[batshibstein]

The point isn't really whether its a net benefit or not, the point it's a "luxury" of tens to several hundred dollars per month that is almost universal at this point that is not really comparable to any other discretionary purchase historically.

[lapcat]

Is it a luxury though? Almost everyone needs a phone, and many businesses and other organizations basically assume that you have a smartphone nowadays, or at least have internet access, and a smartphone is one of the cheaper ways of accessing the internet, especially if you need a phone already.

A smartphone is not an absolute requirement in life, but what is? Food and water. Other than that, not much. After all, there are homeless people. But we wouldn't say that a home is a "luxury item" or "discretionary purchase".