My daughter is saving up to buy an iphone 4 or 5.
I don't really know much about mobile phones to be honest.
Are they really worth the money?
If not, how can I convince her not to buy one?
Please help!
iPhone worth the money?
tomatosauce on 19/01/2013 - 20:50
Comments
That's the thing, it is personal choice. Most people here are just coming at it from a "what the hell, go Android?!" point of view. If she wants an iPhone and she's going to save up for it then why not? A 14 year old girl isn't going to want to tinker or customize the OS. Most functionality is going to be delivered through apps, something that the iPhone does exceedingly well.
A few friends of mine got iPhone 4's second hand off eBay for around $250. While some of the auctions go for $400+ others don't seem to get the same level of interest…. Might be worth a look.
Iphone is worth the investment. They have good residual value when you are ready to move to the next phone. Unlike other phones, it is a very controlled ecosystem which offers advantages like less crashes (than android), easier to use interface etc
For people interested in learning you have got Khan academy, Itunes University and podcasts.
Also, compared to similarly prized android phones, these phones do not go out of fashion too quickly. The models do not look too physically different form one generation to another. This will be an investment she can live with.
Also, should there be an issue, she can get the phone replaced from the store instead of waiting days for repair. Also, major damages to screen or body (excluding water damage) for approx $250
The materials on the phone are made to impress. Accessories and aftermarket repairs are easy and plenty
a
Paid $250 for my new* iPhone 4 :-)
*new to me
"It will teach her about saving, so that's a good thing"
"Saving" to buy a $700 phone isn't really considered saving…
Uhh saving to buy whatever it is that you want is a good thing.
It's not up to you to cast judgement on what is worth saving for or not. It is this girl's money. She can buy the phone if she likes. The most important thing here is that she worked for the money and saved it all up.
Excluding house loans, the world is already in so much debt. The OP is great for supporting their daughter in saving up for something. This probably means that the daughter will then start saving for her first car, or something else.
My mum taught me to save since I was a little kid. I've had my same bank account since I was like 5. I'm 25 now and have never considered a credit card or large loan for anything except my first car which I repayed very quickly as I don't like being in debt. I then saved for anything else I wanted. Playstations, games, holidays, laptops, etc. I've never had a high paying job and I've only ever bought something if I had the money in savings.
I then saved up a lot more and bought a $20k car outright and am very proud of having done so without the help of a bank or family member. I manage 2 car rego's, 2 car insurances, holidays, video games, rent, food and all the rest without borrowing money.
By saving you learn to appreciate money a lot more.
Tell me, would you rather be in debt, or save for what you want and never be in anyone's pocket?
Debt isn't bad if managed correctly. In fact, being in debt can take you further financially in the long run (by buying appreciating assets) than refusing to go into debt in the first place.
Anyway, getting off topic here!
i am same i have learn a lot buy saving up.
Stix that what people beleave about house a few years ago. we are luck here but look at US. it like people buy stock and share with browed money it fine game u play.
Stix is right. If you learn anything about economics you will that being in debt is not a bad thing if managed and planned correctly. There is always an opportunity cost in paying back more than is necessary of a debt. Also, in some cases negative gearing is beneficial if the value of the asset grows enough to cover the interest and initial capital.
Debt for investment can be good.
Debt for consumption is bad.
consider a 3% comparison rate loan a new car - you will be a lot better off after 36 month financially compared to a 20k payment upfront.
like said above, debt isn't bad, only bad debt is bad.
It will teach her about saving, so that's a good thing.
LOL , It'll teach her about saving just so she can spend, not a good thing.
I guess it's marginally better than buying on credit card but if you have to save for months to by an Iphone.imho you aren't ready / can't afford it just yet, get a cheap android phone and work your way up.
how old is she? and yes what is her income?
My daughter is 14 years old and she earns about $100 per week from her part time job.
So $700 is her 7 weeks' pay.
Worth it? MmmmI guess if she really likes the iphone? then it is worth it. I would consider other alternatives which would be slightly cheaper as well.
Really?
At the moment she has Huewei or something like that.
Doesn't it do the same job as iphone?
My daughter has a Huawei, I have an iPhone.
I'm on OzB so assume I'm a tight arse, and I am questioning whether an iPhone is worth it - the iPhone software is more polished than android, but apple kind of forces you to do things their way, while android is more customisable.
