In a study which chiefly underscores that smartphone users consider changing their handsets quite a hassle, UK-based analyst firm GfK has revealed that nearly 20 percent of smartphone users would rather change banks than their handsets.

On the basis of its analysis of the factors that prevent smartphone users from switching over to a new operating system, GfK found that the nine countries – the US, the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Brazil, China, and Japan – in which it surveyed the users, the familiarity-of-use of the handsets and their customization with a horde of apps were the two main reasons for which people preferred to continue with their handsets.

It was found that the more comfortable smartphone users become with a particular handset and its operating system, the less are their chances of switching over to a new handset and a new OS.

In response to questions about what made them stick with their current OS, 72 percent of smartphone users said that they not only found their OS easy to use, but were also able to quickly navigate the menu of their handsets.

With the GfK survey results specifically showing that 33 percent smartphone users have no desire to disturb their existing smartphone setup, 29 percent do not want to learn another OS, and 28 percent do not wish to move their content from one smartphone to another, Gfk’s Ryan Garner said: “The barriers to switching smartphones show the importance of the age-old mindset, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’.”