Is it time for a smartphone revolution?

Does the latest smartphone provide value for their over inflated price?

The original iPhone was transformative and been the blue print for pretty much all future smart phones up to the present.

It was launched in 2007. Priced around £300. And introduced as a 3 in 1 device. A widescreen iPod with touch controls. A revolutionary mobile phone. A breakthrough Internet communicator.

Yes, technology has advanced. With many extra features available. But there’s been no real game changing improvements for several years.

Isn’t it all getting a bit silly? Do these small improvements justify a 300% increase in the price? And do most of us really need them?

My current smartphone does everything I’m ever going to need. I won’t be spending £1,000 to buy 1 with enhanced camera sensors, which might be a bit lighter & a bit tougher anytime soon.

Even if it breaks, I’ll go buy a refurbished 1 of the same or similar specification. And others say they’ll do the same too.

Launching new models every year that are a bit thinner, lighter or with 3 cameras instead of 2. In a quest to gain market share & increased revenues. Has maybe reached its own sell by date?

Isn’t it time the smartphone brands pleased their customers first, rather than their shareholders? Currently, it’s still all about unit numbers. How many can we sell for an inflated price each year.

Let’s take Apple as an example…

Just imagine at the next product launch. Tim Cook announced an affordable monthly subscription service. Which includes everything. Network charges. Free upgrades to the latest smartphone model. Apple TV. And Apple music. Wouldn’t you be interested again?

If we can do it with a printing service. Surely Apple, Samsung or Google can do it with a smartphone?

You’re right. Printer technology isn’t sexy. But saving customers money & flat-lining cash-flow into a small monthly subscription (which includes everything) helps them gain certainty & we gain loyalty too.

I agree. It’s nice having the next latest thing. But only if it’s made affordable.

So, isn’t it time for the phone brands to practice what they preach? And get that little bit smarter with their pricing models.