The end of the expensive Smartphone - How Long?

[Apple fanboy]

Again, depending on the carrier terms, you can still save money on a subsidized phone.



That's a fine principle. However, it is not always the best choice financially.

Not whenever I look into (don't forget to factor in the higher resale value and no unlocking fees.

I completed my mortgage at 33 and have been debt free ever since. Compared to everybody else I know (some who earn a lot more than me), I am considerably better off. Sounds like the best choice to me.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I pay £15 a month. I pick and choose when I switch carriers and phones. How am I paying for it twice?

You're not on a contract.

 

[Apple fanboy]

"If you are customer with Verizon or AT&T.."

Again, it depends on the carrier terms.

I'm in the UK so I'm with O2.

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You're not on a contract.

Simplicity deal. I pay £15 a month (that I can cancel anytime I like). I can't honestly remember the data/minutes I get but as I'm on wifi most of the time it's all fine by me.

 

[goobot]

Not whenever I look into (don't forget to factor in the higher resale value and no unlocking fees.

I completed my mortgage at 33 and have been debt free ever since. Compared to everybody else I know (some who earn a lot more than me), I am considerably better off. Sounds like the best choice to me.

You have to pay interest in a mortgage which is why it's best to pay it off quick.

 

[BaldiMac]

Not whenever I look into (don't forget to factor in the higher resale value and no unlocking fees.

$450 subsidy for an iPhone on Verizon and $350 termination fee. Again, it appears that you are in the UK, so your options may be different.

I completed my mortgage at 33 and have been debt free ever since. Compared to everybody else I know (some who earn a lot more than me), I am considerably better off. Sounds like the best choice to me.

Good for you! Not sure what that has to do with the conversation.

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You have to pay interest in a mortgage which is why it's best to pay it off quick.

Depends on your rates. For example, if you are paying 3% on your mortgage (effectively reduced even more by itemizing a mortgage interest deduction on your taxes), you can realistically make more money by not paying off your mortgage early through relatively safe investment strategies.

 

[Apple fanboy]

$450 subsidy for an iPhone on Verizon and $350 termination fee. Again, it appears that you are in the UK, so your options may be different.



Good for you! Not sure what that has to do with the conversation.

Finally something is cheaper/better in the UK!

Agreed your and my opinion on borrowing is of topic and probably more at home on the PRSI forums.

Back on topic. I bought a Samsung chat 335 yesterday for my daughter (her choice not mine) which is basically a Blackberry rip off. It reminded me how nice it is to own a decent expensive smartphone. I couldn't go back to a horrible cheap dumb phone again. The interface and operation is completely archaic and old fashioned. The thing is so light and plasticky. Yuk!

 

[osofast240sx]

Indeed, you are totally correct. Every market has the small high end area.

Microwave ovens were expensive, the tech matured, the prices came tumbling down of models that most people find are good enough. Spending many hundreds of dollars on a Microwave is not the norm now.

Microwave ovens were expensive, the tech matured, the prices came tumbling down of models that most people found were good enough, but you could still buy a high end if the very small sector wanted it.

DVD Players, just the same. They started out dear, the cheap ones got so good, that how many will spend many hundreds of dollars for one now?

It happens again and again, I don't see todays Smartphones being any different. Every year the cheaper ones get better, and it's going to be harder and harder to make the reasons why you need to spend out for the high end model.

Sure, there will always be a market for the $1000 Smartphones, but its going to shrink and shrink and shrink.

Your logic is still flawed even with the microwaves, I just renovated my kitchen. There are so many factors that go into choosing an appliance, it's not just about price. I very we'll could have bought a low quality microwave from big-lots for like $50. Yes it would have worked, but my decision had more factors involved( looks, matching brand and series, price, quality, consumer ratings ect.)

Talk to anybody with a Nexus five the battery life is horrendous. The phone was cheaper less expensive but not flying off the shelves as you would expect. Polaroid makes tablets for under $100 but do you know anyone that has bought one?

I think more people value quality, specs and features then you would expect.

 

[Piggie]

I think more people value quality, specs and features then you would expect.

Indeed

But these will continue to increase faster on cheaper phones than on dearer ones.

Only a few short years ago, todays cheap phone you dismiss would of been the highest spec most amazing device on the planet.

