The SE is here-what now for the Android mid-range?

[rui no onna]

It’s interesting how the iPhone is so dominant in North America, but in Europe it’s only the mid range iPhones that get a look in. Also Samsung dominate with the midrange phones in Latin America and the Middle East.

I think the U.K. stands apart from the rest of Europe as we have about 50% iPhone users.

In the early days of smartphones when 2-year contracts were prevalent, you can get a $199 iPhone with resell value of $200+ at end of contract ($300-400 at 1 yr mark) or a $99-199 Android with practically no residual value. Plan costs were the same (likely in the region of ~$200-240/mo for a family of 4) regardless of what device you chose. You were losing more money choosing Android over iPhone.

Nowadays, there's greater separation of plan and device costs but I expect majority of subscribers in the US are on postpaid with easy access to device installment plans. I reckon having to plop down $700+ cash per phone instead of $25+/mo would make majority of US consumers reconsider their phone choices as well.

There's also income to consider. In the US iirc, annual median income is around USD 60,000 per household or USD 5,000 per month (gross/before tax) so the monthly installments don't look too awful in comparison. Some countries, even that $25/mo installment is a burden. Income in the 90th percentile is ~USD 180,000.

Per Google at today's exchange rate:

USD 60,000 =
GBP 48,600
EUR 55,600
AUD 93,700
MXN 1,462,500
INR 4,575,000

 

[Shanghaichica]

In the early days of smartphones when 2-year contracts were prevalent, you can get a $199 iPhone with resell value of $200+ at end of contract ($300-400 at 1 yr mark) or a $99-199 Android with practically no residual value. Plan costs were the same (likely in the region of ~$200-240/mo for a family of 4) regardless of what device you chose. You were losing more money choosing Android over iPhone.

Nowadays, there's greater separation of plan and device costs but I expect majority of subscribers in the US are on postpaid with easy access to device installment plans. I reckon having to plop down $700+ cash per phone instead of $25+/mo would make majority of US consumers reconsider their phone choices as well.

There's also income to consider. In the US iirc, annual median income is around USD 60,000 per household or USD 5,000 per month (gross/before tax) so the monthly installments don't look too awful in comparison. Some countries, even that $25/mo installment is a burden. Income in the 90th percentile is ~USD 180,000.

Per Google at today's exchange rate:

USD 60,000 =
GBP 48,600
EUR 55,600
AUD 93,700
MXN 1,462,500
INR 4,575,000

I think most in the U.K. have their phones on pay monthly contracts, I suppose which is why there is a high percentage of iPhone users. However, I don’t understand why android ownership is so high in the rest of Europe. I’m sure people in a lot of European countries could afford an iPhone if they wanted. Yet they are choosing android devices instead.

 

[snipr125]

I think most in the U.K. have their phones on pay monthly contracts, I suppose which is why there is a high percentage of iPhone users. However, I don’t understand why android ownership is so high in the rest of Europe. I’m sure people in a lot of European countries could afford an iPhone if they wanted. Yet they are choosing android devices instead.

Shanghaicha you are right that many people have pay monthly contracts here in the UK. This makes it easier to get the more expensive phones on the market like iPhones and galaxy S models. Now however, one can buy an iPhone with good specs for £419 outright and then only pay for a SIM only contract for like £20 pm or even ’pay as you‘ go if they wish. When the SE first launched, the 128 gb versions were selling like hot cakes on amazon/pc world etc and sold out fast. Many of these people were probably initially considering an android phone for their money, but now have an iPhone.

 

[ian87w]

I have a feeling things will be getting more interesting.
Although Qaulcomn is still monopolizing the top end of Android (even Samsung Exynos is now behind), it seems that Mediatek will be disrupting the premium mid-range segment with their Dimensity chips. Qualcomm has a really huge gap in performance between their Snapdragon 8xx series and their SD7xx/6xx chips, leaving non-flagship Android phones in the middling mediocre performance for the longest time. The mediatek Dimensity and Helio G chips seem to be sprucing things up in that segment. Realme and Xiaomi are actively adopting Mediatek now, and even Samsung is trying Mediatek on their Galaxy A41.

 

[Vegastouch]

Who cares anymore. There arent any lines these days to get the new iPhone like there used to be. The fanfare has worn off awhile ago and the cheap iPhone is just to keep customers from going away to cheaper Androids because their regular phones cost too damn much.

Phones are old hat these days. I know some here still have a fetish for them but those people are the minority in this.

 

[vladi]

Surprisingly strong mid ranger from Sony

Sony Xperia 10 II Review

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