$934 for a phone... What's wrong with me.

[rui no onna]

$849 for the phone
$67 in taxes
$18 for a case off Amazon.

I have never spent this much money on a phone before. When the first iPhone came out I purchased it used off Craigslist for about $450 a few days after it came out and that was a bit pricey in 07. The phone was not subsidized then. Since then I have always paid subsidized prices. All my iPhone's through the 4s, my S3 and current S4 were all under $200. Maybe I'm just used to this price. A bit on the fence here. How do you all feel about paying full price for the 6+? I know there are cheaper options but those would feel like a downgrade to my current S4. Any thoughts?

I have always been aware of full device cost. I know that even if I only pay $300-400 upfront, AT&T will easily recover their subsidy from the thousands spent on service. I'm actually glad they're not forcing subsidized plans on everyone now. I'd much rather save money on service and pay full price for the phone.

I've said this before, the move to lower monthly service plans with device financing or even buy outright instead of the old subsidy model will cause people to re-evaluate their cellphone upgrade and purchasing habits. It will likely cause a lot of folks to delay upgrades or buy less expensive phones and I think we're starting to see it now.

 

[Hal~9000]

After seeing Motorola put the Moto X on sale many times for $300 contract-free... Apples $1,000+ priced phones leave a bad taste in my mouth as a consumer.

I just paid $2800 for a purse

 

[kerrikins]

I have to admit that I am starting to realize how ridiculous the price point is. I mean for just $65 more I could buy a new Macbook Air! It's not about not being able to afford it but more about the intrinsic value. I'm on the verge of cancelling my order. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not looking for immature moronic comments (Mac Rumors specializes in those) but more intelligent discussion of what is the real value of the device.

$849 for the phone
$67 in taxes
$18 for a case off Amazon.

I have never spent this much money on a phone before. When the first iPhone came out I purchased it used off Craigslist for about $450 a few days after it came out and that was a bit pricey in 07. The phone was not subsidized then. Since then I have always paid subsidized prices. All my iPhone's through the 4s, my S3 and current S4 were all under $200. Maybe I'm just used to this price. A bit on the fence here. How do you all feel about paying full price for the 6+? I know there are cheaper options but those would feel like a downgrade to my current S4. Any thoughts?

There are a couple of things, for me.

1. I want a new phone. (No, I don't ~need~ a new phone, but I want one.)

2. I am with a carrier that requires plan upgrades now with hardware upgrades, and that would necessitate an increase of $65 a month if I kept the same amount of data (6gb). (Yes, I'm in Canada). I'd spend more on contract if I got the phone at the 'discounted' $365 than I would if I buy it outright.

3. I anticipated this purchase and set aside the money for it.

That said, the iPhone 6S will have to blow me out of the water next year to get me to change, I think. I went from the 4 to the 5, then to the 5s and now to the 6, but I think this will keep me happy for a couple of years.

 

[miss.manson]

It's not a phone. It's a pocket computer that you can also make calls on. 1000 for a computer is nothing new.

I love this comment. I completely agree

 

[rui no onna]

After seeing Motorola put the Moto X on sale many times for $300 contract-free... Apples $1,000+ priced phones leave a bad taste in my mouth as a consumer.


Image

Apple's iPhones have always been expensive. Granted, US folks are already getting a bit of a break even before subsidies. Compared to China, MSRP of the iPhone in the US is actually lower.

A lot of folks in other countries pay full price cash for their phones so if you look at global marketshare, the iPhone is lagging quite a bit behind Android. The only reason the iPhone has such a large marketshare in the US is because of subsidies (and now device financing options). Carriers in the US seem to have subscribers trained to sign away 2 years of their life (and at least around $1,500 in service fees per line) in exchange for a $200-450 discount on their smartphones.

 

[shaunmed]

I felt the same way, but I try not to think about it. Subsidized or not, you'll end up paying for it one way or another.

um no. ive been with the same crappy att for like 15 years. makes no difference if im under contract or not. what am i gonna do go to verizon with that creepy guy on their commercials, um no. or how about sprint with their crappy coverage. seriously cant someone just buy sprint and make them only carry palm and blackberry. t-mobiles just as bad altho their do have that sexy mexican chick that used to play with michael douglasses balls.

