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Phone debt is such a silly thing. Even if it is 0% APR through a carrier or Apple, it is still debt. People buying things that they can't afford otherwise.

My sister is trading in her XS for an 11. I'm like, why? Why be perpetually paying for a phone? And why put yourself in debt over a cell phone?
Nowadays, it’s all how you spin things.
To you, it is “phone debt,” while to another it is a monthly bill to get the latest and greatest (why worry about whether you “own” it at the end of the day, because tech always ages to obsolescence)
 
I have a 7 Plus (128 GB) and am trying to find a justifiable reason to upgrade to the 11. Beyond a faster chip, I can't find it. (No desire for the Pros)
if you are hesitating -wait for next year
In my case, I upgraded my 8+ to the 11+ since my employer is doing that - otherwise, I wouldn't have upgraded.
 
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And here you go...the reason the new iphones sold more than the last Xs...because last year Xr come a month later
Now there are all 3 from the start

It's not just that. The marketing this year is also way different and it should have been like that last year already.

Since 2017, Apple has done 2 different models, a mainstream regular one (below 1000$) and a premium one (1000$ and up)

2017: iPhone 8 (Plus) being the regular one, and the X as the premium one

2018: iPhone Xr being the regular and the Xs (Max) as the premium

2019: iPhone 11 is the regular, and the 11 Pro is premium or "Pro"

2017 you had the iPhone 8 (Plus) and the X. The 8 was (and still is) an amazing phone but almost no one pre-ordered it at launch since many already had the 7/ 7 Plus and they were too similar in features to justify an upgrade (700 - 800 $ for the 8 or 8 Plus), and also because the design stayed the same as iPhone 6 / 6s / 7, atleast for the front. Many considered the same old design and the huge bezels to be outdated by 2017.

iPhone X was new at the time being all-screen bezel-less. Everyone got the X which used to be the premium model. 8 was the regular / mainstream, but almost no one bought it. I think that the 8 (Plus) seen more sales in 2018 / 2019, than in 2017.

A year later, Apple released the Xs and Xr. Now the "S" naming scheme was already known, we had the 3GS, 4s, 5s and 6s. The "R" however was new.

People thought that the Xs was just the regular successor to the X (i mean, it is) which everyone bought and loved. And the Xr (which came in later in October) was just a lower-priced iPhone with the 828p LCD and only one camera. People disliked the Xr for the low resolution 828p display (and no, it does not matter at all, i've seen it many times in person and i would have zero problem with it, it looks amazing).

The Xr was never meant to be budget, it was just the mainstream / regular model for 2018. The true budget iPhone at the time was the entry-level 449$ iPhone 7.

The mistake that Apple made in 2018 was that they revealed the Xs (Max) first at the 2018 keynote, and that they also released the Xr in late october, instead of in September as they did with the Xs. Also i heard that there were some production issues with the all-screen LCD, which could have lead to the late October release.

This year, it's different and it will definitely help the sale of the 11. The Xr successor is now just called "11", not "11r", and they also lowered the pricing by 50$ which is also really helpful. Some have also meant that the Xr should have been 699$, not 749$.

And the Xs successor? It's no longer called the "s" or "11", it's called Pro. For good reason. A "pro" phone can be expensive (over 1000$). I don't know if it's truly Pro or not, and i don't care either way, because i would just get the regular 11. But this has been the right move. The regular 11 is definitely a step up from the Xr, and the average consumer will be very happy with that phone. The Pro, well that's for people who want that OLED, or the larger battery, or the third camera.
 
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I think most 11 Pro/Pro Max buyers are 8 and prior owners. Probably less and less X/XS/XS Max upgraders outside of the have to update every year folks. I was one of those and am keeping my 2017 X for a 3rd year.

That's exactly my category. My wife and I both have an 8, time for the upgrades to the Pro for that camera.
 
That’s not at all what I’m saying.

If you have $10,000 in your checking account and the total cost of your iPhone is $1500 and the payments are taken out of the same account then what’s the big deal?

