The 3 year old phone..

[Music Lover]

I recognize that opinion Music Lover.
AFAIK, Its the service providers that want your monthly payments, forced upgrades, raising your rates, fees, etc. and whatnot.
Never mind the phones costs.
The providers use a business model similar to 80s cable operations.

Yeah, I see your point. My GF's daughter is paying about $120 a month for her new top of the line I-phone and plan. She's working part time while going to university so that represents close to 20% of her monthly income

My plan is $35 a month and I just treated myself to a new smart phone for $200...I didn't need a new phone, I just wanted a bigger screen.

 

[gauss]

Anyone looking for a new bargain android phone, B&H has a great price ($120) on an unlocked GSM Moto G7 Plus 64GB Smartphone. Works on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, not Verizon or Sprint.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ba6024fd11eba590c258c79c70910INT&sts=pi&pim=Y

I was able to pre-order the Moto G7 plus from byphotovideo today!

$127 out the door including sales tax to my state.

Since they are offering returns until Feb 01, I feel that it will give me enough time to test it on the tello version of T-mobile once tello switches over from Sprint's CDMA system.

Thanks again
-gauss

 

[teetee]

All these expectation and inaccurate knowledge really makes me cringe. It feels like the smartphone market is led by some sort of trend and manufactured demands. Moto g4 already has voLTE enabled and that was from 2016. People think $200 phones can be disposable in 2 to 3 years. It is truly astonishing and disgusting at the same time. I do admit online posts can't represent the whole population of smartphone users and everyone is different. This makes me think lots of sales are motivated by hypes and commercials.

I recently bought an unlocked Moto g8 power for my mother and it was less than $25 with rebate. It was a good deal. And I really don't understand why peole would spend more than $50 for a phone, let alone more than $500 when they do the same thing with a few non-essential differences.

 

[Music Lover]

All these expectation and inaccurate knowledge really makes me cringe. It feels like the smartphone market is led by some sort of trend and manufactured demands. Moto g4 already has voLTE enabled and that was from 2016. People think $200 phones can be disposable in 2 to 3 years. It is truly astonishing and disgusting at the same time. I do admit online posts can't represent the whole population of smartphone users and everyone is different. This makes me thing lots of sales are motivated by hypes and commercials.

And I really don't understand why peole would spend more than $50 for a phone, let alone more than $500 when they do the same thing with a few non-essential differences.

Each to their own. Some people will pay $50,000 for a car when a $35,000 car does the same thing with a few non-essential differences. I paid $200 for a new smart phone that I don't really need but I'll probably keep it for at least 4 years which is less than $5 a month or the equivalent of 2 take out coffees.

 

[FIYes]

It all depends on your wants and priorities. For years, I stayed with the dirt cheap phones and was able to get some incredible deals. Actually, when it came to phone deals I enjoyed the hunt.

Last year, in a “blow that dough” mood I upgraded to Samsung S9 and a Samsung Smartwatch. I like electronic gadgets and can afford the indulgence.

Teetee, a Moto G8 power for $25 is a heck of deal. Where did you get that?

 

[harllee]

I may have spent the least amount on cellphones of anyone on the Forum (at least until last week). I am very frugal--I had an old free flip phone for years. I could barely text on the thing. It finally gave up the ghost so I joined the modern world and got an iPhone SE last week. Like night and day.

 

[target2019]

I recently bought an unlocked Moto g8 power for my mother and it was less than $25 with rebate. It was a good deal. And I really don't understand why peole would spend more than $50 for a phone, let alone more than $500 when they do the same thing with a few non-essential differences.

I may have spent the least amount on cellphones of anyone on the Forum (at least until last week). I am very frugal--I had an old free flip phone for years. I could barely text on the thing. It finally gave up the ghost so I joined the modern world and got an iPhone SE last week. Like night and day.

There has always been at least three levels of tech when measured by cost. Same holds true for modern phones.

At this point in my life (2019 decision) I let daughter pick for me a top Android phone (at the time a Pixel 3). I had used hand-me-down iPhones and cheap Androids forever.

