Other Why spend $1K every year on a phone?

[rbrian]

£1,000 is £1,000 to the customer whether the money is going to Apple, the gummint or otherwise... when exchange rates are low and the price in £ goes up, it’s pretty unlikely you or I have received an equivalent pay boost, so it costs more to us either way. Not apple’s fault but still apple’s problem at the end of the day!

You’re right, but my point is that $1,000 isn’t $1,000 to an American customer, so it isn’t a fair comparison.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

Why buy any luxury item? Because those who choose to do so can.

 

[aneftp]

You buy at launch and get promos every year?

I figured out the game with att next/Verizon device payment game. Just wait 5-6 weeks after launch. The gift card promos will come. I got my iPhone 8 Plus Around early November at Sams club. So around 6 weeks after launch.

I paid off after 15 days. Am eligible for another promo. Never do monthly credits spread over 30 months. That’s a bad promo unless u don’t plan to upgrade often.

 

[Julienne]

The yearly upgrades are minimal so there’s no point in spending $1K every year. At this point your phone should last 2 years easily, if not 3.

I haven't upgraded because I’m not an upgrader. I buy my devices and use them until they break or become unusable for other reasons like iOS upgrades. I got a new battery in my 7 and it works fine.

kept my iPhone 5 for 4 years. I intend to keep this one even longer before I upgrade again.

 

[tonybarnaby]

I’ve never in my life owned a phone for more than a year. I’m hoping my 8 plus lasts 2-3 years.

 

[MyOikos]

The yearly upgrades are minimal so there’s no point in spending $1K every year. At this point your phone should last 2 years easily, if not 3.

[doublepost=1525050010][/doublepost]Why spend $500 a year on upgrades that are only upgrades as determined by Apple. Doubling battery life is an upgrade. Adding our own SIM cards for memory expansion is an upgrade. Having optic readers, pressure sensitive screens, a few extra pixels are not real upgrades. To simple have techie upgrades is not worth the investment. Apple and carriers needs to know a growing population are tired of the marginal upgrade game.

 

[nrvna76]

[doublepost=1525050010][/doublepost]Why spend $500 a year on upgrades that are only upgrades as determined by Apple. Doubling battery life is an upgrade. Adding our own SIM cards for memory expansion is an upgrade. Having optic readers, pressure sensitive screens, a few extra pixels are not real upgrades. To simple have techie upgrades is not worth the investment. Apple and carriers needs to know a growing population are tired of the marginal upgrade game.

Not sure you get to define what an ‘upgrade’ is for everybody. Each person can decide what to buy for whatever their own reasons are. I don’t think people are tired of the marginal upgrade game. In the instance of the iPhone X, they just didn’t want to pay that much for it.

 

[StarShot]

I've been reflecting on the awesome mass of technology at my daily command currently, an iP7+. Why would I want to spend a grand to buy a new phone? Yes, I know my carrier and others offer new-ever-so-often plans that make my annual investment more like $500 a year, but why continue to hang on every rumor of possible upgrades that only make micro-improvements to my daily use.

Haven't any idea as to what your carrier does to reduce your annual "investment" to $500. However, I would point out last year was the first time Apple breached the century mark AFAIK.

I've had every phone in the lineup since the 3G and I've always sold the previous model for about $200 less than the previous model. Not $1000, not $500 but $200 or less.

That said, I'm thinking the X will break/smash the $200 in the resale market ($300-$400). While I like the screen size of my X, I could care less about the "notch" factor. I definitely DON'T like the gestures because of the missing home button.

 

[PhoneMe1]

I upgrade every year, have had my X since release day, it was so expensive here $1529. Although its a business phone so a right off. I do buy and sell a few iPhones/Samsung for a bit of cash to help my tech addiction which helps.
Also get to play with whatever else is available.
If you can wait and not buy on release there is some bargains to be had, examples in the last month, i ended up keeping both for my wife and daughter and sold their 6s plus and SE:

iP8 plus 256gb $809 new price $1479AUD 1 week old. ebay.
iP8 256gb $600 new price $1329AUD 1 week old. gumtree.

