Cutting cost: Do we really need the latest smartphone?

[Fiatless]

Recently Google launched the latest Pixel 9 handset, while Apple unveiled the iPhone 16. Samsung has also come up with its foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 and Huawei just launched the Mate XT. The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.  

A close look at the latest versions of these phones shows that they have slight differences from the previous generation. The major difference is that these new phones have advanced AI features and improved camera quality. Poor economic conditions and awareness about the little upgrades in advanced models might have started contributing to the continuous decline in the sale of phones globally. This claim correlates with Counterpoint findings that “Consumers are holding on to their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features.”


Source

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Reference

[Hatchy]

The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.   

Well smart phone is now a trending thing in the modern world. Some people tend to rank them self amongst their peers using the lastest smart phones they bought and since it's very expensive, they gain more like a respect from others. I just wanted to say that you should only speak for your self though. Theses companies produces these phones due many consumers requests and taste. If you take a look at the first iphone, it's size and function back then very was small and not having more features compared to the lastest phones we can see today. If there wasn't a chase for an upgrade then maybe those phones will still be in play.
The truth is as the world is growing, new technology will be designed and old ones will be forgotten. The mass wants something new so these companies will have no choice but to give them their best.

[BIT-BENDER]

In my opinion these phones sell status rather than quality. If we are being honest the constant release of new generation phones from this companies is rather too much. Every year a new one is released with very little difference from the previous once they had already released.

I see no difference owning an iPhone 15 pro max and iPhone 16 pro max. But the world has become about status, everyone wants to appear rich and luxurious, so what does this phone company do they make small adjustments in quality and increase price boom a new phone is released.

We have seen this strategy with Toyota when they created their Lexus brand. Most Lexus cars aren't different from their Toyota alternative but the fact is they sell to us the idea that Lexus is their luxurious version and then everyone thinks it's better.

I think if there is a decline in sale for this mobile companies it sure has to do with poor economic conditions because we have many people wanting the social gratification and that's why this companies would constantly feed on that

[Adbitco]

Recently Google launched the latest Pixel 9 handset, while Apple unveiled the iPhone 16. Samsung has also come up with its foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 and Huawei just launched the Mate XT. The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.  

A close look at the latest versions of these phones shows that they have slight differences from the previous generation. The major difference is that these new phones have advanced AI features and improved camera quality. Poor economic conditions and awareness about the little upgrades in advanced models might have started contributing to the continuous decline in the sale of phones globally. This claim correlates with Counterpoint findings that “Consumers are holding on to their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features.”


Source

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Reference

There is a competition in the market of smart devices especially that of Smartphones, so far apple has been the leading company and has most sales than samsung phones talks about others. Like I does, I am not a freak of phones who go about changing these devices to please my taste and desires for phones. To me I mostly love Samsung due to its battery durations and it more preferable than Iphone though never knew of others because it's actually that populous within our regions. Like I don't really consider their phones what I mostly look how lasting they will be while using because most the heavy internet users may not like and couples with our economic nature where we need a stable power to be using those phones.

[Iranus]

Every time Apple releases a new generation of iPhone or other phone companies release new products, the topic of spending or comparing it to investing in bitcoin comes back.

I think it all depends on the person, like hobbies, job needs...if you are a reviewer and make money based on reviewing new tech gadgets. How can you make money and stay in business if you don't spend money to own those new products? Don't think that everyone who buys the latest phone is wasting money or spending beyond their means, don't judge people when we are not them.

Owning an iPhone 16 or a foldable Huawei doesn't say anything about someone's life, don't judge others just because they own a new phone or wear expensive clothes.

I think let people be free to do what they like because they are spending their own money, not ours. We should focus on ourselves and stop teaching others how to spend money.

[Samlucky O]

Over the years there have been increase in production In The mobile production Market. And this is as a result of competition of who will be at the top in producing a better  phone, and it has Leed to several upgrade in version and functionality to attract consumers and more people are tempted by the new features and abandoned their old mobile for the new one. The point is that does it worth it? Because this new phone are not much different from the old version. There are just some adjustments in the newer versions, some old version are even stronger than the newer versions. I saw the new version of iPhone 16 fold how it was advertised on social media, while it was not long the 15pro max was introduced. For me I see no need of changing or buying latest phone always to keep to date otherwise people will end up spending unnecessarily. It is better we invest it in a volatile assets like bitcoin or any other volatile asset.

