Smartphones are the most stolen gadgets, accounting for 65% of electronic devices. Apple iPhone 5 tops the rating of the most stolen smartphones, theft rate is 2.1%, according to AlfaStrakhovanie analytical center.
AlfaStrakhovanie analytical center conducted a study of thefts of phones, smartphones, navigators, e-books, laptops and tablets in the period from June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014, insured under the “Purchase Protection” program.
Smartphones are the most stolen devices, accounting for 65% of all thefts. The second place is occupied by cell phones – 18%, the third place is occupied by tablets – 10%. Next in descending order are e-books – 5%, laptops – 2%.
AlfaStrakhovanie Analytical Center compiled a ranking of the most frequently stolen smartphones as part of the study. Theft rate is the ratio of stolen smartphones to the total number of insured devices and reflects the owner’s real risk of losing their gadget.
The average incidence of smartphone thefts in AlfaStrakhovanie portfolio was 0.3%. Topping the list of the most stolen smartphones is the Apple Iphone 5, the probability of losing a smartphone of this model as a result of illegal actions is 2.1%. In second place in the ranking is a smartphone from Korean manufacturer Samsung – Galaxy S4 mini, with a frequency of 1.8%. Apple’s Iphone 4s was also at the bottom of the chart 1.7% .
The HTC Desire 500 Dual Sim and Huawei Ascend P6 1.6% share the fourth and fifth positions in the ranking. Next up is the Apple Iphone 5s 1.5% . Samsung Galaxy S III 1.3% , HTC One X 1.1% , Samsung Note 3 0.9% , Nokia Lumia 800 and Sony Experia ZL 0.7% each .
According to AlfaStrakhovanie research, theft rates of mobile devices and smartphones increase significantly in the summer months – theft rates exceeded the six-month average by 40% in June and 27% in July. The average frequency across the two categories combined for the year was 0.25%. In June and July – 0,35% and 0,32%, respectively. There was also an increase in the frequency of thefts in September and November, with figures of 0.30% and 0.27%. The quietest months for the year were January 0.15% and February 0.17% .
| № | Electronic device | Share of thefts in the total number % |
| 1 | Smartphones | 65% |
| 2 | Cell phones | 18% |
| 3 | Tablets | 10% |
| 4 | E-books | 5% |
| 5 | Laptops | 2% |
Most stolen smartphones
| № | Model | Frequency % |
| 1 | Apple Iphone 5 | 2,1% |
| 2 | Samsung Galaxy S4 mini | 1,8% |
| 3 | Apple Iphone 4s | 1,7% |
| 4-5 | HTC Desire 500 Dual Sim | 1,6% |
| 4-5 | Huawei Ascend P6 | 1,6% |
| 6 | Apple Iphone 5s | 1,5% |
| 7 | Samsung Galaxy S III | 1,3% |
| 8 | HTC One X | 1,1% |
| 9 | Samsung Note 3 | 0,9% |
| 10-11 | Nokia Lumia 800 | 0,7% |
| 10-11 | Sony Experia ZL | 0,7% |
“Our product has been on the market since early 2013, so we don’t yet have the ability to compare the change in smartphone and cell phone theft rates over a relatively long period. But on the basis of statistics, we can conclude that the frequency of theft of devices is several times higher than the frequency of theft of apartments and houses”, says Irina Karaeva, director of property insurance department of “AlfaStrakhovanie”.-The reasons for the activity of thieves are quite simple: the high price and the extremely simple process of subsequent sale make phone theft extremely “interesting” and, in fact, refocus from stealing items such as purses, handbags. The second process is also influenced by the mass use of bank cards – most people do not carry large sums of cash, so the phone is the most expensive accessory.
Sales of insurance product “Purchase Protection” started in the beginning of 2013 in the largest networks of mobile retail. The offer covers smartphones, cell phones, navigators, e-books, notebooks, tablets.
Why are the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 mini targeted as the most stolen smartphones worldwide, and what factors contributed to the surge in gadget thefts during the month of June?