[netfire]

I'll add that the article doesn't seem to add the monthly cell phone costs (minutes, text and data -- especially data) into their calculation. Dependending on how much data you are using, that could be significant. Also, I imagine most phone are bought using installment plans, which increases the monthly costs, and makes it hard to save and make better investments in your future. (What you think you can afford today, may not be what you can afford tomorrow).

[kevingadd]

"makes it hard to save and make better investments in your future" definitely applies to cell plans, even though it pales in comparison to the cost of health insurance these days.

Even when it comes to smartphone ownership, the poor get screwed. You get better pricing if you have good credit, and if you're going with prepaid or non-credit plans, they charge you even more for subpar service (some features are entirely unavailable). So even if you skimp and buy a cheapo smartphone, you're still getting less value for your money than a middle-class buyer.