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They still are, in the same exact way: with contracts. I haven't paid for an iPhone with cash, ever; I only have to sign a multi-year contract, just like it was
by garciasn 1y ago
They still are, in the same exact way: with contracts. I haven't paid for an iPhone with cash, ever; I only have to sign a multi-year contract, just like it was in the past. I am currently using an iPhone 16 for 'free' in this way.
It's just that people now want the latest and greatest NOW and are willing to pay monthly rates to do so, instead of waiting a few months for whatever carrier deal there is.
- icedchai 1y agoThere are some good deals out there where you basically get a free phone. However, I've also seen ones adding another $20 - $40 to your monthly bill for the duration of the contract.
- garciasn 1y agoI only do the ones where they charge you for the phone but immediately reverse it as part of the contract; so, I'm net zero on phone charges aside from the contract which I'd have anyway.
- koolba 1y agoYou’re still paying for it. It’s already baked into the price of the contract. Simple rule of thumb is to subtract $10/mo/line from your phone bill and the remainder is what you’re paying for the phone subsidy. Which is even worse if you don’t actually milk them for a new device every two years.
- icedchai 1y agoThat's pretty good. I bought an unlocked phone and switched to T-Mobile prepaid. I'm paying like $15/month + tax.
- ta1243 1y agoWhether you pay $40 a month to apple for 2 years and $10 a month for your contract, or $50 a month for a contract for 2 years with a "free" phone, doesn't change anything (other than being locked into the airtime contract needlessly)