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It's an important omission not to mention that Android-based phones prices are declining at a much faster pace than iOS based phones. This is important because
by bpolania 15y ago
It's an important omission not to mention that Android-based phones prices are declining at a much faster pace than iOS based phones. This is important because in many cases updating from one android to the next version (and sometimes to the next next version) is less expensive than buying a simple iPhone, rendering the need for further support unnecessary.
- maukdaddy 15y agoBut people are limited by a 2 year contract for the "cheap" phones. They can't upgrade until that two year period is over. Suggesting that people upgrade to a new phone vs. upgrading software is terrible business and environmental practice!
- vidarh 15y agoYou can't pay to upgrade? I'm in the UK, and here you can upgrade at any time - you'll just pay more for the phone if you upgrade within your current contract period. As for environmental practice, there's a number of companies that'll refurbish used phones and sell them on, and they'll even give you a bit of cash for it if it's a reasonably recent phone. Here in the UK most of them will send you a prepaid envelope you can just drop your old phone in, and mail you a check when they receive it.
- gujk 15y agoI don't know about the middling phones, but flagship Nexus and iOS phones have been $540 - $600 unsubsidized. For a 2 vs 3 year lifespan (to be generous to Android), you would need a $400 Android to balance a $600 iPhone. You can't compare a $100 vs $200 subsidized phone, since that is just hiding the cost in the contract, which can be avoided.
- adolph 15y agoYes, it does play to the carriers' customer retention biz plan for folks to upgrade HW to get the latest OS annually rather than when the contract runs out.
- woobar 15y agoI am confused. Are you saying that high depreciation is good?