A good business man/woman who knows financial management will not be doing that, instead they will look for a phone that is compatible for their kind of business, provided it has a good features that satisfies them. those money should be used to invest in a more productive business  than buy new phone. I believe the consumer or the people that patronises this company is the reason why they still flood the market with new phone every month. If the demand is low they will reduce in production. So it is obvious that the demand is high that's why the grash is going higher.

[goldkingcoiner]

I could afford any smart phone without worrying about my financials, but that is not the reason why I don't buy a new phone. After a point in time the newer ones stopped getting better in any major sense. My Google Pixel 3a does mostly the same as the newest version and has  almost just as good a quality of a camera.

Sure. if I were a enthusiast I would care about every little detail but I am not so I don't.

[Rruchi man]

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone.

That yearly ritual will be the root cause of some people's inability to transform riches to wealth because, rather than investing and looking for ways to multiply the resources that they already have, they are using the money to buy liabilities. The day you realize that these tech companies need to keep releasing updates and new devices to stay in the market and maintain profit, that day you will understand that there is really no need to update your devices to the latest expect there is a real reason to.  

Investments that you make today will get you the latest devices tomorrow if you want, and those who skip investments today because they want to get the latest devices and look trendy may never be able to afford the latest device tomorrow.

[Porfirii]

I could afford any smart phone without worrying about my financials, but that is not the reason why I don't buy a new phone. After a point in time the newer ones stopped getting better in any major sense. My Google Pixel 3a does mostly the same as the newest version and has  almost just as good a quality of a camera.

Sure. if I were a enthusiast I would care about every little detail but I am not so I don't.

Yes, that's the point. I don't think that my old smartphone lacks any fundamental feature that I would love because it's not the last model, and I'm convinced not to change it until the battery dies (even this has a better solution -getting the battery changed- than buying a new phone), OS support is discontinued, apps don't work or it shuts down in moments that make no sense.

In fact, I recently heard that every time you change your smartphone before the end of it's life cycle, your hands are a little more stained by the blood of many slaves who work not only in the coltan mines but in many other points of the production chain.

Better for your pocket, better for the people, better for the planet. Getting the newest device for the sake of fasion is just another madness of our times I try to avoid.

[m2017]

Recently Google launched the latest Pixel 9 handset, while Apple unveiled the iPhone 16. Samsung has also come up with its foldable phones, the Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 and Huawei just launched the Mate XT. The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.  

Therefore, we must do everything possible to protect the marketing department from the contents of our pockets. Their task: to put their hands as deep as possible into our pockets and we should remember this when choosing the next phone model under the influence of marketing.

A close look at the latest versions of these phones shows that they have slight differences from the previous generation. The major difference is that these new phones have advanced AI features and improved camera quality. Poor economic conditions and awareness about the little upgrades in advanced models might have started contributing to the continuous decline in the sale of phones globally. This claim correlates with Counterpoint findings that “Consumers are holding on to their smartphones for longer periods because upgrades are offering limited differentiation in features.”

These "new products" don't offer anything fundamentally new, and you can get by with the "new" functions (a little more pixels, a little more power, a little better photo quality, etc.).

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

If this group of people likes to spend money and sponsor other people's businesses, then that's their choice. The more sensible ones, instead of spending money, will try to multiply it by investing. Well, you know what asset I'm hinting at, right?

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

The most profitable solution is to change the smartphone if it has broken down and repairs are not cost-effective, or if it is morally obsolete and is not capable of performing modern tasks. For example, launching applications after their updates. By the way, this is a separate topic for discussion when application developers specifically make it so that apps stop running on old devices, which looks like a conspiracy with smartphone manufacturers, pushing for forced purchases of new devices.

[N.O]

Over the years there have been increase in production In The mobile production Market. And this is as a result of competition of who will be at the top in producing a better  phone, and it has Leed to several upgrade in version and functionality to attract consumers and more people are tempted by the new features and abandoned their old mobile for the new one. The point is that does it worth it? Because this new phone are not much different from the old version. There are just some adjustments in the newer versions, some old version are even stronger than the newer versions. I saw the new version of iPhone 16 fold how it was advertised on social media, while it was not long the 15pro max was introduced. For me I see no need of changing or buying latest phone always to keep to date otherwise people will end up spending unnecessarily. It is better we invest it in a volatile assets like bitcoin or any other volatile asset.

