24 versus 36 months - The total price of smartphone contracts

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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24 versus 36 months - The total price of smartphone contracts

South African mobile operators offer several flagship smartphones on two- or three-year contracts.

Three-year contracts cater to customers who want to keep their devices for longer than the standard two-year period.

According to a report from Hyla Mobile Inc, iPhones traded in during the first half of 2018 were 2.92 years old on average, up from 2.37 years in a comparable period two years earlier.

At the beginning of 2019, Apple blamed a decline in smartphone revenue on fewer people trading in their old models.
 
" At the beginning of 2019, Apple blamed a decline in smartphone revenue on fewer people trading in their old models. "

Apple solution lets slow everyone's phone down or make the IOS stop at a certain version and they will be forced to upgrade. Instead of dropping prices as a whole.
 
For Samsung smartphones, total prices were always cheaper over 24 months.
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I think this is because Samsung's phone RRPs are so out of whack with their actual dealer prices, so there's a lot of margin for the networks to play with. You can get them for R7k-R10k less at places like Connected Devices.
 
South African mobile operators offer several flagship smartphones on two- or three-year contracts.
Click to expand...
I don't get it. The article is about comparing 24 vs 36 months, but you only use two providers (VODA & MTN) and MTN doesn't have the very thing the article is about?
MTN does not offer 36-month contracts through its online store.
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Couldn't you rather have picked another provider that does have a 36-month contract?
 
saor said:
I don't get it. The article is about comparing 24 vs 36 months, but you only use two providers (VODA & MTN) and MTN doesn't have the very thing the article is about?
Couldn't you rather have picked another provider that does have a 36-month contract?
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They do have it if you go to a store though...
 

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Nemoneiros said:
Contracts :sneaky:

I'd rather grab a 4k to 6k phone by paying cash.
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For that much cash you can get a lekker laptop + an average phone.

Surely most people would be better off with that combo?

What day to day stuff are people doing that requires these phones??

I get execs etc running around with these, as they have the laptop to match.

Your average Joe, no way..
 
Three-year contracts cater to customers who want to keep their devices for longer than the standard two-year period.
Click to expand...

More like, phones have gotten so stupidly expensive that people can't afford to have the shiney new one, so now we're allowing them to pay it off over a longer time.
 
Vodacom 24 verse 36

You shall not understand all fine print and may not bow out under any circumstances, or you will be severally penalised.
 
Nate3268 said:
Apple solution lets slow everyone's phone down or make the IOS stop at a certain version and they will be forced to upgrade. Instead of dropping prices as a whole.
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So Windows 10 runs on a 286?

There is a good reason iOS versions stop at given points and that’s hardware limitations.

You’ll note the cut off for iOS 12 is requiring 2GB of RAM for instance which is why the iPhone 6S is supported but not the 6.

It’s not always a conspiracy.
 
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what a joke just more proof that people want shiny things they cannot afford whats next 60months? ill pay cash thanks and sleep well at night

the best thing is these are horrific contracts almost no airtime or data you will get nailed on 500mb what a joke
 
I'm sure there are people out there with phones that are more expensive than the car they drive.

If you work for your money and are happy to spend R1000 p/m on a phone, then go ahead. For me, I've been on prepaid for at least 6/7 years and simply won't ever take out a cell phone contract again. I don't need the Hubble telescope in my pocket nor a phone that opens Facebook 0.2 milliseconds faster. Would much rather spend that money elsewhere
 
LinuxMan said:
Never will I go back on contract and be locked in...
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Agree, my last (and first) one was the LG G2 or G3. Kept it for couple of years and then got the G4. Which I am currently still using with all the ups and downs. But time for a new one. Never in my life will I touch a contract again.
 
These phones aren't for peasants, that's for sure, it is okay if you'd rather by a hisense phone for 2k - it's a free country. I bought my Samsung S20 Plus for 13500 cash - screw contracts, saved massively!
 
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