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Posts: 133

Governor

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Q: Why are cell phones so much cheaper and simpler to use in China?

Here I was thinking Chinese made everything so much more complicated and were always out for money.

In Canada, if you buy a cell phone you get the 2/3 year contract with a local provider that comes along with it, and good luck getting rid of it after that. You're pretty much a slave to it.

Here things are just so simple. Is there a particular reason they don't go with the North American model? Is there so much competition that they keep it ridiculously simple and cheap?

12 years 8 weeks ago in  Web & Technology - China

 
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Posts: 2604

Shifu

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It probably has to do something with demand over quality and quantity. The reason why the phones are much cheaper and simpler to use is probably because most people aren't out to buy chinese made phone products. The demand is for Iphones and the Samsung Galaxy SII. If they invested all their time and money without many sales it would have just been a waste. 

As far as the model is concerned I think it's just because this in not North America and you have to realize some things are gonna be different and not everything is going to be the same. You just have to adapt to your surroundings.

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12 years 8 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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I think this may have to do with the fact that contracts can't be trusted. Who would be willing to sign up for a contract when they aren't strictly followed? It would be a nightmare. It also has to do with "planning for the future" and larger amount of money up front. I just don't see it happening.

Besides, using a phone is so cheap right now. You pay as you go. They have a good thing going, I don't think it's going to change any time soon.

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12 years 8 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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Nokias and iPhones are more expensive here.

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12 years 8 weeks ago
 
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Because to some extend Nokia, and fully for iPhones, they are "in" within China, they have become a status symbol, and as such, you will be willing to pay a higher price.
For Apple iPhones only.  One quick way to find out if fake or real, the true Apple iPhones you can not open the back and change the battery, nor they take two SIM cards. If you are shown one, and can remove battery or uses two SIM card, you are looking at a fake.
And for your information, wholesale price at factory delivery level for a true Apple iPhone 4S today is $ 600 US dollars.

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12 years 8 weeks ago
 
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Cell phones themselves are more expensive here, but the cost to use them is dirt cheap.
You have to remember that in Canada we have the highest cell phone rates in the world, and the government refuses to break up the monopolies.

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12 years 8 weeks ago
 
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