The danger in Verizon's new $299 phones
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144 Comments
1. Snapdude posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:50 2 0
couldnt have said it any better! carriers are looking to raise bottom line profits upfront by lowering subsidies so they see profit from the get go, not jus waiting until the subsidy is paid off. If this scheme works i fully agree att and possiblly sprint will follow shortly. but without better resoning consumers will fail to understand the process and may ultimately lose this battle with price tags in the end :/
117. narley posted on 18 Oct 2011, 20:10 1 0
each phone that has been both dual core and LTE will be 299.99.
Anything that is ONLY LTE or ONLY Dualcore has been less...
I just wrapped up your entire page in a sentence.
125. Lucas777 posted on 18 Oct 2011, 21:07 5 1
i really think verizon is making a mistake and android manufacturers are making a big mistake... before when the droid was say the same price as the iphone, salesman could convince customers to buy the droid that supposeddly was even better... but with this price raising, peope will simply buy the iphone... (i say this becuase most people get very caught up in the price of the phone even though its only a small part of the 2 year payment)... i personally do not think the iphone is mid teir, because its real world experience is far superior to what its specs wud refer to... we tend to base specs on android phones where i dont think thye are fully utilized, as they are on the iphone..
142. gdbw posted on 19 Oct 2011, 13:49 0 0
In most of western Europe they either give these phones away or charge you a minimal $50 for an 18 month contact. Some carriers over sea's will even toss in a free DVD player or what not just for signing up with them. I for both Verizon and AT&T over the past 6 years; we are being ripped off by the cell carriers in this country!
2. andro. posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:54 6 10
It doesn't matter what pricing the iphone 4s is it turns out that its a massively faulty phonew and those you were suckered into buying it not only have last years phone on their hands but also a faulty one
Iphone 4s faulty screen:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16416545?tstart=0#1641 6545?tstart=0
http://www.slashgear.com/some-iphone-4s-users-claim-to-have-yellow-screen-discoloration-18188672/
Iphone 4s appalling battery:
http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2011/10/17/iphone-4s-battery-life-video-and-mirroring-over-heating/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3391947?start=30&tstart =0
4. MichaelHeller posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:55 8 2
Unfortunately, Apple has already sold enough iPhones that any issues it has won't really matter overall. People who were waiting will still buy it.
105. Paden posted on 18 Oct 2011, 19:29 1 2
All phone models have defective units. I certainly wouldn't keep buying Apple products if this happened all the time...
118. bucky posted on 18 Oct 2011, 20:13 1 0
Andro, you r a goof! Do you have any idea how many android phones have issues? Stop bashing blindly. Even android owners like myself dont side with you...
121. remixfa posted on 18 Oct 2011, 20:39 1 1
all first run handsets have issues. its first adopter syndrome. we like to focus on when the big names have the issue, but reality is all brands have the same issue. first run phones get all the glitches that get ironed out in 2nd/3rd run phones. If you dont want the glitches, wait a month or 2.
the difference is how the manufacturer decides to handle it. If they own up to it and replace/fix/update the defective hardware, then its all good. if they ignore it then i hope angry customers bash the doors in until they are heard.
132. Landmarkcm posted on 19 Oct 2011, 01:08 0 0
Lol. obviously a strictly android fanboy. I never thought id be team apple actually but best Sprint phone all around ive ever had! & finally one to stick with instead of wondering what new droid is out every other day. Theres a reason why apple holds the best resale value as well. You can find good and bad with all devices. Your article links are not widespread problems.
3. GoodFella posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:54 3 1
You'd be really surprised how many people in my store ordered the $299.99 32GB iPhone. I think since the 64GB Phone came out, many people are thinking, "Oh, I'll just get the one below it" and they are still paying $299.99 for a phone. I see the point of the article, and there will be some people who will turn away from that price point, but I am not sure its that drastic.
6. WsuppMjay posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:56 5 0
Oh please, stop the complaining! At the end of the day they are still subsidized !! Here in Belgium we have to pay the full price if we want to buy a cell phone, no subsidies whatsoever !!! :(
86. SPcamert posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:42 2 0
Thank you! The concept of a "subsidized" phone is unique to America anyway. Any subsidies given to a phone automatically dilute the value of the product in the eyes of the consumer anyway. You think those "free" phones are actually free? No. Try almost $200 in most cases. Companies just give them away because no one would ever pay that for them anymore and the relative value of the phone in the eyes of the consumer is so much less because of other offerings. If no company offered subsidies in America you can bet there'd be a lot less iPhones and a lot less DROIDs activated. If customer's are willing to pay $299.99 on contract for a 4G phone then that is their market value not necessarily reflective of their suggested retail price. If they don't sell the prices will drop. What's amazing to me is that American wireless providers still offer discounts this high given the surrounding global market.
