iPhone (Flagship phones) Too Expensive?

[scaredpoet]

There *are* a couple of ways to get around this now. Carriers are replacing subsidies with equipment lease/early trade-in options that reduce the overall cost of ownership for a phone if you're the type that upgrades frequently. Even Apple's getting into the game now. If you go with their upgrade program and decide to upgrade every year, even the 128 GB iPhone 6S Plus comes out to $539 for the year, and then you move on to the next model when it comes out.

 

[jasie02]

You get what you pay for, but there's also a point of diminishing returns. That's where the idea of "value" comes in. The more expensive product usually is better, but it gets to a point where it's not so much better as to justify paying several times as much.

The point is each person has different point of diminishing returns. For some people, current smart phone price is probably never going to reach their point of diminishing returns, since it is probably pocket change to spend $1000+. For some people, $200 is too much to spend on any phone, period, and then I know someone who think mobile phone is not necessary, and do live without it. When you are in the middle of no where, where cellphone is not reliable, and CB radio is available in the car and home, you could and have to live without cell phone.

Judge your own value,and your own point of diminishing returns and make your own decision.

 

[Vicrooloo]

I didn't pay for "To download this item you need to connect to wifi" messages. I'm just saying that iPhones carry a premium price but they aren't perfect and they aren't the only premium smartphone around. I'm queued to buy a Oneplus 2, that Samsung S6 is a real looker and the 5X is receiving robust reviews too. All for a few hundred bucks less than an iPhone. Side note, it's insulting that iPhones still start at 16 gigs of space.

The value game has never been so close before. Its exciting to see what will happen next in the smartphone arena.

 

[imanidiot]

To the people saying 'you get what you pay for' I think that's just your opinion getting in the way of things. As much as I enjoy my iPhone I don't feel it's immensely better than previous Android devices I used.

I couldn't stomach paying $1,000 for a phone. Not a chance. Maybe if I was rolling in money, sure. But that's just ludicrous IMO. (Unless you sell the phone after a year for little loss, etc.)

For a while now I've felt these flagship devices simply don't justify their exorbitant pricing. The 5X really hammers that point home in my eyes.

So don't. Simple. To start a thread to complain about how much something costs is ludicrous. If you think it's too much, don't pay it. Move on.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

There is no problem. I never said there was. I'm simply questioning the pricing of flagship phones when the competition can offer a great deal of what a flagship offers at a fraction of the price.

I have a friend that buys $200 jeans. I wear about $60-80 jeans. And I am sure most of America is wearing $30 and under denim.

We all get our asses covered. No need to question why my friend pays so much more. Maybe his are bedazzled in the crotch area. None of my business.

 

[blairh]

No need to question why my friend pays so much more. Maybe his are bedazzled in the crotch area. None of my business.

Why can't we engage in a conversation about the topic instead of declaring that it's nothing that should be discussed?
[doublepost=1452203542][/doublepost]

So don't. Simple. To start a thread to complain about how much something costs is ludicrous. If you think it's too much, don't pay it. Move on.

I'm not complaining. I'm simply bringing up the concept that there are very affordable and quality phablets at a fraction of the cost of the iPhone 6S Plus.
[doublepost=1452203650][/doublepost]

There *are* a couple of ways to get around this now. Carriers are replacing subsidies with equipment lease/early trade-in options that reduce the overall cost of ownership for a phone if you're the type that upgrades frequently. Even Apple's getting into the game now. If you go with their upgrade program and decide to upgrade every year, even the 128 GB iPhone 6S Plus comes out to $539 for the year, and then you move on to the next model when it comes out.

One thing that strikes me odd about this program is that you are paying for AppleCare. So if you plan on upgrading your iPhone every year you are essentially wasting money as by default you are already covered for one year (unless you really value phone support).

 

[imanidiot]

Why can't we engage in a conversation about the topic instead of declaring that it's nothing that should be discussed?
[doublepost=1452203542][/doublepost]
I'm not complaining. I'm simply bring up the concept that there are very affordable and quality phablets at a fraction of the cost of the iPhone 6S Plus.

There is no conversation to engage in. It's simply a matter of personal choice. If it's not worth it to you, then don't buy it. No-one is asking you to buy it, no-one cares whether or not you buy it. How complex is that?

