As advanced as smartphones are getting, they don’t seem to be getting much cheaper. Yes, there are outliers and exceptions to this trend – like the OnePlus Five which gives you a bit of exceptional power for your cash – but for the most part, phones are pretty expensive. To own that pocket piece of power, you’re looking at spending over five-hundred bucks for the right to own it – then you need to find a supplier to provide you with airtime and data, which is going to be a monthly setback for the privilege of using that sim card. Phone ownership is a pretty costly deal.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high cost of phone contracts. These include:
- The cost of smartphones: Smartphones are becoming increasingly sophisticated and expensive. This drives up the cost of phone contracts, as carriers need to recoup the cost of the devices.
- The cost of network infrastructure: Carriers need to invest heavily in network infrastructure in order to provide high-quality service. This cost is passed on to consumers in the form of higher phone bills.
- Competition: The wireless industry is highly competitive, and carriers are constantly trying to outdo each other with new features and services. This drives up the cost of phone contracts, as carriers need to offer more and more to attract customers.
- Government regulations: Government regulations, such as taxes and fees, also contribute to the high cost of phone contracts.
Despite the high cost, phone contracts can be a good value for consumers. They offer a number of benefits, such as:
- Peace of mind: With a phone contract, you know that you’ll always have a phone to use, even if your device breaks or is lost or stolen.
- Access to new features: Carriers are constantly adding new features to their networks, such as faster speeds and more data. With a phone contract, you’ll have access to these new features as soon as they’re available.
- Discounts: Many carriers offer discounts on phones and services to customers who sign up for a contract. These discounts can save you a significant amount of money over the life of your contract.
If you’re considering getting a new phone, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of phone contracts. If you’re looking for peace of mind, access to new features, and discounts, then a phone contract may be a good option for you. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider buying your phone outright and signing up for a prepaid plan.
How and Why Consumers Choose a Smartphone
That’s without speaking about contracts and bundles. To own the latest piece of phone hardware, you’re going to need to sign up with a network and that’s not cheap at all. You’re looking at upfront costs, operating costs and monthly fees. This is all pretty expensive, especially if you live in the US. There are plenty of factors at play when it comes to the price of phone contracts.
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Why are they so expensive? It could be because the country you live in is big. A phone operator needs to provide service so you can use the phone – and this means it needs the infrastructure in place to provide that service. It does not come for free. These cell towers repeat around every 25 miles, and the bigger the country – the more towers will be needed. If your country is huge, you’ll pay more, just so your provider can actually work. This isn’t the only reason though – companies need to make profit, so if costs are high, prices will be too – and a company will look to squeeze as much money out of you as possible, simply because a phone is a necessity. The industry of phones is very greedy indeed, but it makes a lot of money and shows no signs of slowing down. If you want the latest and greatest, you’re going to have to pay for it.
Paying full price for your new phone is a good idea
How can you combat this? You can negotiate a deal with a provider, but you won’t have much success usually. They know that you need a phone and you won’t have much bargaining power unless you’ve been a customer with them for years. Unfortunately, you won’t have much luck here unless you can persuade a network, but that will take some doing. Other than that, you’ll have to order an unlocked phone and choose your own supplier. It’s a bit more work, but it could save you money, and it gives you some options. You’ll certainly find the phone you wanted for a good deal, unless it’s a network exclusive.
Because of a lack of competition, because of high costs and because of greed. That’s why contracts are so expensive, but you’re not powerless. Unless you’re a complete slave to consumerism, there’s no reason to buy into pricey contracts. Keep the power with you and shop wisely.
