The problem is the the "small print" with carrier costs is hard to calculate accurately. A "independent" phone on a network may or may not be cheaper over time. Calculating the real cost is stupidly difficult. Taxes and fees are not advertised, and things like "line charges" are purposefully hard to figure out. Apple's installment program is zero interest, and their upgrade program, AppleCare+ included, is cheaper than buying outright. But the carrier piece is a puzzle where the subsidization cost is not fully removed from their pricing plans. It is really confusing, apparently by design.