this post was submitted on 18 Nov 2025
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Technology
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I don't really get it and details are scarce in the article. Is the model different in than in the US? It says "you're no longer paying for the handset, but pay the same price". Do they bundle the cost of handsets with the monthly fee and just allow you to upgrade every some number of months? But if you forget to upgrade, or don't want to, you still pay the same?
In the US generally they charge for the handsets split up into like 48 payments and then have some promotions for popular phones where you get 48 monthly credits to cover some or all of the cost. If you cancel service, the balance usually comes due or if you change to a lower cost plan sometimes they let you keep the payment plan, but you lose the credits. It's done different ways, but this is an example. But the cost of the plan is always billed as totally separate line items
Yes. It's an expensive plan with a "free" phone. If you don't re-contract or switch at the end of the term you will be massively overpaying.
Ah, yeah, in the US they just hide that you're paying for it by the credits I mentioned. Sneakier I guess, but it is what it is and they all do it.