DISQUS

Jamie · 1 year ago

Its free on £45. £99 on the £35 contract.

Entirely reasonable.

Plus you get unlimited internet usage in that, so perhaps you will finally get a decent mobile web experience.

But good luck. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Ben Smith · 1 year ago

I appreciate you're tasked with giving a teenager's perspective so I'm not saying you're wrong, but amongst me and my colleagues (who I assure you are not the mega-rich rock star types we obviously come across as in the podcast!!!) a £150 (which is what my iPhone cost me on a £35pm tarrif) phone isn't really considered flashy...

Interesting though that you've mentioned this as a recurring theme - are you generally anxious about being seen with higher value items for fear of being mugged etc? Would you carry a laptop to college next year if you needed one?

Samantha · 1 year ago

£150 on a £35 per month contract is quite a lot. Seeing as on pay as you, I can spend five pounds a month with money to spare, it is quite a lot. And I have even looked at contracts, and I'm not prepared to pay more than £15 per month really. It's not worth it.

I'm not worried about being mugged too much; I am looking into some Laptops for next year, only a cheap thing though. It's just I don't see any sense in spending quite a bit on a mobile phone for it be instantly outdated. It's like buying a brand new car - there is absolutely no point to it. As consumers we're constantly playing catch-up, and I would rather do that with a mobile I like, and one that is in't over-priced. My mobile spending limit for a new device is up to £110. Yearly expenditure on top-up last year (cost me about £5 due to market research funding my top-ups), but in total, wouldn't have come to more than £60.

It's more about value for money, and what makes sense, and to me, the iPhone right now doesn't seem to do that.

Samantha.

Ewan · 1 year ago

How do you like them apples, Mr Smith?

Ben Smith · 1 year ago

Fair comment - but higher cost does not equal worse value. I need a £35 tariff - especially for the 3G and WiFi data it includes. If you use <£5pm PAYG and unsubsidised handsets certainly do seem the way forward.

It's strange we didn't have these conversations about the N95 when it was new cost a bit with a new contract...

Samantha · 1 year ago

It's not about worse value, it's about how much you're paying, and how much you're wasting. A new phone when it comes out always costs too much - you always get loads of people paying this premium price (it's what the networks want you to do), then after a couple of months the price drops. Eventually, it's all about penetration pricing, and targeting a specific segment.

My view on it, is that the iPhone doesn't seem to do a lot of that, and that's because it's not competing. No other network has it, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of companies creating any rivalry. Due to this, the iPhone can be priced as high as it is, whether or not it is good or bad quality.

As for the N95 - was there was much buzz about it?
And also, I wouldn't buy that either.

Samantha.

Steve · 1 year ago

Guess you haven't looked at iPhone resale values on eBay ...

I do understand your need to be on a budget for your phone contract, but I think you missed something in your assessment. 150 quid is the purchase price of the iPhone. Do you know what you'd have to pay out of you were buying a phone so that you can use it on PAYG?

James Burland · 1 year ago

The iPhone is a fun device, but most of that fun comes from using it as a TV (BBC iPlayer), a radio (again BBC, but also Tuner, a cool Internet radio app), for music playback, Web browsing and gaming (I recommend Bejeweled, Bubble Bash and CritterCrunch).

Based on your previous posts and your general phone usage I'm not convinced that you'll like the iPhone. However, if you start using it as more of a supplement to your regular PC and less like a 3200 you may find that there is quite a bit to like.

One other thing... I know it sounds dead boring - and yes the video is kind of cheesy - but Apple's iPhone introduction video is the best way to learn many of it's functions;

http://www.apple.com/iphone/guidedtour/

Steve · 1 year ago

Well at least we know where you stand before you pick it up :-)

AJ · 1 year ago

Arguing about the cost of any Apple device seems really strange. They differentiate themselves according to all sorts of criteria but cost isnt one of them.

juliancooling · 1 year ago

I suspect that you are in between markets right now. Any phone that suited your usage 6 months ago will quickly be way too limited in the information rich life at university (with ubiquitous WiFi). Sundenly in six months' time a small window onto the internet will be a godsend and money will become more available (and plans will be more affordable).

Where you are, right now, I believe you when you say that the iPhone is a very heavy waste of space. In a year's time it may be great. Right now something light and disposable to ring and test friends is what you want.

I am really enjoying your rants - a 16 year old who is content with the world quite frankly has their eyes shut. I am not content with the world either but I can use my money and skills to address it - to the point that I have been missing some big things out there. Thank you.