The iPhone 5 sure is better, but is it $1400 better?

[Raggsokk]

As the title say. While it's an upgrade from the 4s, the 16gb iPhone 5 costs 1400$ total with a one-year contract in my country (Norway) and that's the cheapest alternative from my provider.

The first payment (to get the phone) is $500. And an additional $900 over the course of 11 months.

While I'm sure many will go for this, is it really worth it? Would you americans do it if this was the price to pay?

Please help me, I'm torn.

 

[Captainobvvious]

Would I pay $1400 for an iPhone? No.

 

[Meanee]

So basically, half inch of screen (which is about the only distinctive feature you get) will cost you $1400. The 4S is plenty fast. I do not see any apps in near future that will take full advantage of A6. And if you do not have LTE coverage, then the upgrade is even more worthless. That's just my personal opinion.

 

[SavMBP15]

I would not ever pay $1400 for a phone.

 

[dgstan]

You say it's $900 over the 11 months. Is that because it's an iPhone or would any smartphone cost that much?

 

[Oohara]

Bear in mind that you have 25% higher average disposable income in Norway

 

[Bswartz95]

I would not pay $1400 for the iPhone 5, or any other phone. If phones are that expensive, how much could you make if you sold your 4s? That could make it more affordable.

I sold my iPhone 4 and put that money toward the full price of the 5.

 

[greytmom]

Dang, that's crazy. Why so expensive? Or is the extra $900 something you'd spend regardless of what phone you have?

 

[Raggsokk]

You say it's $900 over the 11 months. Is that because it's an iPhone or would any smartphone cost that much?

Iphones cost slightly more, but it's the initial cost that goes through the roof. Close competitors start at $1 to $100 and a cheaper total. iPhones are generally atleast $200 more expensive here, even if it's an old model. The 4s still costs a total of $1100 on contract.

Bear in mind that you have 25% higher average disposable income in Norway

True, but not when you're a student!

 

[Sheza]

This is including an allowance of minutes, texts and data.
Of course I'd never pay $1400 solely for the phone.

The cheapest 24 month contract in the UK works out as $1,402. And 18 month is around $1,228.

The SIM-Free price of the iPhone 16GB in the UK is $858.

It's a bad deal for a 12 month contract but on the whole it's not terrible. The question / topic title makes it sound as if the iPhone 5 16GB is retailing in Norway for $1400 which is obviously not the case here. The up-front cost of $500 you quoted is in line with Vodafone's up-front cost for a 12 month contract.

 

[Oohara]

True, but not when you're a student!

Well, don't you get a student loan of like $1500 per month, 10 months of the year?

Anyway, yeah it's a freaking lot of money honestly. I wouldn't pay that to upgrade from a 4S (I'm in the same situation). I might if I was on a 4, but from the 4S the difference doesn't really warrant that kind of sum imo.

 

[Raggsokk]

This is including an allowance of minutes, texts and data.
Of course I'd never pay $1400 solely for the phone.

The cheapest 24 month contract in the UK works out as $1,402. And 18 month is around $1,228.

The SIM-Free price of the iPhone 16GB in the UK is $858.

It's a bad deal for a 12 month contract but on the whole it's not terrible. The question / topic title makes it sound as if the iPhone 5 16GB is retailing in Norway for $1400 which is obviously not the case here. The up-front cost of $500 you quoted is in line with Vodafone's up-front cost for a 12 month contract.

You have a point there, phone use is included, but this is the introduction line. So to get another prices vary from $500 to $700 as an initial price to get the phone. And add (atleast) another $900++ on top of that. In most cases we're almost close to US unlocked price as an initial price to open a 12 month contract.

 

[Arnezie]

Cheaper to move to the US and get one

 

[Bswartz95]

Iphones cost slightly more, but it's the initial cost that goes through the roof. Close competitors start at $1 to $100 and a cheaper total. iPhones are generally atleast $200 more expensive here, even if it's an old model. The 4s still costs a total of $1100 on contract.

Can you sell your 4s?

(or buy a plane ticket and come over here to buy one. haha)

 

[Applejuiced]

So the phone is not costing you $1400.
You're talking about including your monthly carrier phone bill in that price?
That's like me saying should I buy a TV that's going to cost me with satellite service $4000 in 2 years?
Doesnt make sense.
How about a car that's going to cost me $8000 a year with gas, insurance, loan payments, registration, oil changes, wiper blades, car washes etc....

