Yeah, you can get an android phone that will take pictures, send messages, play, music, run Uber/maps, and take calls for under $50. Those phones aren’t great, but they are usable. They can do everything that you “need” a smart phone to do.

It’s been a bit since I was in the cheap android phone market, but those phones don’t work as well as you say. Calling texting probably work fine, but I doubt Uber or maps will work great or at all. Anything internet heavy like that and you’re gonna be crazy frustrated

Those phones are not “usable” in any sense except the bare minimum. How many of these sub USD 200 phones have you used and for how long?

How are they not usable? I use a Nokia 7.2 and I think it's a perfect phone. Good screen. Pure Android. Fast. Nice camera (though I really don't care about this). It has 64GB of internal storage, but adding an SD card was straightforward.

An older, once premium model can be a good middle ground. I usually buy used and had a Note4 for several years, then my SO used it, then I used it again, then we resold it in working condition. It also had a swappable battery and card slot. Both likely helped extend its life.

My over two year old Xiaomi (mi max 3) cost just under that, it still works fine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I would rather buy a used iphone for slightly more then. Less need to manufacture shit that will barely make it a year, better support and better hardware.

I got an iphone for work recently. Year old. 180 dollars. Blows budget androids out of the water.

I have never had an Android phone last more than 3 years. Most of them were sluggish or degrading after only 18 months. I'm 23 months in on my first iPhone and it feels as fast as the day I got it. I can't recall ever experiencing battery life anxiety either. I have friends that have used their iPhones for 5-6 years with no problems.

The upfront cost is higher but you can expect a much longer service life and the resale value is higher if you still feel the need the newest model on shorter timeframes.

Non issue. People upgrade into 3 year old iphones (still performant ofc) for nothing.

Market share outside the US appears to indicate it's still more than 'nothing'

Outside the U.S. they don't have that sort of carrier upgrade system. The article is about younger americans though.

Recently upgraded into the 2020 SE for a bit less than $75.

Just upgraded to the iPhone 14 Plus, got it for "free" by extending my contract for another 3 years. Works for me, I was already paying the monthly fee anyway and had no plans of leaving my carrier.