Innovation or e-waste? Apple rumored to ditch headphone jack

[ApK]

wan

Originally Posted by dickloraine

I'm not into smartphones, but isn't the biggest factor for replacing them the 2 years phone contracts? And the hiding of the prices by monthly fees and that the phone companies make special deals for devices, if you choose a contract. Few people actually pay 600€ cash to buy a iphone. They get it with the contract and 20€ more a month.

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but I think I'm safe in saying that, no, the contract is not the biggest factor in upgrading, but, when you do get a subsidized phone with a contract, it can be major factor in NOT upgrading until you get your subsidy.
I don't go for those pay full price over time deals, which encourage frequent upgrades to the newest phones. I see them as akin to car leases.
I prefer to stay with one phone as long as possible, and I'd prefer to get the subsidized price (for me, usually free, or a few dollars) when I do want or need a new one.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Would you want to?

It had precious little memory, inferior connectivity, very few specialized apps, and its software is considered insecure these days.

The world moved on. At some point, practicality has to take over. But yes, I suppose I could Google and find someone using one.

Smartphones and cars are really bad comparisons though.

Isn't that planned obsolescence? Obsolescence by software and equipment design? (And the joy is the company can pick exactly when they want to obsolete the hardware...)

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by ApK

I don't go for those pay full price over time deals, which encourage frequent upgrades to the newest phones. I see them as akin to car leases.

Some are. But quite a few are merely interest-free loans.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Isn't that planned obsolescence? Obsolescence by software and equipment design? (And they joy is the company can pick exactly when they want to obsolete the hardware...

No, not necessarily. Technology advances and grows, its prices fall...and then is adopted.

In other words, they couldn't have made an iPhone six back then - many of the components and manufacturing processes probably weren't available then...and if they were, almost certainly not at the wholesale prices for which Apple is able to acquire them today.

Also, companies can't predict what features will become important to consumers.

edit: and computer security is an on-going thing.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Some are. But quite a few are merely interest-free loans.

Can be, but the intent of those programs (Verizon Edge, etc) is to get you to keep getting a new phone at a non-subsidized price, and keep making payments.

And while I'm sure you can, as you suggest, just hold on to one phone and keep using it after it's fully paid off, Personally, I'd prefer to get that phone, or a similar one, for $20 dollars with a subsidy rather than pay back that interest free loan for $500. :-)
As long as I'm happy with my carrier, anyway.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by ApK

Can be, but the intent of those programs (Verizon Edge, etc) is to get you to keep getting a new phone at a non-subsidized price, and keep making payments.

And while I'm sure you can, as you suggest, just hold on to one phone and keep using it after it's fully paid off, Personally, I'd prefer to get that phone, or a similar one, for $20 dollars with a subsidy rather than pay back that interest free loan for $500. :-)
As long as I'm happy with my carrier, anyway.

The problem with the subsidized phones is that you pay an extra $25 every month and that extra doesn't go away after the phone would have been paid in full. I'm glad they got rid of that and I pay full price for my phones. I got the original Nexus 5 32 gb for $350. If that was on contract after only 14 months I would have paid $350 extra and every month after that the phone company wins.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by ApK

Can be, but the intent of those programs (Verizon Edge, etc) is to get you to keep getting a new phone at a non-subsidized price, and keep making payments.

Which isn't much different than the inflated subsidized plans, often with a two year contract. Many are either doing a 2 year interest free loan to pay for the phone or paying extra for their service for 2 years in order to get the phone for a subsidized price.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

The problem with the subsidized phones is that you pay an extra $25 every month and that extra doesn't go away after the phone would have been paid in full. I'm glad they got rid of that and I pay full price for my phones. I got the original Nexus 5 32 gb for $350. If that was on contract after only 14 months I would have paid $350 extra and every month after that the phone company wins.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Which isn't much different than the inflated subsidized plans, often with a two year contract. Many are either doing a 2 year interest free loan to pay for the phone or paying extra for their service for 2 years in order to get the phone for a subsidized price.

Except that in many cases (including mine) there is no 'inflation' for the subsidized plans. The data quantities offered on the new plan are cheaper, but add in the other costs and the old way is still cheaper for many of us.
I did the math when it was offered to me, and I see many forum posts of folks saying the same thing.
And as my carrier has been either reducing my costs over the last couple years, or giving me more data for the same cost, I see no inflation at all.

I have no doubt that depending on their particular wants and needs, the new way will work out cheaper for some folks, but I'm sure glad they still offer the old way.

I wish it was all cheaper, of course.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Whenver your battery on your very expensive Iphone is dead, you cannot ask a generic phone fixer with the right skills/tools or that friend with the same, to fix it for you.

Really? What about this:
http://www.geniusphonerepair.com/iphone-repair.php

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by ApK

Except that in many cases (including mine) there is no 'inflation' for the subsidized plans. The data quantities offered on the new plan are cheaper, but add in the other costs and the old way is still cheaper for many of us.
I did the math when it was offered to me, and I see many forum posts of folks saying the same thing.
And as my carrier has been either reducing my costs over the last couple years, or giving me more data for the same cost, I see no inflation at all.

I have no doubt that depending on their particular wants and needs, the new way will work out cheaper for some folks, but I'm sure glad they still offer the old way.

I wish it was all cheaper, of course.

So who's your carrier? I haven't been very happy with AT&T lately.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Shane R

Some are. But quite a few are merely interest-free loans.

Read the very fine print before deciding on which way to buy a phone. Sometimes that free isn't so free.
Also comparison shop first.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

So who's your carrier? I haven't been very happy with AT&T lately.

Verizon.

I'll PM you with some of my plan details if you'd like to compare.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by ApK

Verizon.

I'll PM you with some of my plan details if you'd like to compare.

No thanks. I prefer gsm phones - they work everywhere including overseas.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

No thanks. I prefer gsm phones - they work everywhere including overseas.

Another area where I wish there was a bit more standardization...like universality.

[Rbneader]

I wouldn't buy a phone that didn't have a standard headphone jack. I don't see a reason to replace my excellent headphones with a lower quality substitute just I can spend more time and money charging easily-misplaced earbuds.

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

No thanks. I prefer gsm phones - they work everywhere including overseas.

I've been surprisingly satisfied with TMobile for several years. I'm happy to PM if you would like details.