In the US, at least, its common to simply pay that $1k phone over time on a plan - or simply never stop paying off a phone through an upgrade program, either th

In the US, at least, its common to simply pay that $1k phone over time on a plan - or simply never stop paying off a phone through an upgrade program, either through their carrier or direct (e.g. iPhone Upgrade Program). $30/mo doesn't hit as hard as $1100 up front. For some consumers, its a fundamentally different way of thinking.