Why are cell phones so expensive?

[BigToque]

Most cell phones cost over $500 unless you sign up for 1-3 year contracts where the price drops down to free or almost free.

My last phone (Samsung A920) was $220 when I bought it on a 2 year contract (1 year ago). With no contract it was $870.

Is the technology really that expensive to produce?

 

[Tweak155]

Originally posted by: BigToque
Most cell phones cost over $500 unless you sign up for 1-3 year contracts where the price drops down to free or almost free.

My last phone (Samsung A920) was $220 when I bought it on a 2 year contract (1 year ago). With no contract it was $870.

Is the technology really that expensive to produce?

That phone was not 870$ when it came out. You need to shop somewhere else.

 

[Inferno0032]

People want it, some will do anything to get it, they will take every dollar they can. If that means jacking up the price normally so this 2 year contract looks like such a good deal, works great for them. Actualy costs for them are probably ~10 dollars, if more, not a lot more.

 

[Soundmanred]

Where are you getting these phones?!
I use a service that you have to buy the phone outright so there's no contract, and I've never paid more than $140 for a great phone...

 

[Goosemaster]

subsidized culture vs the really vain and the corporations that wuv them, tonight at 11

 

[pyonir]

Because people will sign a contract if it's too expensive, because they always have to have the newest and best (best meaning most expensive).

Market value. They sell them for whatever people will buy them at...and if they won't buy them at that rate, they'll offer discounts and rebates as long as you sign a contract. It's not really that hard to figure out.

 

[secretanchitman]

i paid $200 for my treo 700p...although i got REALLY lucky and it was a brand new, clean esn box too. usually we buy our phones outright, but now, since my parents and i have sero, we still have our one phone per line discount, so im saving that up until a really good phone comes out.

 

[oiprocs]

I'm considering getting rid of my cellphone. I never call anyone, and I dislike the concept that I'm "on call" every hour.

It's kinda hard to drop it though, since I pay $30 a month for 500 anytime, unlimited texts/nights/weekends/internet, nights starting @6PM. But I have the option as of now since Sprint decided to install some new fees.

 

[Epic Fail]

Where are you getting the phones? $800???

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Errrrrm, my slvr was 41 cents after a 50 rebate...

 

[Jeff7]

I bought a phone to be used with Virgin Mobile's service, and it's a pay as you go thing, so there was no contract. I got it at Radio Shack for $50.
So that was, $50 for a contract-free phone.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Gigantopithecus
Errrrrm, my slvr was 41 cents after a 50 rebate...

with a contract?

 

[DrPizza]

cell phone forum is thataway ----->

 

[RandomFool]

You're only on call if you leave the phone on and decide to answer it.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Gigantopithecus
Errrrrm, my slvr was 41 cents after a 50 rebate...

My cell phone was given to me for free by tracfone when they switched from analog to digital in my area.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

You just have to look in the right place for phones.

 

[T2urtle]

no contract blackberry curve $300.
no contract tmobile WING $250
both brand new.

Look at N-series nokia phones for higher priced phones.




prices depends on carrier and type of phone. GSM are always in high-demand and more common. They are the easiest phones i've delt with and would never go any other way, unless free.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Because that is the real cost of a new device from a manufacturer. All prices you see are subsidised by carriers.