 

[blairh]

It is about value added, not $$$ list. You get what you pay for, if values come with product is important for you, and value vs $$$ pay is acceptable for you, had no relativity to other people's value of iPhone to them.

In your case, it is maybe you could not see the value iPhone bring for you is important for you than spending $$$, than it is not worth for you. Go with your own value judgement, and make your own decision. Asking other people will not likely have same value added from iPhone compare with to you.

You think the iPhone is cheap compared to what phone?

I think it's perfectly normal to raise the question of something's value when you see competition that might offer a near identical experience at a fraction of the price.

I'm not asking anybody anything. I'm simply discussing the subject at hand.

 

[jasie02]

You think the iPhone is cheap compared to what phone?

I think it's perfectly normal to raise the question of something's value when you see competition that might offer a near identical experience at a fraction of the price.

I'm not asking anybody anything. I'm simply discussing the subject at hand.

It is cheap because I could afford it, with zero financial impact, fulfill all the value "required" to me on smart phone, without even consider any other smart phone.
Never interested on any other phone after handling them at stores. I will probably give them away rather than use them, and still pay for iPhone myself.
Value iPhone add to me, and only me not you or anyone else, justify to me and only me to purchase without any other consideration.

 

[blairh]

Bought a Nexus 5X bc it was "cheap" to compared to my iPhone 6S - the 5X was laggy and not smooth at all and the battery life was poor.....end of the day you get what you pay for.

Buy the Huawei and use it, report back and then make post "returning to iPhone bc......"

I find it hard to believe that the 5X is laggy. A pure Android experience rarely is.

The 5X appears to be roughly on par with the 6S with respect to battery life.

 

[eyoungren]

You think the iPhone is cheap compared to what phone?

I think it's perfectly normal to raise the question of something's value when you see competition that might offer a near identical experience at a fraction of the price.

I'm not asking anybody anything. I'm simply discussing the subject at hand.

I think what he is saying is that your perception of value or expense may be different than someone else's. Therefore what may be too expensive to you might not be to others.

Your income bracket doesn't necessarily affect that perception one way or the other.

At least that's how I am taking him to mean.

 

[cableguy84]

Expensive , but this thing gets a lot of use, so its worth it.

I normally keep my phones for a year, but will try keep my 6s plus at least a couple years.

 

[jasie02]

I think what he is saying is that your perception of value or expense may be different than someone else's. Therefore what may be too expensive to you might not be to others.

Your income bracket doesn't necessarily affect that perception one way or the other.

At least that's how I am taking him to mean.

+2, it all go back to value added vs affordability. Anyone who have million in the bank, if he sees no value add to him, it will be proceed as "expensive" regardless price. And if there is significant value added, as long as it fall under "affordability" (which is also a relative word, I know someone with a lot money live incredible frugal beyond extreme, and there is someone who buy thing could not afford, luckily most of us fall in between), regardless price list, it is not expensive.

 

[blairh]

Expensive , but this thing gets a lot of use, so its worth it.

I normally keep my phones for a year, but will try keep my 6s plus at least a couple years.

I normally keep my iPhone's for 2 years. When I purchased my 6 Plus I said to myself I'd wait 3 years instead to justify the high price. But if these iPhone rumors come to fruition it will be hard to not get the redesigned iPhone.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

Why can't we engage in a conversation about the topic instead of declaring that it's nothing that should be discussed?

Exactly what conversation needs to be had? My last post was supposed to be a joke so you would just move on.

There's the iphone, then there is a cheap phone that does the basics of the iphone. Buy whichever one you want. If you want to save money, buy that one. If you want the iphone, buy the iphone.

What possible meaningful discussion do you want? You will not be satisfied with any answer.

 

[eyoungren]

What possible meaningful discussion do you want? You will not be satisfied with any answer.

I think the OP is looking for a justification for the extra cost. Something OP can't immediately see that would make the extra cost make sense.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is Apple. It's always cost more no matter what product they've made. It just is.

 

[jasie02]

Exactly what conversation needs to be had? My last post was supposed to be a joke so you would just move on.