 

[cinealta]

Miniaturization. It's basically a micro-computer you can fit in your pocket.

 

[QCassidy352]

I've said this before, the move to lower monthly service plans with device financing or even buy outright instead of the old subsidy model will cause people to re-evaluate their cellphone upgrade and purchasing habits. It will likely cause a lot of folks to delay upgrades or buy less expensive phones and I think we're starting to see it now.

Definitely true for me. The subsidy model makes it seem like a new iPhone costs $200 by hiding the cost in the monthly bill. I always knew that intellectually, but actually being faced with a $900 cost is another thing entirely!

 

[sr1329]

I have to admit that I am starting to realize how ridiculous the price point is. I mean for just $65 more I could buy a new Macbook Air! It's not about not being able to afford it but more about the intrinsic value. I'm on the verge of cancelling my order. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not looking for immature moronic comments (Mac Rumors specializes in those) but more intelligent discussion of what is the real value of the device.

$849 for the phone
$67 in taxes
$18 for a case off Amazon.

I have never spent this much money on a phone before. When the first iPhone came out I purchased it used off Craigslist for about $450 a few days after it came out and that was a bit pricey in 07. The phone was not subsidized then. Since then I have always paid subsidized prices. All my iPhone's through the 4s, my S3 and current S4 were all under $200. Maybe I'm just used to this price. A bit on the fence here. How do you all feel about paying full price for the 6+? I know there are cheaper options but those would feel like a downgrade to my current S4. Any thoughts?

Be smart and find a service without contract. Do the math and you'll see subsidized iPhones cost closer to $1500. Figure out that interest rate. It's legal loan sharkery. Even criminals have better business ethics.

Of course only stupid american consumers can never do the 3rd grade math to figure this out. How come you don't see this subsidized model for phone sales in other countries as prevalent as here? We've always known our public school system couldn't graduate someone from high school with 3rd grade level math ability. That is who they want these expensive luxury devices to be bought by. If they said upfront this is a $950 device people wouldn't buy it.

Personally I have paid around that for Nokia N95 models. And while it is close to a macbook air you can't put a macbook air in your pocket and owning a macbook air the phone supplies 90% of my internet information. It actually is more valuable to me than my laptop. Also it really is a marvel of engineering getting that kind of access to online data and entertainment in something that small. The phone is worth every penny.

 

[accountforit]

Be smart and find a service without contract. Do the math and you'll see subsidized iPhones cost closer to $1500. Figure out that interest rate. It's legal loan sharkery. Even criminals have better business ethics.

Of course only stupid american consumers can never do the 3rd grade math to figure this out. How come you don't see this subsidized model for phone sales in other countries as prevalent as here? We've always known our public school system couldn't graduate someone from high school with 3rd grade level math ability. That is who they want these expensive luxury devices to be bought by. If they said upfront this is a $950 device people wouldn't buy it.

Personally I have paid around that for Nokia N95 models. And while it is close to a macbook air you can't put a macbook air in your pocket and owning a macbook air the phone supplies 90% of my internet information. It actually is more valuable to me than my laptop. Also it really is a marvel of engineering getting that kind of access to online data and entertainment in something that small. The phone is worth every penny.

You will pay the same either way. Calculate the time value of money, 2 years later, for the amount you fork over in the beginning buying a phone outright.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I have to admit that I am starting to realize how ridiculous the price point is. I mean for just $65 more I could buy a new Macbook Air! It's not about not being able to afford it but more about the intrinsic value. I'm on the verge of cancelling my order. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not looking for immature moronic comments (Mac Rumors specializes in those) but more intelligent discussion of what is the real value of the device.

$849 for the phone
$67 in taxes
$18 for a case off Amazon.

I have never spent this much money on a phone before. When the first iPhone came out I purchased it used off Craigslist for about $450 a few days after it came out and that was a bit pricey in 07. The phone was not subsidized then. Since then I have always paid subsidized prices. All my iPhone's through the 4s, my S3 and current S4 were all under $200. Maybe I'm just used to this price. A bit on the fence here. How do you all feel about paying full price for the 6+? I know there are cheaper options but those would feel like a downgrade to my current S4. Any thoughts?