Tech in general has moved forward, pushed by high end models and filters down very fast to much cheaper models.

Again, what we think of today as the most cutting edge may well be in the basic cheap phone of 2018 for $200
The question is, will the best feature phone of 2018 have enough extra features to temp your average consumer to buy it.

How many of the typical general public now are buying TV's in the $2000+ bracket, even though they may have thinner bezels, different backlighting, more on screen options etc.
Perhaps more and more are seeing the tech filter down to the $700 (at a guess) models, and feeling that's fine for what they need.

I am simply questioning the logic that the same numbers of people NOW who want the latest phone will continue to feel this as many years go buy.

If they are tech people who simply love gadgets and will pay anything as it's their hobby/enjoyment, then yes. Just like people do today pay $2000 or $3000 for a PC
But it's not the general population that do this as they are now (as cheap things get better) more than satisfied with what a lower cost item can do.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

How many of the typical general public now are buying TV's in the $2000+ bracket, even though they may have thinner bezels, different backlighting, more on screen options etc.
Perhaps more and more are seeing the tech filter down to the $700 (at a guess) models, and feeling that's fine for what they need.

This never changes. The same percentages are buying $2000+ TVs with tomorrow's technology and $700 TVs with today's technology, respectively. Technology will continue to evolve. Nobody would feel fine with yesterday's technology in the future.

I'm not sure what the purpose of your thread is. Technology changes and becomes a new form factor, which migrates down over time and gets cheaper, but there will always be new technology that people want.

 

[617aircav]

The OP is hoping for the impossible. Cheap will always be relative. Top end devices will always cost more than non top end devices, and there will always be top end devices. Cheaper good smart phones are here today already, if you want them.

 

[osofast240sx]

Indeed

But these will continue to increase faster on cheaper phones than on dearer ones.

Only a few short years ago, todays cheap phone you dismiss would of been the highest spec most amazing device on the planet.

Tech in general has moved forward, pushed by high end models and filters down very fast to much cheaper models.

Again, what we think of today as the most cutting edge may well be in the basic cheap phone of 2018 for $200
The question is, will the best feature phone of 2018 have enough extra features to temp your average consumer to buy it.

How many of the typical general public now are buying TV's in the $2000+ bracket, even though they may have thinner bezels, different backlighting, more on screen options etc.
Perhaps more and more are seeing the tech filter down to the $700 (at a guess) models, and feeling that's fine for what they need.

I am simply questioning the logic that the same numbers of people NOW who want the latest phone will continue to feel this as many years go buy.

If they are tech people who simply love gadgets and will pay anything as it's their hobby/enjoyment, then yes. Just like people do today pay $2000 or $3000 for a PC
But it's not the general population that do this as they are now (as cheap things get better) more than satisfied with what a lower cost item can do.

The general population is not that smart in how they spend money. Low income consumers are more likely to but a expensive phone. For the masses you have to agree that a smart phone is the one piece a luxury they can afford. I don't know why it is but most people don't cheap out on phones at least in the US

 

[goobot]

The general population is not that smart in how they spend money. Low income consumers are more likely to but a expensive phone. For the masses you have to agree that a smart phone is the one piece a luxury they can afford. I don't know why it is but most people don't cheap out on phones at least in the US

Im going to guess because you kinda save money on a smartphone. You don't need a camera, mp3 player, handheld gaming device and so much more when it's in your phone. And if you only ever use a computer for things like Facebook and youtube then well there goes a need for that.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I don't know why it is but most people don't cheap out on phones at least in the US

They do cheap out by going to Androids, and nearly half of iPhone 5c users come from Androids (vs. 80% of 5s users who come from older iPhones).

 

[bmac4]

I pay £15 a month. I pick and choose when I switch carriers and phones. How am I paying for it twice?

I am talking about here in the states on AT&T and Verizon. If you buy an iPhone 5S 16gb for $650, and you have a line of service with them. Those two carriers have their monthly service cost built with the paying the phone off in them. So if you buy the phone without a contract you are paying for the phone twice.

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They do cheap out by going to Androids, and nearly half of iPhone 5c users come from Androids (vs. 80% of 5s users who come from older iPhones).

