What phone *doesn't* cost lots of money after 2 years?

[applegoddess]

This is a rant that's been bottled up since January 2007 (aka the announcement of the original iPhone). Seriously. It has irritated me so much and I can't believe people are STILL repeating it today:

Secondly, the iPhone is *much* more than $200. That's the subsidized price. By the time you finish with the contract, you've spent quite a bit on

Comments

[dwizzy]

My phone.

I always calculate the TCO with my subscription/dataplan.
currently: €12,50 a month, for 18 months, including that ugly E61 I showed you. Including unlimited HTTP and enough credit to call and text with.

[applegoddess]

The iPhone is the first phone EVER where I have heard someone comparing it to the cost of another phone (usually a BlackBerry or other smartphone) by combining the cost of the fucking plan over two years. And I thought I heard it all from lurking on sites like hofo.

[dwizzy]

Perhaps in the US, it's less common. Here in NL, almost everybody more aware, compares the TCO. We have sites like www.telecomvergelijker.nl where you can choose your desired phone, call behaviour and get the total price for your phone and subscription. Comparing the subsidised price is quite unfair, isn't it?

[applegoddess]

if it was even across the board for identical plans I would not be offended. But I've seen jackasses pull out a $2000+ figure for the iPhone vs. their $100 blackberry. It's like they just decided oh, the plan doesn't count for their phone.

It makes total sense to compare TCO for evenly matched phones..or phones you want. Otherwise, nope.

[dwizzy]

welcome to the world of idiots