Even criminals have standards

Stealing Smartphones? Thieves Say “No Thanks” to Android

Even criminals have standards.

Smartphone theft is exploding across major cities — but the thieves have spoken, and their preferences are… brutally honest. According to new reports out of London, criminals are outright rejecting Samsung and other Android devices, even returning them to victims on the spot.

And the reason why? Simple economics.

The Rise of Phone Snatching in the UK

Last year alone, London police logged 117,211 stolen phones — nearly 320 every single day.

But a strange pattern is emerging:

When thieves accidentally grab an Android, they give it back.

Seriously.

Real Stories, Real Rejection

Case #1 — Sam’s Samsung:

A Londoner named Sam had his camera, beanie, and Samsung lifted by a group of eight thieves. Moments later, one robber turned around, handed back the Samsung, and said:

“Don’t want no Samsung.”

Ouch.

Case #2 — Mark’s Galaxy Throwaway:

Another victim, Mark, had his Samsung stolen by a thief on an e-bike. Minutes later, the thief examined the phone, shrugged, and threw it onto the street before riding off.

Mark recovered it unharmed but admitted:

“I felt a bit rejected. My poor phone.”

Why Thieves Don’t Want Android Phones

Cybersecurity analysts summed it up perfectly:

iPhones = High Resale Value

Androids = Not worth the effort

Jake Moore of ESET explained:

“Apple devices have a higher secondhand market value. It makes more economic sense to target iPhones.”

Even criminals understand market demand.

But Don’t Relax — Android Theft Still Happens

While thieves prefer iPhones, Android users still face risks.

Fortunately, Google has been rolling out powerful anti-theft protections, including:

🛡 Theft Detection Lock

Automatically locks your phone if it senses it being snatched — such as a grab-and-go from a bike or scooter.

🔐 Remote Lock

Allows you to lock the device from anywhere, even if the thief disables Wi-Fi or mobile data.

📍 Find My Device Network

Now works similarly to Apple’s network, leveraging millions of Android devices to help locate lost phones.

The Cybersecurity Angle That Matters

This story is funny — but the underlying message isn’t:

Criminals follow the money.

Cybercriminals follow the data.

Androids may not be the hottest item on the street, but:

• They still hold your emails

• Your banking apps

• Your photos

• Your digital identity

So whether thieves toss it on the pavement or not, protecting your device is essential.

Bottom Line:

If you own an iPhone, thieves want it.

If you own an Android, thieves might return it — but that doesn’t mean you’re safe.

No matter the device, lock it down.

Your data is worth more than your phone.