I’m not comparing a residential mortgage to an iPhone payment plan. Moral of the story is... Do what you want. If someone wants to pay monthly for an iPhone I have zero idea why people are so up in arms about it. People are in debt over so many different things that cost way more money.

I guess I’ll just never understand so many people’s logic on this forum.
Dude their logic is fine, you just don't know your terminology. If a customer is on the hook for payments, then they are in debt. I don't care if they have $1M in their bank account, if they owe a penny or anything, they're in debt.

What you're referring to is net worth. Yes, if you have $10,000 in your bank account and you owe Apple $1,500 over the next 24 months, you're in good shape (positive net worth, assuming no other variables), but you're still in debt.
 
Nowadays, it’s all how you spin things.
To you, it is “phone debt,” while to another it is a monthly bill to get the latest and greatest (why worry about whether you “own” it at the end of the day, because tech always ages to obsolescence)
Phone debt = monthly bill to have the phone on hand. When you have to pay a phone monthly and unexpected financial emergencies take almost all someone savings will cause a stress over paying any monthly bills someone has. Paying a full price upfront will lessen burden whenever financial emergencies hit, especially when hitting hard. Personally, paying lesser monthly bills is preferable, less stress. However, everyone has a choice.
 
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How is it debt if the payments are being taken from someone’s checking account? How is it debt when someone has the funds to pay for it in full, but would rather spread it out?

You think everyone who finances an iPhone is in debt? Also, the 11 is a nice upgrade from the XS. Is it night and day? No. But people can buy whatever they want, whenever they want.

I think you have a misconception and misunderstanding of this whole concept.

I think you have a misconception and misunderstanding of this whole concept.
 
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Time-value of money is a thing. A dollar is worth more today than it is tomorrow. So I give T-Mobile my dollars later when they're not worth as much.
Only if you invest it effectively.

People paying for their phones on monthly payments are likely buying other things they can’t afford with the leftover, not investing.

People hear snippets of good financial advice and are quick to point out things like “interest free loan” and “time value of money” while really not grasping any of the concepts at any kind of fundamental level.
 
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Seems like these are getting sold out. Didn't surprise me that my crappy local Apple store was sold out (Willowbrook Mall NJ) as they run out every year. But some of the larger malls in the state are running out and on some models I only see availability in NYC. I missed the first couple of days but was able to get my 2 11's at a mall a bit farther away. It's worth the upgrade to me if they finally put in a decent camera.
 
I guess it's just a different mindset. I would much rather give someone $1000 today than $60 perpetually (which is what you are getting into with the never ending payments/upgrade). Financing a phone is one of the weirdest things I think we do haha.

It's only never ending if you choose that (which admittedly I am). After 24 payments you own the phone. I could easily buy the phone outright but I like not having to deal with selling it.
 
Think the new camera have got people’s attention as it’s needed improving compared to the comp and they have maybe jumped ahead of everybody.
 
That's exactly my category. My wife and I both have an 8, time for the upgrades to the Pro for that camera.
My wife has an 8 Plus, in Product Red. I don’t think she’s giving up her home button until that thing dies. She no like change.
 
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Nah I wouldn’t thanks.
Maybe be a little less confident in how much you think you know.

Socrates said he knew nothing.

Personal finance has a lot more components than just math. For the people acting like they invest the money saved on making small payments every month versus a large one time payment on the phone, we know that’s not how people behave in the real world. Looks great on paper, very difficult to execute effectively.

Consumer behavior is well documented and very predictable. This is how credit card debt is born for MANY people.
 
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All right all ready with this debt stuff. If you don't have debt and really need to borrow in the future (house car, etc) you won't be getting the funds you might need. Banks don't lend to people with no debt and if they do it most likely won't meet your needs. Debt is your score card of how well you managed it and indicates your chances of repayment.
The best debt you can have is 0 precent debt, it does not cost you anything extra. There are people who pay for big ticket items with cash as well, but very few. I have done House and car on cash alone before, but given an interest loan I would take that any day to protect my reserves....a few year back I even had an interest free car loan, paid exactly what
the negotiated price of the car was.....
 
Maybe be a little less confident in how much you think you know.