91. MichaelHeller posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:56 2 0
Yes, but those subsidies are usually passed along to the customer anyway through higher monthly costs on the plan, and it comes with the limits of a 2 year contract.
8. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 16:58 3 2
Iphone 4S middle tier really mike give me one good reason besides specs why it is middle tier. Its a 4G handset it is dual core it has siri its made of premium materials etc. its even priced well how good of a deal is that!
11. Snapdude posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:02 2 0
and siri is software based not hardware which means no real impact to production cost
26. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:14 0 0
What does cost have to do with anything.
28. Snapdude posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:16 2 0
production cost has much to do with what the end price of the phone will be to the comsumer... if it costs more to make it will cost more to buy from the manufacturer which means higher cost for the customer... siri is not hardware based so it costs next to nothing to implement on the phone which means it wont raise prodction cost so it should not be factored into the customer price for a device
32. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:24 0 0
I am talking about high end or not. Not price.
128. rajeshmavji posted on 18 Oct 2011, 23:15 0 0
siri is maid available after some R&D of course. And you think that only hardware costs then why the followup apps on markets have a price????
124. c.hack posted on 18 Oct 2011, 21:01 0 0
Actually, the iPhone 4S uses its GPU to help process Siri I/O. That's one of the reasons it won't run on the iPhone 4.
18. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:09 0 2
On at&t it does 14.4 mb/s which means it is a 4g handset. Thats the same speed as the atria 4g. There is no debating this its a 4g handset.
27. Snapdude posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:15 3 0
14.4 is not true 4g, just "att's 4g"
31. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:21 1 3
It meets the goverments standard for 4G so its 4G. No debate.
36. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:28 4 1
For AT&T, yes.
For Verizon, no.
For Sprint, no.
Since "4G" is only available on 1/3 carriers, no.
Also this is a Verizon post, AT&T has nothing to do with this. No debate.
Premium materials? lol.
33. MichaelHeller posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:25 2 0
There is debate that any phone in the US can be called "4g", because technically 4g is supposed to be somewhere around 100-150 MB. And specifically going by Verizon terms the iPhone isn't 4g because it doesn't have LTE.
47. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:40 2 0
Yes but you are calling the iphone upper mid tier as a whole though. You should be more specific that at&t is not included in this discusion. Whats snapdude was saying was its not a 4G device as a whole which isnt true. You should be also more specific how you are talking mid tier price wise not phone wise.
92. MichaelHeller posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:57 2 1
The only carrier I mention throughout the entire piece is Verizon, why would I need to be more specific that I'm not talking about any other carriers?
113. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 19:59 0 0
I thought you were saying the iPhone is a mid tier device as a whole I didn't realize you were saying it was pitted against mid tier devices on verizon because it isn't 4g.
14. WsuppMjay posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:03 0 0
You ask for one good reason why the iPhone 4s is a middle tier device but the argument cannot be based on the specifications of the device ? Does that really make any sense to you ? :o
19. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:10 0 0
Ok look at this way a gt-r is faster then ferrari 458. You going to tell me that the gt-r is high end and the 458 is not?
38. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:30 0 0
That's an easy answer.
I mean would you buy a Nissan or a Ferrari? The Ferrari is the premium producer here, not the Nissan. They will charge higher regardless if it's faster or not.
53. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:44 0 0
I think u missed the point. Which is just because something is cheaper doesnt make it worse.
52. WsuppMjay posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:43 1 0
Okay so basically you're trying to say that the iPhone 4s should be considered a high end device regardless of it's specifications because it came from Apple?
54. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:45 1 0
What i am saying is that the iphone shouldnt not be considered not high end because its subsidized price is fair.
65. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:53 1 2
Yes, but in Verizon's eyes, it is mid-tier. It isn't capable of their latest technology which they are trying so hard to push.
67. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:54 1 0
It verizon eyes its mid tier price wise not phone wise.
72. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:02 1 1
...
Price wise =/= phone wise? lol.
You're refusing to believe the fact that Verizon is pricing the phone at a mid level price because to them it is a mid level device.
Sure you can use the same analogy with you selling your poop for a premium, but the problem with that is you're marking the price of your poop up with no added bonuses in your poop. If I were to stick a $100 in my poop and try to sell it for a premium, you can bet my poop will be set at a higher premium than yours.
74. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:05 2 1
You can sell anything at whatever price you want it doesn't make it high end. You are so naive to believe just because something is more expensive its better.
78. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:13 1 0
Says the person who is incapable of believing the iPhone can't be pushed into the mid-tier level... lol
I don't know what the problem is with you but start thinking with logic on your future posts. Your emotions are clouding your thoughts.
Other Verizon devices, yes LTE.
iPhone, no LTE.
