iPhone 6, is it worth 150-200% the price of Android high-end phones?

[jr866gooner]

Been switching back and forth between my old s2 and 5c and both platforms have their pluses.. Android for the freedom of customization out the box and apple for it's very well optimised os and one killer thing for me is the typing and keyboard. The iPhone blitzes the kit kat one no problem.

Lollipop is looking promising on the nexus devices....

 

[sunapple]

You could just give it a try, but if you're anything like me you'll want to switch back in a month or two. At least, that's my experience with Windows Phone and (for a short time) Android. I'd rather use an iPhone 4S than switching platforms again.

 

[seunosewa]

Your Galaxy S4 was laggy not because of the Android OS per se but because of Samsung's Laggy Touchwiz skin, so you should just avoid the Galaxy devices on your list. My HTC phone doesn't lag and is a joy to use.

Since you care about one-handed use, you should go for the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. It has fantastic reviews and is the only small Android phone with flagship performance. Its price in your country is right, too.

 

[skaertus]

Can you buy one from someone in the US and ship it to you? Will it work on your carrier?

It will work, but I cannot have it shipped to Brazil without paying 60% of imports tax, 18% of VAT, 6% of tax over financial operations, social security taxes and duties charged by the customs office. All these taxes are calculated over the price plus the shipping costs (not only the price). So, it will amount to more than 200% of the original price.

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Do you travel? At those prices it might be better to buy one on your next vacation to a country where they are cheaper.

Sometimes I do, but no trip programmed so far.

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If you're able to afford the iPhone, it will give you a better experience than any of the phones you listed. You seem to be like me and "dislike" the Android experience, mainly because companies bloat their software and create fugly interfaces.

The only Android phones I would consider are those running stock Android. The Nexus 6 or Nexus 5 are both great alternatives to iOS. I convinced my old roommate to get the Nexus 5 and he has nothing but good things to say about it. The Nexus 6 is larger, newer, and more expensive than the Nexus 5. It's cheaper than an iPhone, though.

The good thing about running stock Android is that you'll receive updates like iOS. Stock Android devices receive updates the day it's released. The same can't be said about Android phones running alternate OS versions.

There are no Nexus for sale around here. Nexus 5 are all sold out, and Nexus 6 is not available yet.

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I have a Nexus 5 build quality is perfectly fine and doesn't have wobbly buttons not on mine at least, as for battery wouldn't say it's dreadful I can easily get a full day out of mine no problem at all, it really depends on how much you use it.



As it stands atm with Android 5.0 Lollipop battery life is worst than what it was when on 4.4.4 Kitkat, but i think this will be sorted when the 5.0.1 update comes out sometime next week hopefully.



The Nexus 5 is a dam good smartphone for a really good price, even though it now over a year old, it can still hold it own against all current crop smartphones.

I thought Google had improved battery life with the Nexus 5.

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Been switching back and forth between my old s2 and 5c and both platforms have their pluses.. Android for the freedom of customization out the box and apple for it's very well optimised os and one killer thing for me is the typing and keyboard. The iPhone blitzes the kit kat one no problem.

Lollipop is looking promising on the nexus devices....

I thought I would like customization on my cell phone just as Iike it on my computer. However, in the end I just came to the conclusion that this level of customization is too overwhelming on such a small screen. I cannot deal with so many features on a 5" screen without a mouse and a proper keyboard.

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You could just give it a try, but if you're anything like me you'll want to switch back in a month or two. At least, that's my experience with Windows Phone and (for a short time) Android. I'd rather use an iPhone 4S than switching platforms again.

Perhaps. I was shocked by the lack of quality in my past S4 experience. The device was terrible, even though it had great specs. Android itself was not bad, but the interface was terrible. And software available for it was terrible as well. I couldn't stand it and then I forked over US$ 1,000 for an iPhone 5 just to get rid of it.

I wonder if things got any better or if I will have the same experience all over again.

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Your Galaxy S4 was laggy not because of the Android OS per se but because of Samsung's Laggy Touchwiz skin, so you should just avoid the Galaxy devices on your list. My HTC phone doesn't lag and is a joy to use.

Since you care about one-handed use, you should go for the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. It has fantastic reviews and is the only small Android phone with flagship performance. Its price in your country is right, too.

I will never again buy a smartphone from Samsung, given the terrible experience with the then-flagship S4.

