No-contract iPhones would be good for Apple
A while ago I mentioned that you can avoid telco shenanigans by buying unlocked phones. You get a cheaper plan, you pay less in the long run, and you don't give the company the chance to hit you with early termination fees. Nifer's tweet about her aging iPhone reminded me of another benefit. If you buy an unlocked phone you're not waiting for your contract to run out. You can replace it with a new one any time you want.
I don't see why Apple doesn't jump on this. The stereotyped Apple customer is an upgrade freak. "I don't just have an iPod, I have the very latest iPhone." The subsidized contracts basically prevent iPhone customers from purchasing an iPhone any more frequently than once every two years. Why don't they let you do that?
I realize that most people like the subsidy, which is fine. But what about selling an un-subsidized alternative alongside it? Wouldn't that help Apple sell more iPhones to their upgrade compulsive customers?
I don't see why Apple doesn't jump on this. The stereotyped Apple customer is an upgrade freak. "I don't just have an iPod, I have the very latest iPhone." The subsidized contracts basically prevent iPhone customers from purchasing an iPhone any more frequently than once every two years. Why don't they let you do that?
I realize that most people like the subsidy, which is fine. But what about selling an un-subsidized alternative alongside it? Wouldn't that help Apple sell more iPhones to their upgrade compulsive customers?