The Modern Phone Price Paradox: Why Buy the iPhone 15 When a $250 Chinese Phone Performs Better?

Are Today’s Phones Overpriced?

In a recent article, Phone Arena reviewer Peter Kostadinov surprised many by revealing that he’s been using the iPhone 13 Pro Max for 3 years and has no plans to upgrade, even as the upcoming iPhone 16 promises cutting-edge AI features.

Of course, Kostadinov can easily afford Apple’s or Samsung’s latest high-end phones, but he chooses not to. The reason is simple: his old phone still works great, and the new models aren’t worth the money.

There’s no denying that technology prices, especially for phones, have skyrocketed in recent years. This is a far cry from the golden days when new releases, though expensive, offered significant improvements.

For Kostadinov, his iPhone 13 Pro Max still handles all tasks smoothly, has sufficient battery life, and takes excellent photos comparable to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. He sees no reason to spend $1,199 (over 30 million VND) on a new phone that offers little to no improvement.

In recent years, there has been growing criticism of companies like Apple for pushing phone prices beyond the reach of many. Meanwhile, a significant portion of consumers has shifted towards more affordable devices that may lack the glamour but offer a complete experience.

With technology becoming increasingly saturated and the economy in a downturn, smart consumption is becoming the new trend. Along with this, the gap between expensive and affordable devices is narrowing.

A recent poll on Phone Arena reflected this trend. Most respondents who were asked why they spend a lot on premium phones answered that it was partly out of curiosity for new technology, partly because of business needs, and mostly due to attractive financing options.

However, many people who buy expensive devices out of curiosity end up regretting their decision. Tech Radar’s Roland Moore-Colyer is a case in point. After using the iPhone 15 Pro Max for six months, he called it the most overpriced and boring phone on the market.

It wouldn’t be an issue if Apple had maintained its old pricing, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s $100 price increase isn’t justified by any significant improvements.

Roland also criticized the iPhone 15, which is widely considered the most “worth buying” iPhone due to its lower price and stable performance. He argued that the iPhone 15 is only good and cheap when compared to the more expensive models in the iPhone 15 series. When pitted against mid-range phones from other brands, it falls short.

It’s hard to justify a $799 (20 million VND) phone with a 60Hz screen, a slow USB-C port, and only two rear cameras, which is even less than what you get on affordable Chinese phones like the POCO M4 Pro 5G, priced at just 3-4 million VND.

More and more high-priced phones are failing to deliver on their performance promises. In response, Make Use Of has published a consumer guide advising people not to spend tens of millions of VND on a phone that lacks features commonly found on affordable models.

These must-have features include a 90-120Hz screen, a triple camera setup, an OLED display, a top-tier chip, 8GB of RAM, an all-day battery, 256GB of storage, and long-term software updates.

The fact that Apple can still sell the iPhone 15 with its mediocre specs in 2024 is a testament to their strong brand image rather than the phone’s actual value.

The Gap is Closing

Experts advise that unless a premium phone is essential for your work or you have the financial means to indulge in the latest and greatest without concern for cost, it’s wiser to opt for more affordable alternatives that offer sufficient performance.

Earlier this year, a phone surprised the tech world by offering specifications and features superior to even the most expensive flagships, but at half the price. This was the ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra.

It was the first phone to be sold globally with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, an impressive camera system with a 64MP periscope telephoto lens and a super-wide sensor, the largest compared to any high-end smartphone (1/1.55 inches).

Additionally, the Nubia Z60 Ultra was the first phone capable of shooting 120 fps video with all three rear cameras. To put this in perspective, the $1,000 Galaxy S24+ uses a 50MP 1/1.56-inch sensor with an f/1.8 aperture for its main camera, which is less impressive.

If that’s not impressive enough, the Nubia Z60 Ultra also boasts a massive 6,000 mAh battery (the largest in the market) and 80W fast charging, features rarely found on phones even twice its price.

Don’t expect to find a phone priced at 20 million VND or even under 30 million VND with such impressive specs.

The ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra quickly garnered positive reviews from tech experts. Its only apparent downside is its lack of brand recognition.

Typically, Chinese phone manufacturers cut corners to reduce costs and ensure profitability. But with the Nubia Z60 Ultra, ZTE has people wondering if they’re giving it away, as the price is unbelievably low.

Look Beyond the Brand

It’s true that Apple and Samsung are no longer the only reliable names in the phone market. There are many other brands, especially Chinese ones, that offer affordable, versatile devices that can be excellent alternatives.

The most notable examples come from China. Chinese phone makers have shed their reputation for producing low-quality, short-lived devices, as evidenced by the excellent value their products now offer.

Take the OnePlus Open, for instance. It’s considered one of the best folding phones of 2024, with hardware that rivals that of Samsung and Google but at a much more reasonable price.

Besides affordability, the second defining characteristic of Chinese phones is their diversity, offering various sizes, variants, and folding styles, like the Huawei Mate Xs 2, which folds outward.

They have something for everyone: budget-friendly options, high-end devices, mid-range models, camera-centric phones, and countless devices with unique features. The choices are virtually endless.

To compete with the big names, Chinese manufacturers are quick to adopt and implement the latest technologies, giving them a competitive edge.

For instance, Xiaomi was one of the first to introduce in-screen fingerprint sensors and high-resolution cameras. Realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi are also experimenting with 300W fast charging, while the Galaxy S24 only supports 25W charging, a tenth of the speed.

If you feel that today’s smartphones are boring, you’re not alone. The reality is that the high-end segment of the smartphone market is stagnant and lacking innovation.

In recent years, flagship models have offered only minor performance upgrades, recycled designs, and AI features that are mostly marketing gimmicks.

Instead of focusing solely on the top models, explore the wider smartphone market, where innovation is thriving. These devices are no longer inferior versions of the “leaders” but stand-alone products in their own right.

Don’t Get Ripped Off

The story of overpriced phones that don’t deliver value extends to other tech products as well.

With technological progress slowing down, it’s evident that a smartwatch costing tens of millions of VND offers little advantage over a budget model priced at just a few million.

Another infamous example is Apple’s MacBook with 8GB of RAM, priced at over 20 million VND. Despite facing criticism for its inadequate specs, Apple defended the product, claiming it’s “good enough,” much to the dismay of consumers.

Consider the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the epitome of opulence and status, priced at over 30 million VND. It’s the most professional video recording device on the market.

But is it worth spending tens of millions of VND more just for video recording capabilities when affordable alternatives like the Google Pixel 7a or the Galaxy S23 FE offer similar features?

The most valuable lesson many tech experts have learned over the years is to spend just enough on tech products. Paying extra for bragging rights or non-functional benefits is pointless.

A reliable phone doesn’t have to be an expensive iPhone. It can be a combination of new and old components, reasonably priced, offering a harmonious blend of features, leaving you satisfied and regret-free.

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