Launch: Bezos Gone Wild! Amazon Selling Every Non-iPhone Smartphone for One Penny

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Even if they're not giving away their phones, Apple still enjoys bigger subsidies than the other manufacturers are getting.

Subsidies from whom?

[=X=]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Even if they're not giving away their phones, Apple still enjoys bigger subsidies than the other manufacturers are getting. That's not even counting the extra money they get for in-store or Apple.com new/upgrade contract activations. Apple's also given far more concessions compared to other manufacturers. It'll be interesting to see how long that state will continue.

I'm not saying Apple is isn't making money nor getting sweet deals; Sprints $15B deal is testament to that. My point is regarding the absurd statement that implies they are the only ones making money and the others are not because of the $.01 price.


=X=

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by =X=

My point is regarding the absurd statement that implies they are the only ones making money and the others are not because of the $.01 price.

It's the consumer that still gets screwed in the end. The carriers are paying Amazon for all those new sign-ups. Manufacturers are still getting their subsidies. Meanwhile, the customers are tied to expensive 2-year contracts.

T-Mobile actually has two types of postpaid plans - Classic and Value. With the Classic Plan, you get subsidized equipment. With the Value Plan, you bring your own device but you pay a much lower monthly fee.

Classic Plan Family
1000 Minutes $60
Unlimited Text $20
Line 1 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $20
Line 2 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $20
Line 3 Add-A-Line Fee $10
Line 3 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $20
Line 4 Add-A-Line Fee $10
Line 4 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $20
Monthly Total (before taxes): $180
2-year Total: $4,320

Value Plan Family
1000 Minutes $50
Unlimited Text $10
Line 1 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $10
Line 2 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $10
Line 3 Add-A-Line Fee $5
Line 3 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $10
Line 4 Add-A-Line Fee $5
Line 4 Unlimited Plus (2GB) $10
Monthly Total (before taxes): $110
2-year Total: $2,640

That's a difference of $1,680 - enough to buy 4 mid-range (or last year's high-end) smartphones. Another thing, data plans are optional on T-Mobile if you bring your own device and their pay per use data plans are probably one of the fairest in the market.

*sigh* I wish more carriers would adopt T-Mobile's Value Plan model. I hate how carriers are trying to gain customers through equipment exclusivity deals instead of through improved service and fair pricing.

[luqmaninbmore]

I loved T-Mobile, but I'm annoyed they got rid of the a la carte "Webpass." I would much rather they had increased the price for it, if that was the problem. Oh wells. I'm still paying less than $25 a month for my phone, with my usage pattern.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Apple's also given far more concessions compared to other manufacturers. It'll be interesting to see how long that state will continue.

I doubt much longer. Some providers here don't want to sell Apple stuff anymore because they must first sell their soul to Apple before they can even sell their phone...

[rhadin]

The problem with T-Mobile has been limited coverage areas. For example, I'm 70 miles north of New York City and T-Mobile coverage, according to friends who have it, is very spotty.

[monkeyluis]

This is why the market share #'s are skewed.

[Daithi]

I don't use my phone that often, so I have T-Mobile's pre-paid plan. I pay $100 for 1,000 minutes and it takes me about 9 months to use them, so it costs me about $125 a year for my phone. The only drawback is that this doesn't work with a smartphone.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I doubt much longer. Some providers here don't want to sell Apple stuff anymore because they must first sell their soul to Apple before they can even sell their phone...

Providers who focus on low cost models won't be helped by selling iPhones. Mainstream providers will still do almost anything to carry the iPhone due to it being the most popular and most iconic device; it also has a low churn rate. And I think most consumers would much rather have the carrier sell its soul to Apple than to have to sell their own souls to the carrier.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Daithi

I don't use my phone that often, so I have T-Mobile's pre-paid plan. I pay $100 for 1,000 minutes and it takes me about 9 months to use them, so it costs me about $125 a year for my phone. The only drawback is that this doesn't work with a smartphone.

That's odd, I have a cowoker that has that same plan and he has an android phone. I'm not sure if it's a regional plan or things might have changed since you started your plan.

=X=

[Kosst Amojan]

Bah, not eligible for an upgrade til next August. I really want the HTC Titan now.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Kosst Amojan

Bah, not eligible for an upgrade til next August. I really want the HTC Titan now.

August 2012? Just think of how many new and improved Android phones will be released by then

[monkeyluis]

Originally Posted by kjk

August 2012? Just think of how many new and improved Android phones will be released by then

About 200.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by monkeyluis

About 200.

and, of course one new iPhone and one new iPad.

[monkeyluis]

Originally Posted by kjk

and, of course one new iPhone and one new iPad.

Good...