When it's not a phone, but an always-on 6.5" tablet computer with an excellent camera, persistent wireless high-speed internet, amazing screen, thousands of incredibly useful apps that obviate the need for dozens of other electronic devices, and near-desktop performance for web browsing anywhere, I don't mind paying mid-range laptop prices every few years when I use it literally 4-6 hours per day, every day.
I’m a little envious of people that can get away with that. I never will as a developer. But I would definitely switch from Apple to Samsung if I only had a phone. Life would be a lot easier with Dex docking.
In the US, at least, its common to simply pay that $1k phone over time on a plan - or simply never stop paying off a phone through an upgrade program, either through their carrier or direct (e.g. iPhone Upgrade Program).
$30/mo doesn't hit as hard as $1100 up front. For some consumers, its a fundamentally different way of thinking.