Other Verizon devices, high tier.
iPhone, mid tier.
With a company trying to push out their latest technology, only to receive a believed "high end" device incapable of doing so while others are, you bet those incapabilities are going to devalue it.
85. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:39 1 1
Your are very cloosed minded to think one feature makes somethig high end. The iphone doesnt have lte to make it bat life better. It is still high end though due too its amazinf app store, retina display, and soo much more.
90. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 18:55 2 0
No, you're the one that seems to be close minded. In a world where we live on data speeds, LTE is probably the current best technology advancement.
If Apple produced an iPhone with every capability in the world, I wouldn't have a problem with it being $600 on contract. I'd go out and buy that iPhone for $600. The fact of the matter is, it doesn't and you're feeling butthurt because what you thought was a high-end device is now being outclassed by another one.
The fact that you decided to bring software into this to confirm your definition of high end shows you have nothing else to defend yourself and have given into the fact that the iPhone is inferior to the LTE enabled devices in terms of value.
143. mjt1111 posted on 19 Oct 2011, 14:04 0 0
You know Im tired of the apple debate. A smart consumer would either wait for the next iPhone because the current upgrades on this phone are a joke... expect for the camera so I've read. They are counting on there consumers to push there products and post on blogs like this. The reality is most people don't know what they are buying. Sure "it just works" mentality is cool. Hey if your happy with old tech and boring user interface more power to you. I think it's sad that Apple who only has to produce one phone could even invest its consumers money find a solution give consumers LTE. Pretty sad if you ask me. Don't worry the next iphone will probably have it and you will pay again for outdated tech. The only people that argue about the LTE debate are those that want it and can't have or a at the very least those that haven't used it. You are paying the same for data why won't want faster speeds for the same price? especially on a new "advanced device" That is what makes the iphone a mid-range device with high-end sticker price.
Just some thoughts.....hate this stupid debate apple vs andiod
16. Scuba_Steve posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:05 0 0
Pricing tier for Verizon. It's not a 4G phone on Verizon so with pricnig it's a premium 3G device and if you look at the 16GB iPhone4s *most popular* Then it's correctly seen as a middle tier phone. *Pricing wise*
23. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:11 1 0
Price doesn't make something high end. I can sell a piece of my s**t for 1 billion dollars. Is my piece of s**t high end. I don't think so!
29. Scuba_Steve posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:19 0 0
However a premium device does cost more than a non-premium device. That's in any market, just not phones.
So I don't get what you're trying to say?
37. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:29 0 0
You can charge whatever you want for your product that doesnt make it high end. Just because the iphone is dairly priced doesnt make it a low end device.
42. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:34 2 1
You're only attacking this situation hard because the iPhone isn't seen as a "premium" device due to its price right now...
50. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:41 2 0
Its is a premium device i dont care what it costs.
55. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:46 2 1
So why are you getting mad Michael called it an upper middle-tier device? Verizon's pricing shows that if your phone is capable of LTE, +$100.
59. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:49 1 1
Im not mad first of all. Second of all if he wants to make a point that the iphone is priced lower because of no lte fine. If he wants to say the iphone is mid tier i disagree.
61. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:50 2 1
Not capable of LTE in Verizon's standard is mid-tier. All of Verizon's "high-end" phones are coming out with LTE.
100. Scuba_Steve posted on 18 Oct 2011, 19:18 1 0
I'm not saying it's a bad device. IMO this is how I see Verizons setup. Premium device will include LTE and 32(+)GB of memory. So if you look at the 16GB iPhone it's $200 now look at a 32GB, it's $300 those seem like proper prices in accordence with my ideas. The 8GB is only $100 Does that make the phone s**ttier no.
Also, we do not control the price of the iPhone, Apple does. They tell us what we can sell it as so this whole debate is balderdash. .
17. Snapdude posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:07 1 0
following your logic the droid x2 and droid 3 are rightfully priced as well so you just proved that the iphone is mid tier, since it is a generally accepted fact that those two dual core phones are mid range. good job :)
25. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:13 0 0
My logic doesn't involve price making something high end or not. Where did I say that?
35. MichaelHeller posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:27 3 2
The whole point is that Verizon is creating tiers based on specs (iPhone has no LTE and only 512 MB of RAM), so no other factors matter in this conversation.
41. biophone posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:32 1 1
You stated that its a mid tier device and i dont get that. Just because verizon is pricing a phone lower just because of its lesser specs doesnt make it mid tier. Its being sold at a mid tier price for sure but its not a mid tier phone. That should be clarified in this article.
45. p0rkguy posted on 18 Oct 2011, 17:38 1 0
How about you see it this way. The iPhones are being sold at a premium price for the standardized $199 on contract while the LTE enabled phones are being sold at a premium + LTE price.