Also Note 8 $600 sold $810.

 

[Dodgeman]

I do not know. Why would you?

My wife and I upgrade every 2 to 3.5 years with our tax refund. We don't sell our old phones and currently we are still using our 6s and 6s+.

It's always been this way for us so your question is not one we ever ask ourselves.

It would be nice to be able to afford phones every year, but we've never had that kind of cash.

Either way its a phone at the end of the day, as long as the current one is working flawless then there should be no issue or incentive to upgrade unless the features are drastic or you have that money to blow.
[doublepost=1525055913][/doublepost]

I upgrade every year, have had my X since release day, it was so expensive here $1529. Although its a business phone so a right off. I do buy and sell a few iPhones/Samsung for a bit of cash to help my tech addiction which helps.
Also get to play with whatever else is available.
If you can wait and not buy on release there is some bargains to be had, examples in the last month, i ended up keeping both for my wife and daughter and sold their 6s plus and SE:

iP8 plus 256gb $809 new price $1479AUD 1 week old. ebay.
iP8 256gb $600 new price $1329AUD 1 week old. gumtree.

Also Note 8 $600 sold $810.

How much did you sell the Note 8 for?
600 or 800?
And where did you sell it at?

 

[PhoneMe1]

How much did you sell the Note 8 for?
600 or 800?
And where did you sell it at?

I sold the POS for $810 bought for $600 I am in Australia and sell to a company that buys used phones, they have set prices so you can check their website before buying a phone.

 

[torana355]

Because some people have extra money and they choose to spend it on technology. With that said phones are at a point now where getting 2-3 years use out of them should be very easy.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Unless you're the type to hold onto a phone until it's considered obsolete, you're really not saving much money by waiting longer to upgrade. iPhones hold their resale value well, which makes annual upgrades sensible. Even the carriers' upgrade programs are quite favorable offers.

 

[aakshey]

In India a brand new iPhone 7 128 GB with 2 years AppleCare costs like USD 850.

If you sell the same phone with 1 yr warranty left (when new is at 850) the old one will sell for USD 400ish tops.

 

[abcdefghijklmno]

Here’s my theory. Your phone is the computer you use / interact with most often, every day. Therefore it makes sense to buy the fastest/newest/most capacious phone you can afford.

As has been demonstrated here, it shouldn’t be an outright 1k cost each year. But without causing yourself difficulties, your tech-life will be much easier if you have the best phone you can afford.

2c.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Because it is my money, and I shall spend it how I want? Easiest answer I can give you.

I have had everyone iPhone, original through the iPhone X. When they went to normal and plus versions my history went like this...6s, 7+, X. Still own my 6s and 7+ as backups, not really sure why the 6s anymore.

Edit: Before someone gets on me about it. Technically, now I have not had every version since I got the X over the 8.

 

[44267547]

Because it is my money, and I shall spend it how I want? Easiest answer I can give you.

I have had everyone iPhone, original through the iPhone X. When they went to normal and plus versions my history went like this...6s, 7+, X. Still own my 6s and 7+ as backups, not really sure why the 6s anymore.

Edit: Before someone gets on me about it, technically now I have not had every version since I got the X over the 8.

Nothing wrong with your post and nobody should be getting on you about it, because it’s your decision. Everybody has different preferences of what they like with technology and some are just more prone to appreciating upgrades over others. But I also think you will find more of your kind in here, because it’s a tech site that others share your passion about.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Nothing wrong with your post and nobody should be getting on you about it, because it’s your decision. Everybody has different preferences of what they like with technology and some are just more prone to appreciating upgrades over others. But I also think you will find more of your kind in here, because it’s a tech site that others share your passion about.

Well I do love new technology so that is why I get the new iPhone every year, but this past year was special because we had the tenth anniversary iPhone coming out with a major new feature, FaceID. I was not thrilled about the $1,150.00 price tag on it, but wanted the phone and have the means so I pulled the trigger.

Also, what I meant about someone getting on me about it, was that someone would have probably called out me and said I have not owned every iPhone model since the original because I obviously got the X over the 8. That is why I put that little edit in that post. You know how some people can be on this site, smart alecks.

