Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Apr 2010
- Posts
- 3,034
Interesting video on current smart phone prices and why they are so high.
Why are smartphones so expensive?
- Thread starter Razor Time
- Start date
- Joined
- 1 Apr 2010
- Posts
- 3,034
So you didn't watch the video.
It's quite a lightweight article. "Things are more expensive because they are getting better." With the exception of camera modules (where I can understand the additional cost), every other example is just a case of newer SoC, better screen, different modems etc. The idea of technology getting better is supposed to mean that it improves independent of the asking price.
Somehow the link is broken - as consumers we're being asked to pay a higher price for the newest tech (not just an inflationary increase), which means we're effectively being double charged for the benefits of technological advancement.
Somehow the link is broken - as consumers we're being asked to pay a higher price for the newest tech (not just an inflationary increase), which means we're effectively being double charged for the benefits of technological advancement.
The article also doesn't mention competition. Companies should be trying to undercut each other, but they're doing more or less the opposite by trying to define their brands by the price they charge. What one charges, the others also have to charge.
This basically. It's the same with most things. If you want "better" you have to pay more.
Want a bigger house in a nicer area, you pay more.
Want a nicer car, you pay more
Want a bigger TV with new fandangle pled etc, you pay more
No one are making people buy the flagships, consumerism is though. People want new, bigger, better and will pay for it.
In reality most people can have a phone way longer than 2 years and it still be fine.
Like anything there are legitimate uses for higher end products, though paying that much can have varying returns on investment.
A more powerful phone with the latest versions of Android and a better battery life benefits my work a lot, so the extra cost is being used in that instance.
Also in terms of cost, you do get a lot in a little device. In 1990 the equivalent getting a giant brick mobile phone, a dictaphone, a pocket TV and radio, a calculator, a video camera, a standard camera, a filofax, a watch with alarm, a handheld gaming console, etc. You're looking at 10 x the price adjusted for inflation and you'd a need ruck sack to carry it all around, that's without even having mobile internet or email.
A more powerful phone with the latest versions of Android and a better battery life benefits my work a lot, so the extra cost is being used in that instance.
Also in terms of cost, you do get a lot in a little device. In 1990 the equivalent getting a giant brick mobile phone, a dictaphone, a pocket TV and radio, a calculator, a video camera, a standard camera, a filofax, a watch with alarm, a handheld gaming console, etc. You're looking at 10 x the price adjusted for inflation and you'd a need ruck sack to carry it all around, that's without even having mobile internet or email.
But you can get the latest Android version and a big battery in a phone costing £200.
The difference between flagships and budget phones has narrowed markedly but the prices have widened.
Soldato
- Joined
- 21 Oct 2011
- Posts
- 22,398
- Location
- ST4
I don't have a flagship phone, what I have is a £260 phone with a 1080 x 2340 AMOLED display, 8/128GB (and a SD Card slot), 64MP Quad AI camera and a fast charging 4000MaH battery that runs everything just as smoothly as a mate's stupidly priced Samsung. So why should I pay ~3x the price for something that has no actual benefit?
Redmi note 9 S to name but one.There's loads..... Motorola G8 power is another
Sounds good
They do look good for the price, but the Motorola G8 is supposed to have slow wifi, that's a big no no for me. Also slightly iffy about Xiaomi, though perhaps unfairly, I don't 100% trust them.
I'm actually due a free upgrade this week, I want a powerful phone with good security, fast processor, plenty of ram and storage, and a headphone slot. Going from a S9+ so it can't be a downgrade from that in any capacity like screen quality, etc. Going to get a good deal on a S10+ as I'm a stickler for the headphone slot and not totally impressed by the S20 range.
Also Malevolence what brand and make is your phone so I can check that out?
If there's something as good as that in all departments yet significantly cheaper then I'm definitely open to suggestion.
They do look good for the price, but the Motorola G8 is supposed to have slow wifi, that's a big no no for me. Also slightly iffy about Xiaomi, though perhaps unfairly, I don't 100% trust them.
I'm actually due a free upgrade this week, I want a powerful phone with good security, fast processor, plenty of ram and storage, and a headphone slot. Going from a S9+ so it can't be a downgrade from that in any capacity like screen quality, etc. Going to get a good deal on a S10+ as I'm a stickler for the headphone slot and not totally impressed by the S20 range.
Also Malevolence what brand and make is your phone so I can check that out?
If there's something as good as that in all departments yet significantly cheaper then I'm definitely open to suggestion.
Soldato
- Joined
- 21 Oct 2011
- Posts
- 22,398
- Location
- ST4
Realme X2, would've gone for the Pro version but it lacks the SD Card slot.
Check out gsmarena.com for reviews on the latest phones
Thanks, that Realme X2 Pro does look like amazing value for money with those specs buying upfront with a SIM only plan. Though it's officially 440 Euros, a lot of these newer models of budget range phones end up costing more eventually like the One Plus One range ended up doing. I did see it for £350 though, if not with UK support, very good price.
I will admit it's legitimately a lot better value than the S10+ and other higher priced phones, but I think the headphone slot will swing the S10+. I have checked GSM Arena and many other sites, headphone slot is the biggest lack of choice overall, but I still definitely want one.
I remember when One Plus first came on the scene and they were cheap.
They are all the same, once they get popular, they start charging Apple prices. Flagship or not.
Permabanned
- Joined
- 23 Apr 2014
- Posts
- 23,552
- Location
- Hertfordshire
No, they just started making better devices. Great as the original OnePlus phone was, you could tell it was made somewhat on a budget. Still great value and a great phone though.
If anyone has a couple of minutes, please fill out this Google form grading how important different factors are when buying a phone. Thanks
