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Why do people need new phones all the time?
- Thread starter UBS28
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I'm eligible for an upgrade but looks like I won't be able to afford the new iPhone even with an upgrade discount. I'm running broke so I probably will have to stick with my broken iPhone 5 for a little while longer. Don't understand why some people literally buy every single iPhone that has come to existence, but to each their own. I like new gadgets myself, but I don't find it necessary for me to spend money on a new iPhone every single time one comes out. Yes, I understand most sell their current to get the new, but still. Everyone has their preferences and maybe it makes them happy to get a new phone every year. Some people are content with what they bought and just wait for their contract to end or until their desire to get a new phone arises. If you have the money, go for it. I'm gonna have to be smart this time around and not give Apple any money I don't have because going back to school pretty much took every cent I had saved.
I used to do carrier subsidize, but ever since the 5s or last year I will be doing next and paying off early.
Nailed it... although I won't really call it "expendable finance" it's more like smart financing. But definitely passion for mobile tech.. <cough> apple mobile tech
I do subsidise but only because I get the employers discount off Vodafone 20% off line rental per month. Works out cheaper than buying outright from Apple
Why do people need new shoes all the time (my wife..ha ha).
Why do people need to go for drinks all the time (like every weekend).
Why why why?
Because people don't need a lot of stuff. High end smartphones are a luxury.
Saying all that, add up all your entertainment costs for the year (drinks, shopping, dining). I will probably bet you that your costs will be a lot more than it cost to maintain the lastest/greatest smartphone.
Say iPhone is $750 MSRP. Say you resell it for $350 after 1 year (easily done). It will cost you $400 for the year. Since most of us get subsidy upgrades every 2 years. The cost to have the latest greatest smartphone every year is significantly lower than blowing $12/drink at the clubs/restaurant and other dining entertainment expenses.
I tried explaining this to my wife who knows I am a phone junkie. After adding up our restaurant expenses for just the past 30 days.....$250 in restaurant charges for dining out in past month (this even excludes our recent Vegas trip where each dinner was over $100).
Bingo for me. In my single days, I could jump every six months. I would always take good care of my devices so I could get top dollar when selling it on eBay, Craigslist, or Swappa. This would net $300-500+ to apply to the next phone. Not happening so much in my married with children days.
Expendable income powers it, but for me, I use my phone for a lot of business work. It's the most commonly available and personal "computer" I have, always connected, so if there is a way to improve the experience, get more done faster, etc, then it's a worthwhile purchase.
Correct. Looking at cost per day, I spend more money going to Starbucks each morning (where I just buy a plain coffee) than I do buying a new iPhone each year.
In reality, most people could do just fine using an Iphone3.
but we want fast, slicker, cooler, clearer, etc. So we buy them.
Actually, most people could survive without a smart phone at all. But that is along discussion.
They could also survive with an old tube tv, but....
but we want fast, slicker, cooler, clearer, etc. So we buy them.
Actually, most people could survive without a smart phone at all. But that is along discussion.
They could also survive with an old tube tv, but....
I just got $355 on eBay for my white 64GB unlocked 5. Of course I had to give eBay and PayPal a nice chunk of the pie, but if you can sell to a friend for cash, $300 will be a nice discount from going market. Win/win for everyone as long as $300 is a price you're happy with.
I upgrade every year because I am a tech geek. I "justify" it to everyone else by saying I need the latest and greatest because I'm a developer. I know that's total nonsense, I would buy the new one every year regardless. As some have said, if I could no longer afford to do it without it hurting my budget, I wouldn't do it.
I think a lot of people are reading too much into the OP's use of the word "need" and arguing about whether a new iPhone is really a "necessity" or not. Note that the OP cited playing games as a possibly valid reason for upgrading.
So what are some specific reasons why someone who bought an iPhone 5S just last year might want to upgrade to the new iPhone 6 series? The biggest reason for most would be the larger screen sizes.
I skipped the 5 to 5S upgrade, because there *weren't* enough improvements that I cared about.
When I went from the 4S to the 5, it was definitely about the screen size upgrade. I forget what some of the other upgrades were at the time (I think LTE, and most certainly some improvements to the camera).
I did go from the 4 to the 4S, and I honestly don't remember what the upgrades with that one were, other than I think an improved camera. Oh yeah, Siri. Siri turned out to be a major let-down for me.
In any case, the "S" upgrades are usually more minor upgrades, but sometimes the sum of those minor upgrades still makes a yearly upgrade seem worthwhile. Everyone's wants and needs are different.
In general, for me, I was an early adopter of the entire smartphone concept (going back to the Palm OS Treo devices and some early Windows Mobile phones). I use my device so often on a daily basis (and I work out of my home, so I theoretically should be someone who shouldn't "need" a mobile device as much as others), so even minor upgrades to a device I use so frequently can be "worth it" to me.
So what are some specific reasons why someone who bought an iPhone 5S just last year might want to upgrade to the new iPhone 6 series? The biggest reason for most would be the larger screen sizes.
I skipped the 5 to 5S upgrade, because there *weren't* enough improvements that I cared about.
When I went from the 4S to the 5, it was definitely about the screen size upgrade. I forget what some of the other upgrades were at the time (I think LTE, and most certainly some improvements to the camera).
I did go from the 4 to the 4S, and I honestly don't remember what the upgrades with that one were, other than I think an improved camera. Oh yeah, Siri. Siri turned out to be a major let-down for me.
In any case, the "S" upgrades are usually more minor upgrades, but sometimes the sum of those minor upgrades still makes a yearly upgrade seem worthwhile. Everyone's wants and needs are different.
In general, for me, I was an early adopter of the entire smartphone concept (going back to the Palm OS Treo devices and some early Windows Mobile phones). I use my device so often on a daily basis (and I work out of my home, so I theoretically should be someone who shouldn't "need" a mobile device as much as others), so even minor upgrades to a device I use so frequently can be "worth it" to me.
I've always been interested in technology.
And, like any hobby, I always want to try the newest thing out there, especially when it comes to the iPhones. Given the furious pace of mobile phone technology advancement, any new phone will feel outdated and antiquated after a year, let alone two.
Also, like new cars, I prefer a new phone every 2 years, if only to be spared the issues that invariably arise from usage and normal wear & tear. I hate the inconvenience of old items breaking down, and the best way to avoid the issue is exchange old items for new ones often.
And, like any hobby, I always want to try the newest thing out there, especially when it comes to the iPhones. Given the furious pace of mobile phone technology advancement, any new phone will feel outdated and antiquated after a year, let alone two.
Also, like new cars, I prefer a new phone every 2 years, if only to be spared the issues that invariably arise from usage and normal wear & tear. I hate the inconvenience of old items breaking down, and the best way to avoid the issue is exchange old items for new ones often.
Because I make lots of money and it's an easy way to enjoy it.
I've noticed the people who ask are usually those who either contractually can't upgrade, or can't afford to. Not always, but usually.
Why do other people care so much why/how other people spend their money?
It's mine. Want more yourself? I know a way...
I'd upgrade monthly if Apple could keep up!
I've noticed the people who ask are usually those who either contractually can't upgrade, or can't afford to. Not always, but usually.
Why do other people care so much why/how other people spend their money?
It's mine
. Want more yourself? I know a way...I'd upgrade monthly if Apple could keep up!
