When shopping for a new phone, I tried a number of handsets at multiple locations to determine which one was the best option for me.
There were a few I liked, including the Galaxy line and the iPhone lineup, but I was curious about what else was available. This included LG and OnePlus as well as Motorola. I examined each and attempted to test out features while viewing the in-store product demo. Some store models were off or the demo mode was buggy on some of the other handsets vying for my business. This was frustrating because I wanted to do my due diligence and make an informed decision.
Then I noticed an oddity that frustrated my search for a new phone. The problem was device demo holder. The safety mechanism was interfering with my ability to properly hold the device in my hand so I could determine whether I actually liked the device. This was as important as or more so than how the phone looked, felt, and performed during examination. After giving it some thought, it seemed silly that a financial decision (~1000 or more!) was affected by something so trivial. This is similar to thickness of the device. You are going to have a case on it!
After figuring out what the source of my frustration was, I went back through the lineup with this knowledge. The phones I did not like were easier to eliminate and I was able to concentrate on the devices that would be applicable to my needs, taste, and budget. What was interesting under these conditions was that the Galaxy phones and the iPhone felt better in my hand than the other models. This made me consider how many people made their buying decision on this simple fact instead of something that really mattered to them. In sales, getting the customer to hold onto an item is a sales tactic because possession over a period of time encourages the mind to develop ownership over the physical object. Did iPhones, the Galaxy S series and the Note win converts and maintain retention using this simple oddity or is it just an observation that I am making alone?
As I was considering which handset I was most comfortable with, I remembered that at a few of the locations the anti-theft clamp was stuck on some of the phones. Not only was the phone difficult to hold, I could not even lift the phone from the display. This was never a problem with a Samsung device or the iPhone during my visit. Was this just a coincidence?
