EDIT: while you're implying they have $1500 to put down on a phone what is much more likely is that
a)They're gifted said phone
b)They're buying a used one off of ebay, facebook marketplace or similar for much much less money
c)They're using a "lifeline" phone that they've bought at a discount from their "lifeline" provider.
In none of these cases -particularly if they're getting a government subsidy ("lifeline") is it likely that they're paying >$250/mo
A VR headset is something normal people are just not used to. I guess that will be that way for quite a bit time.
* Toms: Under $400
* Verge Under $500
* TechRadar: Under $500 with the lowest category Under $200
* CNET: Under $500
* AndroidAuthority: Under $500
* Wired: Under $500
Like you can personally decide that a budget phone should be under $200 or something but real life people looking to buy "cheap" phones are looking to pay ~<$500 for it.
>real life people looking to buy "cheap" phones are looking to pay ~<$500 for it.
A good portion of the world must not be "real life people" to you. I will hazard a guess and say that you must have lived a life without much financial difficulty.
It always surprises me how much of those I see in the metro. I don't see many flagships at all here, many people on the street also use wired headphones.
In the Netherlands it's a totally different picture. Lots of iPhones, S-class Samsung, airpods...
It really depends on the country and their average wages.
$299 is not a "very cheap" phone.