X pricing and the upgrade treadmill

[StarShot]

Let's face it, most of us here are on the upgrade treadmill where every 1-2 years, we are inclined to purchase a new iPhone.

I've been emotionally trained since 2007 that every 2 years I'm going to spend $600-$800 on a new iPhone.

I think that's my biggest issue with the X pricing. I can totally afford it, but do I really want to put myself in a position where from here on out I need to always buy the $1K iPhone?

And what do you do with your previous phones? I upgrade EVERY year, selling the previous one. I usually get the model that costs around $650-$700 and sell it a year later for $500-$600. I have no idea as to where all these used phone go, but I suspect a fair percentage if not most head overseas.

Anyway, I wouldn't call it a "treadmill" unless last year's model gets "food chained" to someone in the family.

 

[bufffilm]

Other than the fact there has been virtually no inflation for the past decade.

Tell yourself that if it makes you feel better.

The truth is another thing entirely.

 

[nojokews6]

And what do you do with your previous phones? I upgrade EVERY year, selling the previous one. I usually get the model that costs around $650-$700 and sell it a year later for $500-$600. I have no idea as to where all these used phone go, but I suspect a fair percentage if not most head overseas.

Anyway, I wouldn't call it a "treadmill" unless last year's model gets "food chained" to someone in the family.

where are you getting that much money for them? I have a 6s plus 256gb and the best offer I see was 240 for it.

 

[drzen]

where are you getting that much money for them? I have a 6s plus 256gb and the best offer I see was 240 for it.

Try Swappa.

 

[sactownbwoy]

I do the iPhone forever plan from Sprint, essentially I lease the phone for a year. I do not spend anywhere close to the full price of the phone after that year. So for me I just upgrade every year

 

[RtWrecklezX]

Let's face it, most of us here are on the upgrade treadmill where every 1-2 years, we are inclined to purchase a new iPhone.

I've been emotionally trained since 2007 that every 2 years I'm going to spend $600-$800 on a new iPhone.

I know a lot of you are making the jump to the $1000 X because it is the first time since 2014 that Apple has unveiled a new form factor for the iPhone, and you are willing to pay that premium to have the newest technology today because it is exciting and different. But what about next year?

I don't think this $1000 iPhone is a one time deal. Apple is going to enjoy the increase in profits from having a higher ASP. The iPhone X might come down in price next year, but there will be a XS to replace it at the $1000 price point.

Are you going to keep yourself on the same upgrade cycle of every 1-2 years if it is going to be $1000 every time?

I think that's my biggest issue with the X pricing. I can totally afford it, but do I really want to put myself in a position where from here on out I need to always buy the $1K iPhone?

Personally I used to always want the latest and greatest example I bought a HTC Thunderbolt because it had LTE first, but after holding the iPhone 6 Plus for 3 years i've grown unimpressed with everything on the market. The features I'm looking for now are 5G or newer LTE and battery life greater than 11 hours of usage since it hasn't changed in 3 years. Buying refurbished from Apple is the plan till something is released with those.

 

[RWil85]

And what do you do with your previous phones? I upgrade EVERY year, selling the previous one. I usually get the model that costs around $650-$700 and sell it a year later for $500-$600. I have no idea as to where all these used phone go, but I suspect a fair percentage if not most head overseas.

Anyway, I wouldn't call it a "treadmill" unless last year's model gets "food chained" to someone in the family.

Started iPhone Upgrade Program last year for an iPhone 7 256GB Matte Black VZW for this reason entirely. I also always buy AppleCare - so, thats a non-issue for me. I have a youngin' at home and makes me not worry about my wife's phone, etc.

Just checked Swappa this morning - recent sales seem to be in the slightly above $500 range.

example. $530 - $10 (swappa fee) = $520. $519.70 * 97.1% (PayPal takes $.30 + 2.9% for a mandatory goods payment) = $504.63. $504.63 - $12 (approx. shipping) = $492.63.

Payments on 7 for final year would be ~$41/mo. for another 12 months = $492

-------------------

And this is at the 1 year mark. Next year - the phone will, obviously, be worth even less and I Will probably fall fairly far below that $492 line. I don't ever see myself being the person to keep a phone for 2+ years. It is not worth the potential small profit gain to even entertain the headache and thought of trying to sell this to another person - and, dear god, I would die in the event of a charge-back scenario at PayPal's 60 day mark, etc. Im sure there are those people on here who have experienced those. It is worth it for me to keep upgrading until I, potentially, could keep a phone beyond two years and 'save' some money.

I hope this math kind of helps others (helped me kind of convince myself of this just writing it out) and I know not all comparisons are apples to apples as some will get carrier discounts and credits toward their payment plans - and I see those as your only real opportunities to 'save' on getting a current model (although, those usually may not kick in until some time after release). Obviously, you can 'save' getting last year's model - but, I would say most in here are here for the 'latest and greatest'.

/incoherent rant.

 

[DNichter]

I'll pay monthly and the difference is only a few bucks per month, I am not too worried about it. If one day I can't afford it, I won't upgrade.

 

[solo118]

I do the iPhone forever plan from Sprint, essentially I lease the phone for a year. I do not spend anywhere close to the full price of the phone after that year. So for me I just upgrade every year

Yes, but you have a monthly payment for life. Many people do not like/want this.

For me, I always do the same thing. I upgrade, I sell my old phone and I pay off my credit card with what I got from the old phone + whatever the balance is. Usually it is about $100-200, which I am fine with paying annually to upgrade.

This year will be different. I figure my 7+ can fetch around $550-600, but that is only half the price of the X 256. I will either finance the rest or just bite the bullet and pay it all in one shot.