There's the iphone, then there is a cheap phone that does the basics of the iphone. Buy whichever one you want. If you want to save money, buy that one. If you want the iphone, buy the iphone.

What possible meaningful discussion do you want? You will not be satisfied with any answer.

Give him a break, he need all the positive motivation and positive input to allow other people to make decision for him.

 

[blairh]

I think the OP is looking for a justification for the extra cost. Something OP can't immediately see that would make the extra cost make sense.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is Apple. It's always cost more no matter what product they've made. It just is.

I'm not looking for any justification. And I can't understand why you'd think that. My original post is pretty clear. With competition offering great alternatives at much cheaper prices it's an interesting situation to be in right now as a consumer.
[doublepost=1452215031][/doublepost]

Give him a break, he need all the positive motivation and positive input to allow other people to make decision for him.

Please don't be ridiculous. At no point have I ever wanted or asked anyone to justify anything for me. It's insulting you'd suggest such a thing.
[doublepost=1452215163][/doublepost]

Exactly what conversation needs to be had? My last post was supposed to be a joke so you would just move on.

There's the iphone, then there is a cheap phone that does the basics of the iphone. Buy whichever one you want. If you want to save money, buy that one. If you want the iphone, buy the iphone.

What possible meaningful discussion do you want? You will not be satisfied with any answer.

Move on? Nobody is forcing you to comment here. Are you really trying to tell me that I shouldn't discuss this situation in this thread? Really?

Do you really not realize the space here can be used to discuss this topic? I'm not looking for any answers. I'm looking to see what others think regarding this situation. Why you need to come here and tell me to essentially shut up is beyond me.

 

[eyoungren]

I'm not looking for any justification. And I can't understand why you'd think that. My original post is pretty clear. With competition offering great alternatives at much cheaper prices it's an interesting situation to be in right now as a consumer.

I'm not arguing with you, nor am I saying you are wrong.

I just was offering my take on this thread. If, I'm wrong on that (as it appears I may be) then my mistake.

But I'm certainly not against you starting the thread.

 

[Poochi]

There is no problem. I never said there was. I'm simply questioning the pricing of flagship phones when the competition can offer a great deal of what a flagship offers at a fraction of the price.
[doublepost=1452177059][/doublepost]


Just so we are clear, I've done very well for myself professionally and have no trouble affording my iPhone.

This has nothing to do with that. I'm simply comparing what a phablet at $200 can currently offer versus one at $750 and up. In general I've felt flagships were too expensive to begin with and then when I see competition at a fraction of the price I start to question things.

If you don't feel the value paying Apple's price for iPhone, and android is better value for you, buy android. End of discussion.

If you still want iPhone then suck up the price Apple's asking.

When enough people decided iPhone is not good value and sales go down, maybe then something will change.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

I'm not looking for any justification. And I can't understand why you'd think that. My original post is pretty clear. With competition offering great alternatives at much cheaper prices it's an interesting situation to be in right now as a consumer.

Do you really not realize the space here can be used to discuss this topic? I'm not looking for any answers. I'm looking to see what others think regarding this situation. Why you need to come here and tell me to essentially shut up is beyond me.

We are discussing your topic. And we have answered you over and over again. You just simply refuse the answers you are getting.

We think your topic is asinine. We have told you: if people want to buy a cheaper Android phone by an emerging company, they are completely free to do so. It doesn't bother us in the slightest. If they want an iphone, they buy an iphone

If you are asking us if we think the iPhone is unjustified price-wise because of this new entrant into the market: NO.

There is no need to justify Apple's price. The price is the price.

Why do you simply refuse to accept that? We have provided plenty of examples to demonstrate our point: there are luxury cars, and there are economy cars. Both will accomplish the basic task of transportation, with differences in luxury, quality, performance, etc. There is no point in arguing the price difference unless you are some sort of egalitarian who has a problem with luxury items to begin with. And we can't help you there.

 

[jasie02]

Please don't be ridiculous. At no point have I ever wanted or asked anyone to justify anything for me. It's insulting you'd suggest such a thing.

Calm down, take a breathe. No one is insulting other than your think in your own mind, when someone else answer in the way you don't like, on the question you started.

