On Thursday 21 September, we looked at the ins and outs of buying a new smartphone. This discussion resulted from a conversation on the JCC WhatsApp Chatline about what constituted a good bargain!
Most smartphones these days are capable of doing everything we ask of them:
To make calls; E-mails; Communicate via WhatsApp ; Browse the Internet
Check flights ; Check the weather; Find out where you are; Take photos and videos;
Gaming; Listen to music and radio; Watch TV and movies …and much more
What would dictate your choice?
Price? Brand? The Android or Apple tribe?? Once an Apple always an Apple, though technically there’s not much to choose between them : https://www.computerworld.com/article/2468474/iphone-vs-android-which-is-better-for-you.html
It all seems to be about sales and marketing – and there are some ridiculously expensive phones out there! https://www.luxhabitat.ae/the-journal/top-10-most-expensive-mobile-phones-in-the-world/
You can find the latest technology in the newest flagship models …at a price, and the best of this technology will eventually trickle down to the cheaper models. The choice is whether to buy the technology you want now – or wait until it becomes cheaper e.g. camera quality, foldable phones.
To buy in cash ? – That’s OK for the lower price range, but most people are reluctant to shell out over €1000 all at once. Still, we may be tempted if the sellers use drip pricing . https://news.sky.com/story/drip-pricing-three-psychological-reasons-we-fall-for-the-technique-and-how-to-resist-the-it-12959042
https://lifehacker.com/how-companies-use-drip-pricing-to-charge-you-more-1850788343
You can get a top-of-the-range phone today by paying in monthly instalments. The advantage is that you’ve got it now and there are many different payment plans. Some are more favourable than others with goodies thrown in.
e.g. the Samsung Galaxy S23 flagship
>> From Samsung: basic model: Galaxy S23 Ultra From £52.05/mo. Or £1,249.00 https://www.samsung.com/uk/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/buy/
>> From Orange in Spain (with your contract): Samsung S23 Ultra. 30 payments of 36,40 = €1092 AND they throw in a Samsung 32″ TV
The advantage to phone manufacturers is that their flagship phones are seen in general use (not just being promoted by influencers and in adverts and articles). The purchaser’s disadvantage is being tied to payments (and a phone contract) for up to 3 years. During this time the phone depreciates and there are new models each year. Check price comparison sites before buying. e.g. Pricerunner: https://www.samsung.com/uk/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/buy/
Camelcamelcamel: https://es.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B0BQRVCR5Z?context=search&active=amazon
and Amazon Shopping: https://shopping.google.com/?nord=1
It’s also worth going to talk to local shops such as Phonehouse, Mediamarkt etc. There you can see and touch phones and ask real human beings questions. And perhaps get an offer.
Should you buy now or after Christmas? They are already bleating on about next year’s model – The Galaxy S24. It’s apparently so good you’ll skip buying an iPhone!
Other companies are pushing the budget market e.g. : Motorola.
https://www.androidpolice.com/motorola-g84-g54-power-budget-phones/
Advertising for high-priced phones tends to emphasise technical things like the processor and storage , while low-priced phones push “cool” features, such as “vegan leather” (?)
Is it best to buy a Flagship or Budget phone ? Or just wait to get given a hand-me-down from your children or partner. (BTW Apple doesn’t make any really cheap phones!)?
It’s difficult ! Some say: A top-of-the-range phone will be of much better quality than a cheap one, and will still be better three years hence. Others say that the technology in flagship phones trickles down to cheaper models. So a cheapo in a few years’ time will have all the bells and whistles that a flagship phone has today. There’s also the chance that new technologies will appear so that the flagship phone becomes prematurely out of date (e.g. ability to use 5G)
This highly informative video “Why is this the best-selling Smartphone?” – explains the huge difference between Samsung and Apple marketing strategies, Apple makes only four models a year, while Samsung makes over 50.. and it explains why the Samsung A 10 series is the best-selling Android phone world-wide.
Chris Betterton-Jones – Knowledge junkie