What makes some cell phones worth ten times others?

[TomG2]

I buy sub-$100 Android phones to use on Verizon prepaid. Current phone has Android 7.X, Fingerprint recognition, runs YouTube videos without a stutter, two cameras, 16GB internal storage, etc. What will another $500 get me? I usually "upgrade" a couple of times a year. What am i missing?

[austinjenna]

Besides, I have a suspicion most of the billionaires are real jerks!

No I'm not!

[paulcardoza]

APPLE will surely have a difficult time keeping up with demand for the "X". That alone makes it worth $1,000 per copy to them. What would you do if people were lined up with $1,000 bills for your product?

For me, I perceive the facial recognition feature as a step backward in user friendliness. APPLE Pay, for example, works more easily with fingerprint authorization. I put my finger on the button and tap the phone on the sensor. Done. With F-R, I'd have to hold it up to my face, then push the side button twice, then tap the sensor. To me, F-R is a gimmick at this point. Both options should have been maintained to keep the phone easy to use.

[DallasSteve]

Lantley wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Apparently asking what makes one thing better than another, leads to condescending comments on the forum now. Thanks so all who contributed to this thread.

Quality of the screen,sensitivity of the touch pad,processor speed, amount of RAM, amount of internal storage, size and/or availability of external memory card, battery capacity,operating system, input and output ports,casting ability are all technical matters that separate and economy phone from an expensive phone

I think a significant portion of the difference in the price is paying for the name or the prestige of having the latest, greatest gadget. I'm not saying the points you mention don't increase the cost and value. I'm saying I don't think they increase it nearly to $1,000. People are overpaying for the prestige. Overpaying a lot. I'm still content with my $7 phone.

[Lantley]

TomG2 wrote:
Apparently asking what makes one thing better than another, leads to condescending comments on the forum now. Thanks so all who contributed to this thread.

Quality of the screen,sensitivity of the touch pad,processor speed, amount of RAM, amount of internal storage, size and/or availability of external memory card, battery capacity,operating system, input and output ports,casting ability are all technical matters that separate and economy phone from an expensive phone

[obgraham]

Let's be honest here. Quality and value are in the eye and mind of the user.

Some of you want the latest and greatest phone. I say good enough. I might want a fancy $50 bottle of wine for dinner tonight, while the rest of you might consider that a complete waste.

Unless we are multimillionaires or better, we make those choices every day. It's not a matter of denigrating the choices the next person makes.

Besides, I have a suspicion most of the billionaires are real jerks!

[TomG2]

Finally a straight answer. Thanks. My challenge was for someone to define the relative value of two pieces of consumer electronics that will soon be outdated.

I agree:

"A cellphone for me is a information access and recording capturing device first the phone is just a added benefit i have access to information from around the world right in a portable device that fits right in my pocket."

10-4

[wnjj]

A good quality screen and a high quality camera on a more expensive phone makes for a great magnifying glass with the option to save the image. I use mine more and more to supplement my failing reading vision.

Another point a couple of us brought up is the quality of the more expensive phones. Many have metal cases, not plastic and are water proof.

[shastagary]

a cellphone for me is a information access and recording capturing device first the phone is just a added benefit i have access to information from around the world right in a portable device that fits right in my pocket. i have and do save time and make because of it many times what the cost of the best cellphone i choose to buy costs. therefore the reason to buy a better one is it works better faster and does everything that the technology has to offer today. i buy one that is a pleasure to use not one that is just good enough to get the job done. it allows me to do what i do better. if you are not a person that will use the full capabilities of a smart phone then you can get by with the less capable models.

[Lantley]

shastagary wrote:

mr. ed wrote:
I'm happily sticking with my flip phone. I'll use my PC or tablet for the internet. I have a separate digital camera for pictures

i use my phone when i repair things download service manuals use you tube videos as i repair things look up prices and compare models when shopping and many other things also to take pictures instantly that you would normally miss and i do not have to have my separate camera or laptop with me. i can do that stuff wherever i am because it's right in my pocket.

Exactly and if you are being billed for my services you will be glad I have that $1000.00 phone in my pocket.
Often it allows me to get your equipment fixed on the spot vs. making a return trip.
That $1000.0 phone allows me to have and see lots of info

[shastagary]

mr. ed wrote:
I'm happily sticking with my flip phone. I'll use my PC or tablet for the internet. I have a separate digital camera for pictures

i use my phone when i repair things download service manuals use you tube videos as i repair things look up prices and compare models when shopping and many other things also to take pictures instantly that you would normally miss and i do not have to have my separate camera or laptop with me. i can do that stuff wherever i am because it's right in my pocket.

[mr__ed]

I'm happily sticking with my flip phone. I'll use my PC or tablet for the internet. I have a separate digital camera for pictures. It's amazing that a new iPhone is coming that costs $1,000. I guess there are people who will spend almost any amount on something "techie". I guess I'm still old fashioned.

[mich800]

shastagary wrote:
when you use your phone day in day out for research an much more than just a phone or camera the quality of the screen resolution responsiveness of the touch screen processor speed and the overall experience of just using it come into play. i own 2 of the phones in the $100 dollar price range a Alcatel and a lg i use them as bluetooth music players so i don't have to tie up my regular phone. they work good for that but would pi** me off trying to use them every day i guess i am spoiled

Some people see the word phone and cannot get past that. They are not the target audience for sophisticated computers that can also make telephone calls and should purchase the cheapest device to serve that purpose. For others that can utilize these devices for more than just the annual mothers day call will continue to drive advancements that were merely science fiction only a decade or so ago.

[shastagary]

when you use your phone day in day out for research an much more than just a phone or camera the quality of the screen resolution responsiveness of the touch screen processor speed and the overall experience of just using it come into play. i own 2 of the phones in the $100 dollar price range a Alcatel and a lg i use them as bluetooth music players so i don't have to tie up my regular phone. they work good for that but would pi** me off trying to use them every day i guess i am spoiled

[shastagary]

TomG2 wrote:
Please quote where I said my $100 smartphone was the equivalent of a more expensive model

here is where you said it

TomG2 wrote:
Paying ten times for a device that will perform the same as all the other phones is a waste of money