I felt the same, but the way I justified the price was that I have had my 4S for 3 years now. I'll keep the 6+ for about the same time. I agree, it's at the $1000 mark for me, because I plan to purchase Apple Care for this iPhone which I have never purchased for my 4S and my parents' 5S.

I'm also upgrading my MBA next year when the new one gets released.

$1000 is a lot of money. I'm saying I'm willing to cough up the money, but will I rethink it come Thanksgiving when I purchase the official unlocked version 6+.

 

[sr1329]

You will pay the same either way. Calculate the time value of money, 2 years later, for the amount you fork over in the beginning buying a phone outright.

Do the math again. The subsidy is $450. That is a constant across models. What you pay in service over and above I between $40-50/month. You can do Cricket for $45/month ATT Network. You can do Verizon Allset for about $55/month. You can do T-mobile for $60/month. All of these plans offer 2.5-3GB LTE data monthly. Postpaid for a single line costs from $90-120/month. I was at $120 with Verizon.

Even take the lowest number of $40 more/month. That's $800 for $450 given 20 month upgrade cycles and realistically 24 months given these phones come out the same time each year. That can be as high as $60/month or even higher. That would be $1200 for $50. Calculate out that interest rate. It's higher than any rent a center or any loan shark. It's anywhere from a 50% to 80% interest rate.

Is that higher than the time value of money from even the worst 29.99% credit card? Actually do the math don't just guesstimate to the benefit of these companies who are hoping you are that stupid and/or lazy.

 

[accountforit]

Do the math again. The subsidy is $450. That is a constant across models. What you pay in service over and above I between $40-50/month. You can do Cricket for $45/month ATT Network. You can do Verizon Allset for about $55/month. You can do T-mobile for $60/month. All of these plans offer 2.5-3GB LTE data monthly. Postpaid for a single line costs from $90-120/month. I was at $120 with Verizon.

Even take the lowest number of $40 more/month. That's $800 for $450 given 20 month upgrade cycles and realistically 24 months given these phones come out the same time each year. That can be as high as $60/month or even higher. That would be $1200 for $50. Calculate out that interest rate. It's higher than any rent a center or any loan shark. It's anywhere from a 50% to 80% interest rate.

Is that higher than the time value of money from even the worst 29.99% credit card? Actually do the math don't just guesstimate to the benefit of these companies who are hoping you are that stupid and/or lazy.

Not to toot my own horn, but I hold an MS in Accounting. I calculate risk and proposal acceptance on a daily basis.

Depending on the plans people want, buying outright is not always the best option. It's nothing that a simple spreadsheet can't solve.

I left a contract 2 years ago, bought my phone outright, and moved to Straight Talk at $45 a month. This time around I signed a Verizon contract for $60 a month. Why? Because the cost over 2 years was almost identical to Straight Talk factoring in initial cash outlay. Therefore, with Verizon, I have an extra $450 to invest right now instead of spending it on a phone. The time value of that money makes signing a contract a smarter option.

 

[cfedu]

There are a couple of things, for me.

1. I want a new phone. (No, I don't ~need~ a new phone, but I want one.)

2. I am with a carrier that requires plan upgrades now with hardware upgrades, and that would necessitate an increase of $65 a month if I kept the same amount of data (6gb). (Yes, I'm in Canada). I'd spend more on contract if I got the phone at the 'discounted' $365 than I would if I buy it outright.

3. I anticipated this purchase and set aside the money for it.

That said, the iPhone 6S will have to blow me out of the water next year to get me to change, I think. I went from the 4 to the 5, then to the 5s and now to the 6, but I think this will keep me happy for a couple of years.

As much as I like iPhones, I can not justify getting another one. I see no point in paying full price for a iPhone when i can get an android for free. Fido left me with 2 options, free Nexus 5 with a 5$ monthly rebate or 250$ for an 5S but my monthly plan would go up 40$. To top it off the new plan would have less data.

