Mobile phones: An Accessory
When mobile phones were released, they offered the basic features of allowing people to keep in touch through calls and text messages. However, over the years due to the development of advanced technology, mobile phones soon offered a staggering number of features that allowed users to not only exchange information easily but to also access the Internet, listen to music, buy stuff online etc. 
Due to the existence of such features, mobile phone prices shot up. Naturally, only those were able to purchase these high-end mobile phones, who could afford them. Cell phones with those basic features are still in the market and are extremely low priced, allowing those with limited means to own a cell phone.
This clearly spells out the fact that mobile phones today are a form of status symbols. These days one is embarrassed to use an inexpensive cell phone in public as opposed to a sleek one that cost more than a one-way airplane ticket. The reason is clear – if you have an expensive cell phone, you have money and if you don’t, your place on the social ladder is right at the bottom. Flashing the new model of cell phone in the market is a privilege enjoyed by a select few.
However, for businessmen and other professionals, these high end devices are a necessity as they hold features that make the business man’s life easier and the transaction of his deals faster. Mobile phones are also used as accessories mostly by teenagers and young adults. According to a survey, most of them did not know how to use the cell phone and were not aware of the features offered by it but were happy to own it as it served as an additional accessory. It’s more important for them to look ‘cool’ in front of their peers instead of actually buying something which they have a use for.
Mobile phones are increasingly being used to attract attention by attaching shiny phone charms onto them or plastering them with glittering rhinestones. Keeping in mind status symbols, a number of celebrities are associated with mobile brands. This makes those brands even more attractive to the users and adds to the status symbol factor. For example- Oprah Winfrey and Barrack Obama are associated with Blackberry.
More than status symbols, cell phones have taken on the form of becoming style statements. Using the same phone as their favorite celebrity allows people to feel a sense of connection and affiliation to the celebrity. This shared affiliation allows users to feel as though they have something in common with the famous people with whom they associate the particular brand. Mobile phones that are advertised and endorsed by popular celebrities are also bought more often due to the same reason.
The validity of such claims, that is, of mobile phones being status symbols is questioned on a regular basis. Apart from those interested in “showing off”, those that are genuinely interested in newer technology are also known to buy the latest models in the market. As mentioned above, they are also bought by a large number of business men as it is a necessity for them and last but not the least, it is bought by celebrities, merely because they can. Cell phone users must keep this in mind. Buy something which is useful to you, not merely because its the jazziest new thing on the block.