Socrates said he knew nothing.

Personal finance has a lot more components than just math. For the people acting like they invest the money saved on making a one time payment on the phone, we know that’s not how people behave in the real world. Looks great on paper, very difficult to execute effectively.

Knowledge on personal finance is very important. I don’t know all there is to know about it and there’s always time to learn more.

I just don’t think it’s a big deal to pay for an iPhone monthly and from the comments in this thread it seems that people think that myself and others are mismanaging our finances solely because we choose to do the iPhone Upgrade Program.
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Dude their logic is fine, you just don't know your terminology. If a customer is on the hook for payments, then they are in debt. I don't care if they have $1M in their bank account, if they owe a penny or anything, they're in debt.

What you're referring to is net worth. Yes, if you have $10,000 in your bank account and you owe Apple $1,500 over the next 24 months, you're in good shape (positive net worth, assuming no other variables), but you're still in debt.

Moral of the story: Being enrolled in iUP isn’t hurting me and likely isn’t killing anyone else who’s doing it. Knowing 1 thing about me doesn’t paint my entire financial picture.

I think we can agree on that... Lol.
 
What people say: WE WANT CHEAPER IPHONES!!!1111
What people do: buy the most expensive iphones

Agree.

I am surprised the pro models are not a higher percentage. After all, so many that are buying before release are those that just have to have the "best and greatest" NOW. The mix may drop in a bit. Then again, more people will realize that their current iphone is darn near the same thing... just covered with fingerprints.
 
A significant reason so many are in debt. However, they look good and may even appear to be wealthy.
Nowadays, it’s all how you spin things.
To you, it is “phone debt,” while to another it is a monthly bill to get the latest and greatest (why worry about whether you “own” it at the end of the day, because tech always ages to obsolescence)

I think the point, the XS not obsolete. Most iPhones have a good solid 3 years of use before they begin to show obsolescence.

Especially if one upgrades every year. That decision has really little to do with obsolescence.

Chasing the latest technology expensive. If one has the resources, excellent. However, with the numbers of folks in serious debt these monthly payments can be a significant problem, the point.
 
Knowledge on personal finance is very important. I don’t know all there is to know about it and there’s always time to learn more.

I just don’t think it’s a big deal to pay for an iPhone monthly and from the comments in this thread it seems that people think that myself and others are mismanaging our finances solely because we choose to do the iPhone Upgrade Program.
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Moral of the story: Being enrolled in iUP isn’t hurting me and likely isn’t killing anyone else who’s doing it. Knowing 1 thing about me doesn’t paint my entire financial picture.

I think we can agree on that... Lol.
Ask yourself if you were “rich” where money was no object, if you’d buy an iPhone on payments. Maybe you still would.
 
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My wife has an 8 Plus, in Product Red. I don’t think she’s giving up her home button until that thing dies. She no like change.
interesting - my wife was in the same boat with the Iphone 7 and now that she has the XR and she thinks its the best phone in the world - what convinced her? not having to type any passwords and having the phone recognize her face and auto logged her to her social and bank apps
 
Ask yourself if you were “rich” where money was no object, if you’d buy an iPhone on payments. Maybe you still would.

If I was rich I would definitely pay for the phone in full. I’ve asked myself that before too. I’m not rich, but can definitely afford to pay for an iPhone in full.

I personally just don’t mind doing iUP.
 
Ask yourself if you were “rich” where money was no object, if you’d buy an iPhone on payments. Maybe you still would.

Money no object and a phone on finance? Classicial Financing? No way. I would lease it if that's possible and get a new one every year. (iPhone Upgrade Program). My old 6s 64 GB was bought outright and my current 8 Plus was also bought outright. Yes it's expensive (especially outside of the US) but i keep them for a long time and it's amazing when you know it's your belonging and no one can take it from you and you don't have to pay for it on a monthly basis. Leasing makes sense however, atleast with a phone. It's never yours, instead you pay to use it, but since there is a new model every year and a phone can take damage pretty easy and battery may not last so long after a couple years, it would be perfect.

Remember: It's not yours until it's fully paid for.
 
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