I have a flip phone, it is falling apart, I lost the charger and it doesn’t have web capability. I’ve been waiting for 2-3 months to qualify for a partial upgrade. They couldn’t tell me what the rebate would be until the very day because the computer didn’t know. I found out today that the upgrade is $50 for the best Android in the store. WOOHOO! But in order to get the upgrade I need to renew my contract for 2 more years. If I want to cancel my contract I have to pay $400. If I just want to buy the phone with no rebate it is $500. Is that little phone really worth $500?
What I really want is an i-phone but that means I need $400 to break my current contract because I don’t have AT&T or Verizon. Then I have to go to the Apple store, buy an i-phone and sign a 2 year contract.
With all the technology and gadgets today, I don’t understand why buying cell phones and contracts involve so much commitment and money. Two years is a long time to commit to anything in my world. I don’t even know if I will need that phone in 2 years. You can buy a pretty decent camera for $200, no commitment. Why not a cell phone?
Cell phone companies have too much power and because we don’t have a choice, they’ll always have that power. I’ve always admired people that can exist without cell phones. I would love to boycott!
Try buying a phone on eBay – because people are forever upgrading to get the latest and greatest toy they sell the old one to try and recover some of the cost.
That’s very true with the iPhone – especially when the next generation comes out.
Why not get a Samsung Galaxy S or S II ? The original Galaxy S has been out a year and should be reasonably priced, even with a 1 year contract.
No need to pay a premium for an Apple product when there are other phones out there that are just as good and have much the same apps too. Add on the Amazon app store where they give away a premium app/game every day and you’ll go around with a big smile
@mayadesai the games sucks! There is no winning.
The commitment in Canada is even worse, 3 years! And if you break the contract you have to pay your monthly until the end (I think).
Maybe, that makes you feel a little better?
If you only use the phone for calling and SMS then you can pick up a “dumb” phone for less than $100.
The problem with buying an old phone is you’ll likely also be adding the cost of replacing the battery right away as they are only meant to last 1-3 yrs, which for the iPhone is not cheap.
@donncha you are still likely looking at over $300+ for an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S.