The problem with the Sony Xperia is the customized interface. How is it compared to the iPhone in terms of user experience?

 

[sviato]

It makes sense to protect their growing economy in some ways, and remember the reason you can get many Android phones at reasonable prices is that there are Brazil models made in Brazil... Apple surely has enough demand that they could go this route...

I think Apple does have a plant in Brazil now, not sure how that affected prices though.

 

[Naramis]

I think Apple does have a plant in Brazil now, not sure how that affected prices though.

They kept the same prices as if the devices were imported, thus increasing Apple's profit margin while screwing the customer.

I'm brazilian too, and my opinion is that the iPhone competes on equal footing with current Android flagships. However, when you consider the abusive pricing here, you can't justify buying an iPhone. It's only worth it if you buy while traveling to the US or if a friend is traveling and brings it to you.

I bought a Note 4 for $500 less than it would cost to get an iPhone 6 Plus. You could argue that the 6 Plus is better, but not $500 better..

 

[Count Blah]

For that price difference? No, not worth it to me.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

...The problem with the Sony Xperia is the customized interface. How is it compared to the iPhone in terms of user experience?

What do you mean by "customized interface" that causes a problem?
I switched from iPhone to Sony Xperia. I don't regret it. My life is easier, I can customize my phone as I want, can send files through bluetooth, can visit sites with Flash, can download (legal) files from torrent sites, if need rises can read and write a USB memory stick, can extend memory with a memory card etc. And you have a wide range of Sony accessories.

 

[McDaddio]

There is absolutely NO reason to get a non-iPhone if you live in Brazil, especially if you spend any time walking along Paulista Ave or spend any time in Ibirapuera Park.

If you live in one of the outlying regions then it may make some sense if you don't go out much.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Those prices are steep. I bought a $849.00 6+ 64GB Gold yesterday with $99 Apple Care which cost me $1024.41 tax included, Then, today I bought an apple silicone case for it which added another $42.41. That's $1075 and I'm having a hard time believing a phone can get to the $1000 mark.

I'm going to make a full payment on my CC in the next few days because I don't want to see the bill.

 

[Trius]

It is almost the same in other parts of the world (in my country the price is $863). No explanation. It just costs more outside the US. Same with Macs.

Excuse my ignorance.. but what stops someone from buying the phone online using a VPN from a US retailer and having it shipped overseas? Would that not be cheaper? There must be some hurtles that I am unaware of...

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Excuse my ignorance.. but what stops someone from buying the phone online using a VPN from a US retailer and having it shipped overseas? Would that not be cheaper? There must be some hurtles that I am unaware of...

It can be done. The problem arises when the package reaches the country of destination, namely the post office where it is automatically inspected by the customs. If you use another option, like DHL, the package again lands in the hands of the customs officer. It will be delivered in time of course but you will have to pay a check that contains customs duty + TVA.
There is a third option. There are companies that will order for you and deliver the package marked as "gift" to the given address. But it has a price of course.

 

[skaertus]

Excuse my ignorance.. but what stops someone from buying the phone online using a VPN from a US retailer and having it shipped overseas? Would that not be cheaper? There must be some hurtles that I am unaware of...

The customs office will not allow the product in the country unless all taxes and duties are fully paid. And that will cost a lot of money, usually more than the price of the product itself.

 

[lordofthereef]

Apple is great. A 16gb iphone 6 isn't worth $1100 to me. It's that simple. Is it worth a premium? Sure I'll pay a bit more. Not those ridiculous numbers.

 

[Fernandez21]

At those prices, I would get a moto g, it gas a stock expierence and already updated to lollipop. While build and specs aren't up to iPhone standards, performance is very good and is close to $1,000 cheaper.

 

[Darryjr]

I have the g3;HTC m8,and Moto x (2014). The Moto is running newest version of android (lollipop ) and its amazing. Very responsive ,beautiful screen,battery life is great. My other two run great on 4.4.3 but the Moto is flawless. Just my 2 cents. Android has come a long way in past few years.

 

[skaertus]

I have the g3;HTC m8,and Moto x (2014). The Moto is running newest version of android (lollipop ) and its amazing. Very responsive ,beautiful screen,battery life is great. My other two run great on 4.4.3 but the Moto is flawless. Just my 2 cents. Android has come a long way in past few years.

So you would say that the Motorola is the best in the bunch?

