Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 29th Dec 2011 16:22 UTC
It all started with Apple/TechCrunch blogger M.G. Siegler making a huge fuss over something he didn't understand, and while that in and of itself isn't particularly interesting, one of the outcomes of this little internet drama is a comment on Google+ (the tenth one) that so perfectly encapsulates just how important Android is for the world that I felt the need to share it with you. It's the holiday season after all.
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RE[3]: I am confused.
by unclefester on Sat 31st Dec 2011 08:51
in reply to "RE[2]: I am confused. "
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:
2007-02-17
Last I looked the 3GS which is better then any low cost Android phone was free with a contract. The companies (At least in the US, can't speak for the world) that have the most easy access to "poor" people, sell their crappy Android phones for sky high prices ($150 minimum) Like Boost mobile, Metro PCS and Cricket. "
The american telecom market is completely f--ked up, that's what you're seeing. High communication prices permit the carriers to 'subsidise' their iphones and 'give them away for free'. In Belgium, one can buy an android phone for 150€, compared to a more than a full 300€ for the iphone 3GS (taxes included for both phones).
To you it might look expensive, but considering that you can have a good data/telephony plan for 15€/month, the total cost over two years is less. Not to mention, you can buy yourself a new phone when it suits you (each 3-4 years), not when it suits your carrier (the phone is being paid for in that american 2 year plan remember).
It's still not the 25$ phones some people are wishing for (nokia still rules in that departement), but it's a heck of a lot closer than anything apple sells.
I have a cheap Android 2.3 smartphone, the Huawei U8510 IDEOS X3
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_u8510_ideos_x3-3840.php
It cost me $99AUD outright, the only restriction is that it is locked to Vodafone. I expect to keep it for, say, three years.
I am not a heavy user of mobile phones. I use the phone pre-paid for up to a year at a time. The minimum amaont of credit I can have is $30 AUD.
This Vodafone deal lets me have a relatively full-featured (but underpowered) smartphone for three years at an all-up cost of under $200.
Try beating that with anything "iDevice"-ish.
Edited 2011-12-30 01:36 UTC