 

[44267547]

Well I do love new technology so that is why I get the new iPhone every year, but this past year was special because we had the tenth anniversary iPhone coming out with a major new feature, FaceID. I was not thrilled about the $1,150.00 price tag on it, but wanted the phone and have the means so I pulled the trigger.

Also, what I meant about someone getting on me about it, was that someone would have probably called out me and said I have not owned every iPhone model since the original because I obviously got the X over the 8. That is why I put that little edit in that post. You know how some people can be on this site, smart alecks.

We all have a liking for technology, otherwise we would not frequent this website. But I think everybody values how they spend their money differently with technology. Some are more the content having an older iPhone and some like to have the newest iPhone when it launches every year. Everybody justifies their preferences for iPhones and features on why they upgrade and some upgrade no matter what Apple introduces. I don’t think there is anything wrong with upgrading annually, because everybody will have different appreciations. With the rising cost of smart phones, I do think consumers are being more skeptical and asking themselves do they really need to upgrade based on their current situation with the phone they are using in the present time.

 

[SRLMJ23]

We all have a liking for technology, otherwise we would not frequent this website. But I think everybody values how they spend their money differently with technology. Some are more the content having an older iPhone and some like to have the newest iPhone when it launches every year. Everybody justifies their preferences for iPhones and features on why they upgrade and some upgrade no matter what Apple introduces. I don’t think there is anything wrong with upgrading annually, because everybody will have different appreciations. With the rising cost of smart phones, I do think consumers are being more skeptical and asking themselves do they really need to upgrade based on their current situation with the phone they are using in the present time.

Great post, 100% agree. If we do get a X Plus this year (which it is almost guaranteed we will) I will upgrade to that. However, if for some strange reason we do not, Apple better blow me away with the tech/features on whatever the next X will be called or even I might just skip this upcoming cycle and keep my X.

 

[Naaaaak]

I skipped last year's cycle. There was no point if you owned a 7s.

The iPhone 8 is a slightly better 7s and the X has a dumb notch.

I'm done paying for "slightly better" and Apple's awful design aesthetics.

 

[Glideslope]

Why buy any luxury item? Because those who choose to do so can.

True, up to this point. IMO, it no longer is viable for Apple. The gap between the haves and have nots is widening rapidly. Take away Apple's Services Revenue from tomorrows Call, and it is not a pretty sight for Apple 5 years out. I am confident however that the 2018 6.1" LCD will be at a VERY aggressive price. I'm not in the camp that it will be "super cheapened" either. The OLED phones will continue their pricing. The 6.5" will be vastly expensive.

I am very concerned as to Apple's pricing on the new X SE 4". They will raise it to offset thew 6.1". The SE customer values affordability as much if not more than the display size, IMO.

 

[44267547]

Great post, 100% agree. If we do get a X Plus this year (which it is almost guaranteed we will) I will upgrade to that. However, if for some strange reason we do not, Apple better blow me away with the tech/features on whatever the next X will be called or even I might just skip this upcoming cycle and keep my X.

My focus is on the 6.5 iPhone X Plus. I know it will likely be just a larger variant of the 5.8, but I’m hoping they will add some interesting features that that will separate it enough where I can justify the price tag and upgrade. Should be an interesting fall with the 6.1 LCD and 6.5 OLED iPhones.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

The SE customer values affordability

I am actually after the upcoming SE phone (if it is even released), had a few large phones and want to go smaller. While it might just get the A10 and call it a day (I'll probably still get, hopefully at it's current price, or less), if it were to get the rest of the 7/8 features (primary camera, lcd closer to the outer glass, 3d touch, taptic engine and home button), I would be really happy and pay what ever they decided to charge.

If they made a 'flagship' phone in the SE size that would be awesome, dropping a few things in order to fit in the constraints of the chassis.

 

[DNichter]

Depends on the person and what they like to spend their money on. I spend about $700 per year to upgrade my iPad and iPhone each year. They are my only computers so I use them a lot. I have the money and don't mind spending it on these devices.