posted in Technology
Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? Apple, Samsung … are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive.
techcrunch.com/2026/08/01/should-you-still-buy-your-next-smartphone-or-subscribe-to-it-instead/
TechCrunchShould you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? | TechCrunchApple's new Upgrade program is the latest sign that smartphone ownership is changing.
Replying to @eicker@lemmy.world
I will not rent critical items.
There has been a large push to enter a subscription for eyeglasses, the large firms here keep pushing and pushing to rent glasses.
Fuck no, I refuse to have my eyesight be dependent on having to keep paying.
Same for music, I buy all my music through iTunes, I have never used Spotify, I refuse to be put in a situation where I am in financial trouble and I loose access to my music.
This is the same crap, I need a phone to be an active member of modern society, I will not rent that access.
Wait, sorry, a subscription for GLASSES!? They’re like $150 here if you want the name-brand ones, or covered by insurance if you don’t. Insurance is basic btw, $80 a month for a family of 4 for ‘basic extras’. I don’t know which country you live in, but I can take a wild guess.
Replying to @michaelalf@lemmy.world
Yeah, both our largest optician chains, Synsam and Synoptik, as well as others, are pushing subscriptions, hard.
Now, I am fortunate enough that I can afford to buy name brand glasses with the best lenses on the market, two pairs (one normal, one sunnies) cost me about €1500, but there are far cheaper alternatives.
Replying to @michaelalf@lemmy.world
In America you can have whatever the top tier of vision insurance is available to you and it’s basically a $100 off coupon for frames. I’ve never not spent $300-$400 for glasses.