[windowsrookie]

"I might be missing something here. Can I not pick up a Nokia, Sony or other phone for an order of magnitude less than this price?"

In the United States all networks are switching to VoLTE. They will no longer activate devices that do not have 4g. So no, the old Nokias will no longer work.

Unfortunately all new "Dumb Phones" will have to have a 4g modem and be compatible with the VoLTE networks.

[bobbytit]

I have a nokia windows phone which will not run apps or social media. Can't be hacked either. Bliss