 

[Raggsokk]

So the phone is not costing you $1400.
You're talking about including your monthly carrier phone bill in that price?
That's like me saying should I buy a TV that's going to cost me with satellite service $4000 in 2 years?
Doesnt make sense.
How about a car that's going to cost me $8000 a year with gas, insurance, loan payments, registration, oil changes, wiper blades, car washes etc....

Not quite, no. The exact math would be the initial cost of $500-700 and then $40 every 12 months. so around $1000-1200 for the 16gb. But that's on a contract where the included data by example is very easy to exceed.

 

[Applejuiced]

Not quite, no. The exact math would be the initial cost of $500-700 and then $40 every 12 months. so around $1000-1200 for the 16gb. But that's on a contract where the included data by example is very easy to exceed.

You can buy an unlocked iphone 5 on ebay for around $700-800 and then use whatever service you want without a contract.
Not sure if that's cheaper or around the same price but at least you wont be locked in a contract.

 

[elistan]

As the title say. While it's an upgrade from the 4s, the 16gb iPhone 5 costs 1400$ total with a one-year contract in my country (Norway) and that's the cheapest alternative from my provider.

The first payment (to get the phone) is $500. And an additional $900 over the course of 11 months.

While I'm sure many will go for this, is it really worth it? Would you americans do it if this was the price to pay?

Please help me, I'm torn.

Through which cell provider? Looks like Apple Norge will only sell unlocked, unsubsidized, contract-free iPhones. The 5 isn't offered on their site, and the 4S is 4290 KR. ($654 USD.)

Also, looks like Telenor and NetCom won't actually be selling the iPhone 5 until Sep 28.

Ah, found a price on Telenor - 1590 KR ($242 USD) for the 16GB if you choose their "XL" plan. Seems reasonable to me. Doesn't matter the plan cost, since you're already paying the plan cost, I assume.

https://reservasjon.telenor.no/iphone5

 

[dccorona]

Would you be without a cellphone if you didn't buy the iPhone 5? Because if not, it makes NO sense to count the year of service in the cost of the phone, because that's money you would have spent no matter what.

I could count my water bill in the price of my phone, but it wouldn't make sense

 

[sniffies]

So the phone is not costing you $1400.
You're talking about including your monthly carrier phone bill in that price?
That's like me saying should I buy a TV that's going to cost me with satellite service $4000 in 2 years?
Doesnt make sense.
How about a car that's going to cost me $8000 a year with gas, insurance, loan payments, registration, oil changes, wiper blades, car washes etc....

Ugh, tell me about it. Some people's thinking is just illogical and annoying.

OP, I just bought a $21,200 laptop. That's $2,000 for the laptop itself + $80/month for the internet service over the course of 20 years. I know, very expensive!

 

[mobilehaathi]

Not worth upgrading from a 4S.

 

[Raggsokk]

Through which cell provider? Looks like Apple Norge will only sell unlocked, unsubsidized, contract-free iPhones. The 5 isn't offered on their site, and the 4S is 4290 KR. ($654 USD.)

Also, looks like Telenor and NetCom won't actually be selling the iPhone 5 until Sep 28.

Ah, found a price on Telenor - 1590 KR ($242 USD) for the 16GB if you choose their "XL" plan. Seems reasonable to me. Doesn't matter the plan cost, since you're already paying the plan cost, I assume.

https://reservasjon.telenor.no/iphone5

The prices without sim is actually okay. But with the xl plan the total price over a year goes over $2000. Would be way cheaper to add this contract with a sim-free phone from apple then, saving _a lot_ of money, with the exact same result. However, I can't afford the full price of an iPhone on a student loan.

 

[Stetrain]

How much would it cost you to continue using your current phone for another two years?

You can't look at the full phone+service cost as the cost of the iPhone 5 without looking at the service cost you would already be paying to use your current phone.

 

[elistan]

The prices without sim is actually okay. But with the xl plan the total price over a year goes over $2000. Would be way cheaper to add this contract with a sim-free phone from apple then, saving _a lot_ of money, with the exact same result. However, I can't afford the full price of an iPhone on a student loan.

What is your current plan costing you?

 

[takeshi74]

While I'm sure many will go for this, is it really worth it?

Worth is always highly subjective on any topic. It's not worth it to me. It may be worth it to others.

Please help me, I'm torn.

It's a call that you have to make. Polling others won't help you. You need to decide based on your priorities/budget/preferences/etc. If you want help you need to describe where you'd draw the line and why.