• buttfarts@lemy.lol
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    5 days ago

    A Pixel 8 on contract was free for me if I commit three years with my provider. I think I will get seven years support from GOS which is a worthy enough lifespan for an everyday smartphone

    • EngineerGaming@feddit.nl
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      5 days ago

      Is it an expensive contract? I doubt my $3/mo plan would ever have perks like this lol. Especially given that Pixels here are only sold unofficially.

      • subtext@lemmy.world
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        5 days ago

        Yeah I’m in the US and those “free” phone contracts over 3 years are objectively terrible deals when you look at the total cost of $100–120/mo or more with the “free” phone on one of the big three vs buying it outright and paying $25/mo (ish) with an MVNO.

        Even if you assume a total cost of $100 at Verizon with the “free” phone—which I believe is a super low estimate—and you assume $45 at Visible (shameless referral plug)—which is their most expensive tier—you’re coming out at $1980 less in contracts over 3 years which could buy you (virtually) any phone you want and then some.

        • EngineerGaming@feddit.nl
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          5 days ago

          $25 is already a crazy enough sum for a phone bill, what you’re talking about is outrageous. Also, I’ve heard that such devices are often carrier-locked, and that carrier-locked devices often also have locked bootloaders.

          • subtext@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            I mean that’s just kinda the way it is in the US / Canada. Though I hear Canada has even higher prices for less service.

      • buttfarts@lemy.lol
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        4 days ago

        About $60 CAD per month for talk/text with 50GB data which is average for here