posted in Technology
Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? Apple, Samsung … are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive.
techcrunch.com/2026/08/01/should-you-still-buy-your-next-smartphone-or-subscribe-to-it-instead/
TechCrunchShould you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? | TechCrunchApple's new Upgrade program is the latest sign that smartphone ownership is changing.
Replying to @eicker@lemmy.world
Um. Isn’t this what people already do? Phone comes with contract. You don’t own it.
Replying to @starlinguk@lemmy.world
No? Unless you chose to do it that way!
Replying to @starlinguk@lemmy.world
I don’t know many personally that choose the installment contracts, but I can see it can be convenient for some. But “you don’t own it” only applies to that case, which from my point of view, seems the rarer case than just you know, buying it.
Replying to @starlinguk@lemmy.world
I’ve had ten phones since 1997 and never done it like that.