Depending on the calculation the phone + plan can be cheaper than just the phone and just the plan
Comment on Thanks AT&T!
Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 2 months agoNot sure I see how you end up paying more by buying your phone outright, it’s more up front but then your monthly price for service is lower.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
fadedmaster@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
They give you a discount per month. So for example, a $1000 phone is on sale for $600, but they don’t give you $400 off up front. Its a $11.11 per month discount for the next 36 months. You pay $16.67 per month until its paid off. If you pay it up front you pay $1000. If you leave early or pay it off early you lose the $11/month discount on the payment for the phone
Its intended to lure people in for an advertised cheap or free phone, but then you’re stuck with them paying for the device.