms and conditions and Charges Guide.

About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

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Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

Vodafone Limited

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