That doesn't mean I disparage the user who just needs voice. For me tech enhances my life and I go with what I need now, and no longer go value in every facet of existence.

Reading about harlee's happiness with an iPhone, I agree it's night and day. Of course everyone doesn't need it.

One essential difference for me is that I can now effectively use WhatsApp and have always-on digital comms channel with my family.

 

[teetee]

It all depends on your wants and priorities. For years, I stayed with the dirt cheap phones and was able to get some incredible deals. Actually, when it came to phone deals I enjoyed the hunt.

Last year, in a “blow that dough” mood I upgraded to Samsung S9 and a Samsung Smartwatch. I like electronic gadgets and can afford the indulgence.

Teetee, a Moto G8 power for $25 is a heck of deal. Where did you get that?

It is not a reproducible deal. The phone is used (though like new) from Amazon warehouse and I had to check daily for three weeks when it showed up, then used the $100 rebate for it:

Http://egiftbundle.com

Check slickdeals forum for discussions.

It is really all about expectations. I have my share of buying consumer electronics and work in computer programming related field. This "one-new-generation-phone-per-year" trend definitely not sits well with me. When a phone's price gets cut by 2/3 a year later then you should know it is a terrible purchase from consumer pov. And that its profit margin is huge.

 

[Another Reader]

Anyone looking for a new bargain android phone, B&H has a great price ($120) on an unlocked GSM Moto G7 Plus 64GB Smartphone. Works on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, not Verizon or Sprint.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ba6024fd11eba590c258c79c70910INT&sts=pi&pim=Y

Same price at Best Buy today. Picking one up on behalf of a friend that has a burner phone on the cheapest T-Mobile plan...and has no internet at home. Welcome to the modern world!

 

[Calico]

We consider ourselves frugal but not cheap. We honestly just prefer vintage things. We love our rotary phones! We also have a collection of vintage Pyrex that we've collected over the last 13 years and a lot of those pieces cost a lot more than just going to Wal-Mart and picking up a casserole or some bowls. Plus it's really neat to have Thanksgiving dinner at our house and serve the food in 1950s turquoise Butterprint glassware along with 1960s Friendship and 1970s Spring Blossom patterned serving bowls.

We're frugal and festive. Not cheap.

I am SO jealous of your blue Pyrex! I would kill to have that.

On the subject of vintage phones, this thread has put me in mind of a phone I had in a past life, when I was much, much younger. It was this exact model, the blue "Princess" phone and I treasured it! For all I know it is still somewhere in a box that hasn't been opened for decades. I think I will make it my first retirement project in a few weeks to see if I can unearth it!

 

[FIYes]

Armchair, I have that middle dish and use it frequently. It is such a handy size and attractive. I don’t have the other two.

 

[wolf]

I just purchased a new 2020 iPhone SE. I am still learning about it but I think it will be a very good phone for me. I paid $400.

My hand me down, i phone 5, works, but some of the features not working.

Dropped by Costco, today. i-phone SE, around $ 359 or so, I think.

Told CSR, order me one. Out of stock. Do not need anything, fancy, Prefer
not having to learn a new operating system. so will stick with I-phone.

 

[harllee]

I have had my 2020 SE iPhone abut a month now and I like it

 

[teetee]

Ok I think it is time to upgrade. Just purchased an unlocked Moto g power and should break even after selling my 3 ye old g5 plus on ebay. Kind of curious how a 5000 mAh battery and android 10 perform.

 

[G8tr]

I'm looking at the G Power as well. I don't like the idea of spending$300-$400+ on a phone. It's a phone with the same ability to run apps as any other.

Ok I think it is time to upgrade. Just purchased an unlocked Moto g power and should break even after selling my 3 ye old g5 plus on ebay. Kind of curious how a 5000 mAh battery and android 10 perform.

 

[target2019]

Not sure exactly the mAh, but Pixel 3 with Android 11 and original battery still gets 1.5 days after a 100% charge. I have turned on the Adaptive Battery feature.

 

[ArmchairMillionaire23]

Armchair, I have that middle dish and use it frequently. It is such a handy size and attractive. I don’t have the other two.

