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Why do people need new phones all the time?
- Thread starter UBS28
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The carriers have gotten us in the subsidy model where most of the money is in the service and doesn't go down if you don't get a new phone. It'll take some time for people to switch to the new model where service and device costs are seperate. And then people will make the decision if they want to spend $650-$850 every year or two replacing a device based on a 50% resale value which really isn't a lot over 2 years anyway.
I tend to have more respect for people that avoid the temptation to buy new every year. It's rather evil to make expensive products with planned obsolescence in mind, and where features are withheld, so you can sell more next year.
If this is how we need to behave and do business to make this world tick, then no wonder things are going to **** soon.
If this is how we need to behave and do business to make this world tick, then no wonder things are going to **** soon.
A few reasons:
- partly because in our societies, we're fortunate enough to be able to buy things if we want them (provided we can afford it of course).
- marketing (we MUST have it)
- it brings joy to people who are into this stuff (and if you're a member of macrumors, let's face it, we will be).
And while we don't NEED to upgrade yearly (I've always upgraded every two years but this time am upgrading after a year) I do think upgrading eventually, say at least every three years, in our society, is needed. We live in a world (fortunately) where doing things like using phones for browsing (finding info quickly), email, pictures, maps, is kind of necessary whether we like it or not. The iPhone 3GS did all of those things. But two weeks ago I was in a museum and someone asked if I could take a photo of her, so I did. It was a REALLY slow phone, the photo took a few seconds to take which sounds silly but it was odd. Thought "must be some old cheap android". But the software was ios and had the old school camera interface. Turns out was an iPhone 3GS or something. Now she NEEDS to upgrade.
- partly because in our societies, we're fortunate enough to be able to buy things if we want them (provided we can afford it of course).
- marketing (we MUST have it)
- it brings joy to people who are into this stuff (and if you're a member of macrumors, let's face it, we will be).
And while we don't NEED to upgrade yearly (I've always upgraded every two years but this time am upgrading after a year) I do think upgrading eventually, say at least every three years, in our society, is needed. We live in a world (fortunately) where doing things like using phones for browsing (finding info quickly), email, pictures, maps, is kind of necessary whether we like it or not. The iPhone 3GS did all of those things. But two weeks ago I was in a museum and someone asked if I could take a photo of her, so I did. It was a REALLY slow phone, the photo took a few seconds to take which sounds silly but it was odd. Thought "must be some old cheap android". But the software was ios and had the old school camera interface. Turns out was an iPhone 3GS or something. Now she NEEDS to upgrade.
You're going to have to explain this. You skip a year buying a new phone and miss out on money? How does that work?
I think they mean that the value of the old phone goes down more after every year. That being said, costs more every year if you're shelling out money for a new phone every year too.
I think it's just a personal preference.
Personally I'm a two year cycle kinda guy & in my experience, when an iPhone reaches nearly 2 years old, the battery is on it's way out & the phone seems to mysteriously slow down - so that's the best time to change for me!
Need? Who said anything about need?
I get them because I can afford to and I like having the latest tech in my pocket.
It's something I enjoy spending my money on and, as it turns out, costs a lot less on an annual basis that many, many other things that people spend their money on (eg. smoking, drinking, shoes, etc).
It isn't a phone anymore. Most people probably use the phone part of an iPhone the least of anything else. It's a hand computer. A full fledged hand based computer. That's why people upgrade them frequently. The exact same reason people used to upgrade their desktop machines every couple years.
Faster phone means whatever I'm doing on the phone for the most part gets done more quickly... and I value my time quite a lot.
I also like new things when it comes to technology.
I also like new things when it comes to technology.
My wife needs one now, because her iPhone 5 battery is shot. She can spend to get the battery replaced to be sure, but the last time she did that, the phone was worse off.
She's more interested in getting a new one. Me, I'm potentially looking for a larger one. I'm on the fence though because my iPhone 5c is a great phone and not terribly old.
She's more interested in getting a new one. Me, I'm potentially looking for a larger one. I'm on the fence though because my iPhone 5c is a great phone and not terribly old.
Every 2 years for me I skip the S models.
Take contract out have it 2 years, sell phone which goes towards new contract.
I was paying £40 per month sold my 5 for £240. 6 Plus cost me £179 up front and still £40 per month. So I get a new phone and £60 beer money has a bonus and no worse off per month.
Take contract out have it 2 years, sell phone which goes towards new contract.
I was paying £40 per month sold my 5 for £240. 6 Plus cost me £179 up front and still £40 per month. So I get a new phone and £60 beer money has a bonus and no worse off per month.
For some (like me) its a passion for tech.
Why do some people buy a new football jersey each season? Has the other one worn out? Does it no longer fit?
Why do you need a new pair of shoes? Have your current ones got a hole in them?
People are funny creatures. We all have different tastes. Some want a new handbag, some like getting the latest comic.
Its not a need thing, its a want thing.
Why do some people buy a new football jersey each season? Has the other one worn out? Does it no longer fit?
Why do you need a new pair of shoes? Have your current ones got a hole in them?
People are funny creatures. We all have different tastes. Some want a new handbag, some like getting the latest comic.
Its not a need thing, its a want thing.
I've had my iPhone 5 for 2 years, I really love my phone. But when I saw that Verizon was going to give me $250 for it and I'd get a discount on my line fees with Verizon, I decided to go for it. In the end, I will spend less money due to my line fee discount.