If you use a "?" mark in the title of thread you started, you should understand people is going to question your intention, and getting angry for thing other people said you don't like is not going to make you feel better, or help you understand answer of your question.

Believe in yourself and your own choice, I say it several time just in this thread. It is good for you.

 

[blairh]

We are discussing your topic. And we have answered you over and over again. You just simply refuse the answers you are getting.

We think your topic is asinine. We have told you: if people want to buy a cheaper Android phone by an emerging company, they are completely free to do so. It doesn't bother us in the slightest. If they want an iphone, they buy an iphone

If you are asking us if we think the iPhone is unjustified price-wise because of this new entrant into the market: NO.

There is no need to justify Apple's price. The price is the price.

Why do you simply refuse to accept that? We have provided plenty of examples to demonstrate our point: there are luxury cars, and there are economy cars. Both will accomplish the basic task of transportation, with differences in luxury, quality, performance, etc. There is no point in arguing the price difference unless you are some sort of egalitarian who has a problem with luxury items to begin with. And we can't help you there.

You are completely missing the point of my thread to begin with. I was seeking a discussion regarding the lengthening gap price-wise between iPhone's and the competition. How such a question is be seen as asinine is beyond me. Please enlighten me why even proposing such a question bothers you so much?

Why are you saying 'we'? Do you speak for this entire forum?

I'm not looking to argue the price difference. From the start I'm simply proposing a simple question and getting a lot of defensive answers instead of any sort of intelligent feedback.

What makes the iPhone a luxury phone? I think the gap between what you get for $650+ versus $200-$400 is getting shorter by the day. That's essentially what my thread is about. I'm not looking for specific answers but rather a chance to discuss this current marketplace. People like you are coming in here and making it difficult for reasons beyond me.
[doublepost=1452221870][/doublepost]

Calm down, take a breathe. No one is insulting other than your think in your own mind, when someone else answer in the way you don't like, on the question you started.

If you use a "?" mark in the title of thread you started, you should understand people is going to question your intention, and getting angry for thing other people said you don't like is not going to make you feel better, or help you understand answer of your question.

Believe in yourself and your own choice, I say it several time just in this thread. It is good for you.

Why would anyone question my intentions? My signature makes it clear I'm a heavy Apple user and my stats reveal I'm a longtime member of this forum.

I'm angry at what some of you are trying to turn this into which is something that isn't a open discussion about my original question.

And you are just as guilty as the rest of them. Your replies, for some reason, try to turn this into something where I'm personally trying to seek out confidence in my choice of smartphone. I have no idea where you are even getting that and honestly I find it really insulting. 'Believe in yourself and your choice'. Seriously man?

 

[jasie02]

Why would anyone question my intentions? My signature makes it clear I'm a heavy Apple user and my stats reveal I'm a longtime member of this forum.

I'm angry at what some of you are trying to turn this into which is something that isn't a open discussion about my original question.

And you are just as guilty as the rest of them. Your replies, for some reason, try to turn this into something where I'm personally trying to seek out confidence in my choice of smartphone. I have no idea where you are even getting that and honestly I find it really insulting. 'Believe in yourself and your choice'. Seriously man?

Last post on this thread.
You got serious angry issue for getting angry with people you never meet.
Don't believe in anyone of us, unless you meet with any of us, and trust yourself, talk to friend you meet, your family, people you meet and trust. No need to trust any of us, nor get angry with us, we never meet.
Good luck. <=== This is really a good luck smile.

 

[Retired Cat]

If you don't feel the value paying Apple's price for iPhone, and android is better value for you, buy android. End of discussion.

If you still want iPhone then suck up the price Apple's asking.

When enough people decided iPhone is not good value and sales go down, maybe then something will change.

For me, the big value in iPhone has been the software support, not the hardware itself.

When I was looking for a new phone in early 2013, I was appalled at the number of Android handsets that became abandoned, leaving them without patches for serious security bugs. Even the Android phones that got patches suffered delays due to carriers needing to approve and push the updates.

Ultimately, that pushed me to the Apple camp. $649+tax was a big upfront cost, but I've had the benefit of almost 3 years of consistent and timely software updates. I see that Android phone makers are getting more serious about updates after the stage fright bug scandal, which may erode Apple's advantage here.