A good business man/woman who knows financial management will not be doing that, instead they will look for a phone that is compatible for their kind of business, provided it has a good features that satisfies them. those money should be used to invest in a more productive business  than buy new phone. I believe the consumer or the people that patronises this company is the reason why they still flood the market with new phone every month. If the demand is low they will reduce in production. So it is obvious that the demand is high that's why the grash is going higher.

I don't want to buy a new version of Mobile phone. I am running the phone which I am using from 3 years and I don't need to take update version of that . But I saw poor who prefer to buy costly and new version of Mobile phone but I don't like that . The money should be invested in the assets which are profitable for us and  Mobile is debit for us and most of the people are using mobile phones for bad purposes.  People are addicted of social media and they waste their time on social media and that's why their health is not good and they are wasting their time on useless things. Smartphone is destroying our generation and new generation has many bad habits which no body can emit from them and they are destroying our society.

[Mahanton]

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone.

That yearly ritual will be the root cause of some people's inability to transform riches to wealth because, rather than investing and looking for ways to multiply the resources that they already have, they are using the money to buy liabilities. The day you realize that these tech companies need to keep releasing updates and new devices to stay in the market and maintain profit, that day you will understand that there is really no need to update your devices to the latest expect there is a real reason to.  

Investments that you make today will get you the latest devices tomorrow if you want, and those who skip investments today because they want to get the latest devices and look trendy may never be able to afford the latest device tomorrow.

Buying liabilities- This is something that could really be considered accurate on which its true that despite on having already the device or things that they do currently have, but having those changing trend or the latest innovation or on whats available then they would really be that immediately making up some upgrade on which this kind of behavior is never been that ideal or could really be something that makes you poor or having no savings. It would really be always been part of human nature for us to like to have the latest gadget specially on smartphone on which we dont really like ourselves on getting behind on the latest tech. Somehow
there are really people who are really that fond on those latest things which isnt bad, but on the moment that you are already buying up everytime there's a new release then you are really that putting up yourself into trouble..

One smartphone should really be enough and this is something that you must realize. Never ever buy multiples not unless if you are rich and could be able to afford and not be able to affect out your finances
then it should really be just that fine, but on the moment or time that your life savings is already affected or to those amounts which are intended for more important things then better think not.
Smartphones value does depreciate overtime and same as with those cars and other stuffs and thats why it would be ideal that you should refrain on buying up on whats new.

[yhiaali3]

Personally I don't buy a new mobile unless my old one becomes useless, I don't believe in all these features that I call empty luxury, why all these features that we rarely use or don't use at all.

I use my phone mainly for calls, but now with the need for wallets and some crypto related applications that no longer work on old phones I had to buy a new phone, I bought it from Xiaomi because Samsung is expensive in my country.

[Baki202]

There is a competition in the market of smart devices especially that of Smartphones, so far apple has been the leading company and has most sales than samsung phones talks about others. Like I does, I am not a freak of phones who go about changing these devices to please my taste and desires for phones. To me I mostly love Samsung due to its battery durations and it more preferable than Iphone though never knew of others because it's actually that populous within our regions. Like I don't really consider their phones what I mostly look how lasting they will be while using because most the heavy internet users may not like and couples with our economic nature where we need a stable power to be using those phones.

People have always been in love with phones and they have this habit of using phones to rate a person's status  which is very bad and the two leading companies because their people that love iPhones and their people who actually love Samsung just that iPhones have more fans than Samsung. And if not for recognition I don't really see the importance and their people that they are always going with the trend as it is coming out they are our purchasing and this companies keep realizing and they keep making money out of people. I like devices but more video games and not phones because I don't see any major difference with all the phones they have all the same functionality except for iPhone that have a very high level of security compare to other phones and for other phones you can keep them safe also.

With all this hardship that people are looking for ways to better their life that what you will be focusing on will be cell phone and it is not as if anything is wrong with the one you are using, why not focus on other things and that way you won't have a problem because you have choosing your priorities. And if does using them if you as them they will have a reason for all this things they have been doing but as for me phones are. It really a problem to me for now.

