this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
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The original person's comment made sense up until about the 2010s if it was referring to 'smartphones'. Smartphones are extremely accessible to someone who is destitute today comparative to 15 years ago.
Most phone providers in the US at least, have programs where when you register a single line, you usually get either a basic "razor-esque" smartphone, or in some cases even the newest apple or Samsung line, because it costs them pennies to provide, but they profit off the recurring contract income.
Back in 2008, the only way you were getting the newest smartphone was if you had $500-1k in disposable income. But cell phones in general have been an inexpensive commodity since at least 2000.
It's honestly kind of funny, because I feel like having the latest phone is way more expensive now than it was in the early/mid 2000s. I remember having pretty crazy offers for getting the latest flagship phones for free when you re-upped your contract. Even in High school I could afford to have the first 2 iPhones, and Galaxies S3-S6 brand new, 100% free, nothing added to my normal contract price whatsoever. Now, it seems like they just hide it in "24 easy payments" over the contract, maybe giving you a few hundred on trading in last year's $1500 phone, while you're still paying well over $1000 for a phone, just in $50/mo increments. Even now that I make good money, I can't fathom spending flagship phone money, and have been rocking my $300 loaded Note S20 5G for 3 years now.
I purchased my Pixel 4a in 2020. Still going strong. $400, unlinked. And it helps me in my current homelessness.
yeah i used to get 1 free phone upgrade every 2 years with Verizon, up until a few years ago when they stopped offering that. flagship phones too. it was pretty tight
You can get a free smartphone of reasonable quality if you meet certain qualifications. All expenses paid. Obama phone continues to provide for those in poverty, homeless, with low income medical insurance, food stamps, etc.
Too bad they've lost funding for the ACP and the whole program could be at risk. It has helped me and many people I know immensely
Fucking conservatives, screwing people over yet again.