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
Don’t kid yourselves, the majority of people will eat this shit up
Replying to @scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
That’s exactly what I thought. I know so many people that just want the newest release just because “status”. Most of those people I know can’t actually afford it, they just prioritise it over other things.
And most of them are tech illiterate and don’t use 80% of the phone’s abilities.
They will love this.
Replying to @PixTupy@lemmy.ml
Even without the FOMO, some people just want a working device.
It’s why leasing cars is attractive to some. They don’t care about the specs, they want one that works “well” and looks nice and are willing to give up nebulous "ownership"of a device that they don’t know or care how it works, that they can’t repair, so they can stop thinking about their choice and just always have a one available.