[Charles-Tim]

About the use of AI, most previous versions can run the lastest OS. So likely no much difference. The main difference are there cameras. I do not even see the built quality to make huge difference in my opinion but I know most flagship phones are now using titanium instead of aluminum and also having slimmer bezels.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Although, this is not what I will like to talk about. Some people are very rich and sometimes it is good to enjoy life than to be stingy to yourself. But if you have no much money, not necessary to keep wasting money on things like this. Buying assets like bitcoin and gold is better.

[Alpha Marine]

I have not been one to care about the latest versions of phones. As long as my phone gives me everything I want from a phone I'm good. I make all my money from my laptop and my phone yet I don't pay much attention to the latest versions until I sense that either the phone or the laptop is no longer performing at the level that is required then I can change it. I get surprised when I see people who don't use their phones for anything spectacular doing all they can to get the latest version of phones.

It's actually cool if you're a high-income earner and can afford that phone without breaking any sweat whatsoever, but if you need to work hard to afford a phone then having such a phone is not a very wise decision if you're not making money from that phone.

[robelneo]

But I know some set of people who will always go for the new generation of phones. It is like a yearly ritual that they must buy the latest model of their phone. I have seen some go as far as buying these phones on credit because they don't have enough funds to pay. The most troubling part of it is that they are not using these phones for business or any productive activities.

They used it to have an edge to other people and a sort of validation that they belong to high end society, which they are not, These people are addicted to the latest gadget after the purchase they are saving or try to complete  their credit card payment so they can buy the next model next year, its a vicious cycle, its not actually the features but the model and the name that they want.

It will not be a bad economic decision to reconsider and adjust our craving for these new products especially if they will not be beneficial financially.

Its their status symbol I know some people who even take out a loan to buy the latest phone; its a sign of being vain I don't think I can do such thing I am more attached to my latest phone and only upgrade if there is a need to do it

[Odusko]

The marketing sections of these companies are doing everything possible to make us buy these phones even when we don't need them.   

Well smart phone is now a trending thing in the modern world. Some people tend to rank them self amongst their peers using the lastest smart phones they bought and since it's very expensive, they gain more like a respect from others. I just wanted to say that you should only speak for your self though. Theses companies produces these phones due many consumers requests and taste. If you take a look at the first iphone, it's size and function back then very was small and not having more features compared to the lastest phones we can see today. If there wasn't a chase for an upgrade then maybe those phones will still be in play.
The truth is as the world is growing, new technology will be designed and old ones will be forgotten. The mass wants something new so these companies will have no choice but to give them their best.

Aside from the trends we have some of those phones that comes with the latest features that aid alot of remote working and for such the new model of smart phone does alot more that makes it demands to be high in the market, and for such many people tend to go for this phone not for fansy but as a way of improving their own productivity on the long run, take for example, a content creator will need those new features on the latest iPhone to make his or her production more easier and clear and I think that is why most of the content creators are seen with the latest of iPhone.

Enough with some few segments mindset who think holding the latest phone means alot on term of their fashion sense and how people may rate them based on the model of phone their are carrying, phone is very OK and a great tool.

[stadus]

I could afford any smart phone without worrying about my financials, but that is not the reason why I don't buy a new phone. After a point in time the newer ones stopped getting better in any major sense. My Google Pixel 3a does mostly the same as the newest version and has  almost just as good a quality of a camera.

Sure. if I were a enthusiast I would care about every little detail but I am not so I don't.

I think that's something that people should adapt when it comes to long-term beneficial. There is actually no need for us to get updated with those latest smart phones and iphones if we are not also benefiting it at its highest advantage, and not using it for our future productivity. Irrespective if you can afford it or not, do not just think at its present but always consider if it would be more useful in the long run. Otherwise, you are only spending your money out on not so needed gadgets just to ride with the trend rather than using it to earn some income and make your own financial status improve.

[Davidvictorson]

Personally, I do not need the latest smartphone or other gadgets if the older versions are still very functional and it has no impact on my job. Extending this further, I do not need the latest car model of any brand if mine still works perfectly well and doesn't directly impact on the job. However, of I can afford the latest smartphone and gadgets, cars because I want to spoil myself and it wouldn't impact on my financials then, why not. Yolo right?