If my phone company decides to give me an iPhone without raising my bill, I will gladly take it. Till then I will have to say bye bye IPhone

 

[alphaod]

I remember back in the day I paid $1200 I think it was for a Nokia E90 Communicator.

Everyone thought I was crazy because most people back then did free contract phones.

Now look where we have come. I miss my Communicator

 

[Pluto88888]

Same thing here
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB Gold £789
iPhone 6 Plus otterbox case £33
iPhone 6 Plus Glass screen protector £6

Total £828 $1357 in Dollars wow

 

[aluren]

I also paid full price for the iPhone 6+ 128gb, $1,034. For something I use so often everyday, it is absolutely worth it. I would even pay more if I have to.

 

[dieburnbot]

Yeah, it's a lot, but besides my bed perhaps, there are few things I use more (or more often, at least) than my cell phone.

This, my phone is with me constantly and I use it all the time. That alone justifies the price for me.

 

[princealyy]

All premium phones cost this much, Galaxy S5, Note 3/4, iPhone 6, 6+, etc.

At least with the iPhone you can buy it new, use it for 11 1/2 months and get most of your money back.

I bought the iPhone 5s for $702 (with tax) sold it for 500 about 2 weeks ago... cost me 202 for a year.

$16.83/ month.
$40/ month for unlimited service with T-Mobile.
$56.83/ month with the cost of phone included.

Let me know what you think I am missing.

For the iPhone 6+ here is what I think it will cost me, about $400 for two years of usage (I will skip the "s" variation this year I am sure, I usually skip, but the 5.5" screen was something not to be missed)
$17.39 (23 months of usage)
$40
57.39/ month
+4.12 (if i add applecare)

Wish I could have had the 64 gb, but ended up with 16gb since I wanted to get it launch date.

 

[jk4lebron23]

I didn't think about it until they charged me today (technically yesterday now) for it...then it sank in and hurt a little.

Oh well, it's something I use all day everyday so it'll pay for itself!

 

[Sanooya]

I Paid $1024

Yet I will still pay for cases and other accessories


It's a big amount of money yes.

But I will be using this iPhone for 2 years, and I pretty much do everything through it

So Yes I would say it's worth it, but it still somehow hurts

 

[ron7624]

I have to admit that I am starting to realize how ridiculous the price point is. I mean for just $65 more I could buy a new Macbook Air! It's not about not being able to afford it but more about the intrinsic value. I'm on the verge of cancelling my order. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not looking for immature moronic comments (Mac Rumors specializes in those) but more intelligent discussion of what is the real value of the device.

$849 for the phone
$67 in taxes
$18 for a case off Amazon.

I have never spent this much money on a phone before. When the first iPhone came out I purchased it used off Craigslist for about $450 a few days after it came out and that was a bit pricey in 07. The phone was not subsidized then. Since then I have always paid subsidized prices. All my iPhone's through the 4s, my S3 and current S4 were all under $200. Maybe I'm just used to this price. A bit on the fence here. How do you all feel about paying full price for the 6+? I know there are cheaper options but those would feel like a downgrade to my current S4. Any thoughts?

You will pay that no matter how you go about it. Subsidized phone purchase costs more over the course of 2 years. Now with the new additional upgrade fees... Well.. Buying the phone outright is the cheapest way to go, but guess what? You can't buy one now. Apple won't start offering unlocked phones for a month or two. Yup, your point on pricing is spot on.

 

[Grolubao]

MotoG costs $200... It's the same for me, I cannot justify the price anymore

 

[nfl46]

$934 for a phone... What's wrong with me.

It is pretty pricey. You save money in the long run, especially if you aren't on the two year contract, but it's just a hard pill to swallow knowing you paid THAT much upfront. Personally, you should have waited. In a month or so, you'll be able to get it cheaper on Swappa or something. I never keep my phones for two years so paying full price is kinda pointless for me. I decided to wait until I see reasonable prices online by people wanting to sell their devices.

 

[AdonisSMU]

MotoG costs $200... It's the same for me, I cannot justify the price anymore

Why didnt you get that phone?