4 ms·

Well, for a device that is basically the primary device for the vast majority of people to conduct their lives, that are expected to have useful lives of about

Well, for a device that is basically the primary device for the vast majority of people to conduct their lives, that are expected to have useful lives of about 2 years, i.e. ~750 days, $400-$500 more may absolutely be worth even a slight improvement, as long as you can afford it.

com2kid 9y ago
> $400-$500 more may absolutely be worth even a slight improvement, as long as you can afford it. The problem is, the Nexus series showed us that Google can release a high quality phone at 1/2 the price of the rest of the market, and keep it updated and running fast for years. There is obviously more money in selling phones at market rate.
- hocuspocus 9y ago
  The problem lies with the definition of market rate. I cannot justify spending €300 more than a S8+. I've had many Nexus devices and always felt like I was getting a discount in exchange for being a beta tester. Then Google raised their pricing to match the iPhone's, yet I don't see much improvement in quality control (both hardware and software) or in operations (they're still incapable of a worldwide launch or proper stock management, despite volumes that are a fraction of their competitors'). I don't even understand how the Pixel 1 was fairly successful in the US (subsidized phones and project Fi maybe?)
- riku_iki 9y ago
  Nexus phones were probably subsidized to promote Android ecosystem.
  - com2kid 9y ago
    I think Nexus phones sacrificed in the materials department to hit their price point. Other phones from Chinese manufacturers had similar specs, so it isn't impossible. Custom tooling for complex industrial design is expensive, and the Nexus series tended to re-use existing phone designs wholesale, which also likely cut costs. Since I put a case on my phone anyway, I don't particularly care about the industrial design. I also understand I am not in the majority there. But a $500 premium is a lot...

com2kid 9y ago

> $400-$500 more may absolutely be worth even a slight improvement, as long as you can afford it. The problem is, the Nexus series showed us that Google can release a high quality phone at 1/2 the price of the rest of the market, and keep it updated and running fast for years. There is obviously more money in selling phones at market rate.

hocuspocus 9y ago
The problem lies with the definition of market rate. I cannot justify spending €300 more than a S8+. I've had many Nexus devices and always felt like I was getting a discount in exchange for being a beta tester. Then Google raised their pricing to match the iPhone's, yet I don't see much improvement in quality control (both hardware and software) or in operations (they're still incapable of a worldwide launch or proper stock management, despite volumes that are a fraction of their competitors'). I don't even understand how the Pixel 1 was fairly successful in the US (subsidized phones and project Fi maybe?)
riku_iki 9y ago
Nexus phones were probably subsidized to promote Android ecosystem.
- com2kid 9y ago
  I think Nexus phones sacrificed in the materials department to hit their price point. Other phones from Chinese manufacturers had similar specs, so it isn't impossible. Custom tooling for complex industrial design is expensive, and the Nexus series tended to re-use existing phone designs wholesale, which also likely cut costs. Since I put a case on my phone anyway, I don't particularly care about the industrial design. I also understand I am not in the majority there. But a $500 premium is a lot...