Not all androids are cheap. Some are more expensive then the iPhone, and the iPhone 5C is not cheap in any way, shape, or form. $549 for the 16gb is in no way cheap.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Not all androids are cheap. Some are more expensive then the iPhone, and the iPhone 5C is not cheap in any way, shape, or form. $549 for the 16gb is in no way cheap.

Read what I wrote again. I never said all Androids are cheap, just less expensive as a whole compared to the iPhone (which is why Androids reap the majority of marketshare). I also never said the 5c is cheap. The fact that nearly half of 5c users come from Androids whereas 80% of 5s users come from older iPhones is very telling.

 

[bmac4]

Read what I wrote again. I never said all Androids are cheap, just less expensive as a whole compared to the iPhone (which is why Androids reap the majority of marketshare). I also never said the 5c is cheap. The fact that nearly half of 5c users come from Androids whereas 80% of 5s users come from older iPhones is very telling.

Maybe you meant all those things, but it was not clear by your post. It sure sounded as though you were calling the iPhone 5C cheap. Especially considering the text you quoted. Oh well I understand a bit better what you are saying.


And no android have the marketshare because there are tons to choose from. What is the best selling android phone? The S4 which is not cheap at all.

 

[BaldiMac]

And no android have the marketshare because there are tons to choose from.

Source? Seems to me that the main factors are price and distribution.

What is the best selling android phone? The S4 which is not cheap at all.

IDC data shows 66% of Android's 81% smartphone share are junk phones selling for $215

IDC estimates all non-Apple smartphones average $270 per phone. Compared to Apple's ASP of $635.

 

[bmac4]

Source? Seems to me that the main factors are price and distribution.



IDC data shows 66% of Android's 81% smartphone share are junk phones selling for $215

IDC estimates all non-Apple smartphones average $270 per phone. Compared to Apple's ASP of $635.

I have no idea why I even bother. Forget just keep believing what you want to believe. I will not waste my time any longer.

 

[BaldiMac]

I have no idea why I even bother. Forget just keep believing what you want to believe. I will not waste my time any longer.

That's a very well thought out rebuttal. Thanks for the discussion! Did you care to discuss the actual facts that I brought up? Or any sort of source for your claim?

 

[bmac4]

The end of the expensive Smartphone - How Long?

That's a very well thought out rebuttal. Thanks for the discussion! Did you care to discuss the actual facts that I brought up? Or any sort of source for your claim?

No thank you. I am finished discussing this matter. Thanks though. Not worth it, and would prefer not get into a back and forth.

 

[osofast240sx]

And no android have the marketshare because there are tons to choose from. What is the best selling android phone? The S4 which is not cheap at all.

Yes your correct Android has tons of feature phones to choose from and Less than par smart phones. The S4 is by far the best phone on android

 

[bmac4]

Yes your correct Android has tons of feature phones to choose from and Less than par smart phones. The S4 is by far the best phone on android

Ok well that is opinion, but you can choose to believe that. Yes there are a lot of crap android phones. But there are plenty of great smartphones: S4, Note 3, Nexus 5, Moto X, HTC One, and G2 just to name a few. Maybe you and I choose iOS for our smartphone, but that does not mean android does not have some great phones too.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

No thank you. I am finished discussing this matter. Thanks though. Not worth it, and would prefer not get into a back and forth.

Unless you back up what you say, your posts are meaningless.

 

[osofast240sx]

Ok well that is opinion, but you can choose to believe that. Yes there are a lot of crap android phones. But there are plenty of great smartphones: S4, Note 3, Nexus 5, Moto X, HTC One, and G2 just to name a few. Maybe you and I choose iOS for our smartphone, but that does not mean android does not have some great phones too.

All of those u mention are the cutting edge of technology and deserve respect. One tragedy of them all is the HTC one which was probably the best smart phone of 2013 but sold horribly. I have great respect for technology and the hard work the men and women in this industry put into it. I chose Apple because it has been familiar to me since I was a 7th grade. Since then I have been able to watch the company grow and I just like what I see. I like their philosophies and the way they do business.

 

[bmac4]

Unless you back up what you say, your posts are meaningless.

Ok well then count those that I did not defend meaningless. I am not going to argue this. It will just turn into a back and forth about iOS sells more iPhones only having 3 models, and android has tons of crappy phones that brings up their marketshare. Just not worth the time and effort to argue the same thing over and over.