One of the most popular pastimes and hobbies of a big majority of mobile phone owners are customizing their phones. Personalizing a mobile phone has grown into a multi-billion dollar business worldwide. People are willing to pay for themes, wallpapers, casings, and various types of ringtones in order to make their mobile phones stand out from the rest. They even buy various accessories, charms and nifty little holders to complete their phones look.

What compels people to spend money just to customize a piece of electronic equipment?

One of the most compelling reasons that have been forwarded by researchers regarding the obsession with mobile phone customization is that mobile phones have the capability to be contextual. Because of its portability, people can carry mobile phones wherever they go. They can bring it to a business meeting, to a date, into movies, on a vacation, even to church it has become a permanent fixture of our daily lives. This pervasive nature of mobile phones and ready at hand characteristic can make people establish a certain bond with their mobile phones. This connection can be manifested in personalizing their mobile phones because they have begun to see this electronic equipment as an entity that is always there for them.

Another possible reason for the growing phone customization trend is with regards to the special relationship that people establish with their mobile phones. As previously mentioned, people carry their phones in almost any imaginable place, it is a constant companion to them. It becomes a natural progression of this close proximity for people to start customizing their phones to reflect their personality, mood or disposition. Putting a fashion statement is also a part of this. They want their phones to a more sartorial compliment to their wardrobes. For example, fashion conscious women would opt to change the faceplate of their phones to a color that would better match their clothes. There is even a new line of Nokia phones that are specifically aimed at fashionistas complete with tasteful leather or cloth trimmings and firmer emphasis on style more than function.

Another reason that has been cited for the phone customization fad could be the simplest but no less valid that mobile phones have become a status symbol. Much like having the latest and most popular pair of shoes having the latest model mobile phone is a sure way of getting noticed and being acknowledged as being part of the in crowd. Of course, the more personalized your phone gets, the more in you become. For example, Paris Hilton, in an effort to both stand out and flaunt her wealth, had her mobile phone encrusted with many semi-precious stones. By doing so, she has made the ultimate personal statement and elevated the status symbol of mobile phones to a new level.

But for whatever reasons people may decide to personalize their mobile phones, one thing is very important. As long as you are having fun tinkering with your mobile phones appearance and that you are not making anything offensive to other people then go ahead and personalize to your hearts content.