Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sun 16th Dec 2012 16:25 UTC
Thread beginning with comment 545483
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
RE[6]: Comment by Lorin
by unclefester on Mon 17th Dec 2012 08:27
in reply to "RE[5]: Comment by Lorin"
Any device that can run Angry Birds is a luxury item.
The term "luxury" implies some sort of exclusivity or prestige. Something (iPhone) that is owned by millions of teenagers isn't exclusive. The iPhone should be considered an expensive mass produced device rather than a luxury device.
RE[7]: Comment by Lorin
by puenktchen on Mon 17th Dec 2012 08:54
in reply to "RE[6]: Comment by Lorin"
The term "luxury" implies some sort of exclusivity or prestige. Something (iPhone) that is owned by millions of teenagers isn't exclusive.
I'd say it very much depends on how rich you are. At $649 an iPhone clearly won't break the bank for an average american, but for the average chinese that's as expensive as if the the american had to pay $5800 for the iPhone. Paying that much for a phone - now that is a luxury item!
I thought a "luxury item" in economic terms was anything that wasn't a homogenous item and the price *isn't* set by supply and demand. Luxury items can differentiate themselves amongst other things by brand and demand a premium. By that definition, both Samsung and Apple smart phones are clearly luxury items.
</pedant>





Member since:
2011-05-12
There are over one million US dollar equivalent millionaires in China. There are also tens of millions more relatively affluent middle class Chinese.
Well, that pushes the percentage up to 6%.
Now what about those other 94%, how many have a company phone, already have a relative new smart phone, how many are going to buy an iPhone 5 soon?
The iPhone is just a mass produced mobile phone. It isn't a luxury item.
Any device that can run Angry Birds is a luxury item.
If you want/need a phone a cheap one that can only make calls and sent text messages will do just fine. For the price of one iPhone you can buy cheap ones the rest of your life.