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Apple is great. A 16gb iphone 6 isn't worth $1100 to me. It's that simple. Is it worth a premium? Sure I'll pay a bit more. Not those ridiculous numbers.

It is ridiculously expensive here. Steve Jobs once said Brazil has "crazy taxes". He was absolutely right.

 

[Darryjr]

For me personally,i enjoy the moto x the most,camera is ok,g3 camera is great.Problem with all the phones is there is a tradeoff as to whats important to you. Moto is buttery smooth,but so is g3 and m8. The moto will get upgrades the fastest. My wife and mom have the 6, they love it,but for the price you can't go wrong with any of your flagship androids. I personally am not a fan of samdung. Like I said earlier ,android has come a look nh way and run real smooth.

 

[uwdude]

Can you get away with what we used to do sending things to Canada, where you mark the package as used books or papers or something to that effect, or do they actually open the boxes?

 

[skaertus]

Can you get away with what we used to do sending things to Canada, where you mark the package as used books or papers or something to that effect, or do they actually open the boxes?

They have X-ray machines and they do open the boxes.

Well, you can imagine. The population of Brazil is 200 million people. Taxes have been astronomical for well over a hundred years now.

People have tried everything that is possible to get products in Brazil without having to pay the taxes. Everything you can think of has already been tried somehow. And the Brazilian customs office is well aware of each of these tricks and is very well equipped to deal with them. They do have an impressive know-how, good equipment and trust no one.

 

[pdxmatts]

The one I intend to buy is a 64 GB iPhone 6. It has a great size and seems awesome, with the exception of battery life, which seems to be crappy.

I don't agree with this statement. My i6 has good battery life and it charges quickly. If you can sell your i5, you could put that towards the balance to bring the price down. In the long run, you want to go with a brand that will last a long time and has great resale value. I would bite the bullet and buy an iPhone if you can afford it. I would think of it as an investment. I had to keep buying Windows Laptops each year because something would break down that cost more to fix than to buy new again. I got so tired of that. I finally decided to buy a MacBook Pro. To me, it was much more expensive, but it has lasted me 3 yrs and is still going strong. It was worth the investment and higher price tag in the long run. If not, you could keep your i5 and replace the battery. Our i5's are still going strong as well.

 

[maflynn]

Worth and value are subjective. If you get value and usefulness out of a less expensive phone, then that's great. Do so. Many people enjoy the experience that iOS and the iPhone bring so its worth the price to many of us.

Besides, for my I usually pay 199 (or a bit more) for my phones, iPhone or android so I'm not real paying more then.

 

[Abazigal]

Do you travel? At those prices it might be better to buy one on your next vacation to a country where they are cheaper.

This. For the price, I may as well buy an air ticket and travel to the nearest Apple store in the US to get an iPhone.

And to your question, it ultimately depends on how financially well-off you are, but I would say "forget it" and go with a much cheaper Android phone.

 

[RockSpider]

They have X-ray machines and they do open the boxes.

Well, you can imagine. The population of Brazil is 200 million people. Taxes have been astronomical for well over a hundred years now.

People have tried everything that is possible to get products in Brazil without having to pay the taxes. Everything you can think of has already been tried somehow. And the Brazilian customs office is well aware of each of these tricks and is very well equipped to deal with them. They do have an impressive know-how, good equipment and trust no one.

Look at some of the comments on this forum, the iPhone6 is not all its supposed to be. At double the price don't even think about it, go and buy your girlfriend or wife something nice with the difference, or have a holiday.

 

[skaertus]

I don't agree with this statement. My i6 has good battery life and it charges quickly. If you can sell your i5, you could put that towards the balance to bring the price down. In the long run, you want to go with a brand that will last a long time and has great resale value. I would bite the bullet and buy an iPhone if you can afford it. I would think of it as an investment. I had to keep buying Windows Laptops each year because something would break down that cost more to fix than to buy new again. I got so tired of that. I finally decided to buy a MacBook Pro. To me, it was much more expensive, but it has lasted me 3 yrs and is still going strong. It was worth the investment and higher price tag in the long run. If not, you could keep your i5 and replace the battery. Our i5's are still going strong as well.

I am not keeping my iPhone 5, as it doesn't support LTE networks here in Brazil. I am not selling it either, as I will probably give it to my parents.

As for battery life of the iPhone 6, I heard that it is mediocre. I don't know how much truth there is in this, but this is a matter of concern to me, as I use the iPhone very intensely.