I am SO jealous of your blue Pyrex! I would kill to have that.

On the subject of vintage phones, this thread has put me in mind of a phone I had in a past life, when I was much, much younger. It was this exact model, the blue "Princess" phone and I treasured it! For all I know it is still somewhere in a box that hasn't been opened for decades. I think I will make it my first retirement project in a few weeks to see if I can unearth it!

Calico - Good luck finding that princess phone. We've seen a few rotary versions of those and would buy one if it was the right price in decent condition.

As far as our Pyrex collection goes, we have over 100 pieces of vintage Pyrex that we use as often as we can. Our problem is finding room to store what we have. Not to hijack this thread but here are a couple of older photos of our 'Pyrex Cabinets': (I wish I knew how to rotate images on this site - the photos were vertical when I uploaded them)





We've gotten a few more pieces and rearranged the cabinets since then. We're looking forward to 2021 and hopefully being able to go to places and look for vintage phones & Pyrex.

 

[Calico]

Calico - Good luck finding that princess phone. We've seen a few rotary versions of those and would buy one if it was the right price in decent condition.

As far as our Pyrex collection goes, we have over 100 pieces of vintage Pyrex that we use as often as we can. Our problem is finding room to store what we have. Not to hijack this thread but here are a couple of older photos of our 'Pyrex Cabinets': (I wish I knew how to rotate images on this site - the photos were vertical when I uploaded them)

View attachment 36987

View attachment 36988

We've gotten a few more pieces and rearranged the cabinets since then. We're looking forward to 2021 and hopefully being able to go to places and look for vintage phones & Pyrex.

OK, now I'm more jealous!

What a great hobby and a great collection. Here's to the world opening back up in 2021 so you can scour the earth for more.

 

[ejman]

After reading this thread I'm thoroughly ashamed of my Samsung Galaxy J3 orbit (tracfone) which I bought for $50.00 a couple of years ago and it does everything I want my phone to do. Thinking it over however, I will stand my ground! I will not give up! I will not be bullied!

 

[travelover]

After reading this thread I'm thoroughly ashamed of my Samsung Galaxy J3 orbit (tracfone) which I bought for $50.00 a couple of years ago and it does everything I want my phone to do. Thinking it over however, I will stand my ground! I will not give up! I will not be bullied!

That is what I use, too. My biggest gripe is that it has too much capability- I feel guilty that it sits waiting for a call. And it has an easily replaceable battery, too.

 

[aja8888]

Ok I think it is time to upgrade. Just purchased an unlocked Moto g power and should break even after selling my 3 ye old g5 plus on ebay. Kind of curious how a 5000 mAh battery and android 10 perform.

I've had my G Power about a month. It's the best phone I have ever had. Android 10 is super and smooth. Plus, the camera is very, very good! The battery easily lasts 3 days if you are a normal user (not much streaming, etc). Heck, after 3 days I am usually at 40% and I charge it anyway.

It puts my old Samsung S7 Edge to shame.

 

[aaronc879]

Just updated my 6 year old Tracfone with a new Tracfone. I got the Samsung A10 for $49.99 on sale from $159.99. This will be way better for me with 32GB instead of 8 GB. I expect to keep this phone for a minimum of 5 years.

 

[G8tr]

It would be nice if most phones had replaceable batteries. My flip phones all did, and I replaced the batteries several times to extend their useful lives. They all did far more than I needed - kinda like computers. OTOH, laptop makers have been ditching replaceable batteries too these past few years, along with soldering the RAM to the motherland.

 

[smihaila]

Mine is 7 years young. A Samsung Galaxy S4, that is.
Running Android 10, and impeccably. Ask me how!

 

[G8tr]

Bought the Moto G Power on Amazon yesterday. Wanted the Pixel 4a after seeing the OLED screen, but it's was $350 vs $175 for the G Power. The Pixel was also fixed at 128 GB memory, while the G Power can go up to 512 GB with a micro SD card. I can pretty much replace my PC when traveling light (whenever it's safe).