So I conclude iPhones are 'better' than a cheap android, but are they 7 times better? I'm not sure. $700 is out of my daughter's budget, but if she could save for two months to get one, she probably would, for the cachet amongst her friends as much as the smoother interface etc.So, you're saying "yes, let her buy one"?
The more comments we read, the more determined she is to buy one!!!
Get her a nexus 4, should be available in 3-4 weeks. Only $350 for the 8GB model. One of the best(if not the best) android phones out.
http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/mobile-phones/mobiles-outrigh…
get this one? it's quad band, bigger screen
Whilst the nexus 4 is much cheaper than iPhone, she might not like the nexus 4 because of the screen size 4.7 which makes the phone ~1cm wider and ~1-2cm taller (depending on version) than the iPhone.
I think as an OZbargainer, the major household brand names have become out of my league, for one Apple is, and even the Korean brand name Samsung has become too commercialised to me.
To buy a powerful smartphone without the price tag of iphone5 or s3, I did a few research from Oct-Dec last year (things must have changed now).
I was wanting to get a Nexus 4 for myself last year, but after realising the severe out-of-stock issue, I resorted to a Chinese twin instead. I bought the Xiaomi Mi2 http://www.gizchina.com/2012/09/24/xiaomi-m2-is-faster-than-… or there is an unboxing video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhRqPrpkoJA through the help of a Chinese friend, it has similar spec and built quality as Nexus 4.
The Xiaomi Mi2 was hard to purchase too http://asia.cnet.com/product/xiaomi-mi-two-46728158.htm, the first round of release was sold out in 3 minutes, the same goes for the 2nd and 3rd round.
However, I managed to snipe one up on the 4th release (Xmas eve), and that too was when the 16gb model ran out of stock and I couldn't resist buying the 32Gb model at a higher price.
A huewi is completely different from an Iphone.
1) the design. Iphones are just made for fashion really
2) the process. its faster, like 10 times faster then the Huewei
3) you can do more stuff on it. theres the new passbook, and its shaper, and way faster then most phones out on the market.You can convince her to buy a Samsung Galaxy s2, which is a little bit slower then the Iphone 5, but works just like the Iphone 4s/4 you can get it for $350 i think. or on a plan, but i dont recommend for a 14year old. Or get an Iphone 4/4s if she really wants an Iphone.
Lots of my colleagues buy a phone and salary sacrifice it. They sell the phone after a year to 1.5 year for half the cost and get a new phone. You would be able to buy an iphone 4 for around 300 on ebay or gumtree. Instead of spending her hard earned money on a new iphone she would be better off buying a 1 year old phone at half the price of a new one.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_…
maybe ask her why she want the iphone? as sraymond said it all come to personal choice. the more expensive ones usually would have better specs
Her reply: It's everything I've ever wanted.
Her friends probably have one.. They are alright..
According my daughter, only one of her friends has one.
warn her about losing the phone (accidentally/stolen) and the lost that she could incur, especially when her circle are just using a normal phone.
so she wants to be popular.
well that's worrying…
for Apple.
If it's all she ever wanted howcome you don't chip in for it? Birthday or early Christmas…You could put it on a plan, and pay off half each month for her?
She wants it, prepared to work and save for it. Sounds like you have done a good job teaching her the value of working for what ou want. She's earnt it and learning valuable life skills in my opinion. Props on your parenting work and props to her for taking it on board and even asking you if she can do it an not buying one behind your back.
Exactly what I was trying to get at in my comment up there somewhere ^^^^.
The girl has saved for it. She's not getting it on credit.
I say if she worked for the money and knows what she is buying, let her reward herself. Good on the parent for teaching her about savings.
she still has a long way to live on, life is more meaningful than the "rotten apple" quoted by the shareholders when their share drops 25% in a week…….
Her reply: (Apple says) It's everything I've ever wanted.
Her reply: It's everything I've ever wanted.
shes buying the brand and acceptance in her rather shallow group of friends by the sounds of it.
the apple is more expensive and does no more than the android equivalent (im some opinions apple does less). and no matter which way she goes she will want a new fone in 6 to 12 months when all her friends change to something new anyway. so her $700 will be for about 9 or 10 months use till she wants the new one.
i can only hope what ever she gets she will realise how foolish it is to spend so much money (relative to her income) simply caus its what someone else has/wants.
I would say that a 14 year old has no business buying such an expensive smartphone. I highly doubt that the purchase would be motivated by anything other than the 'popular' factor of owning an iDevice - basically, she probably only wants to show off.
However; it's her money and she (to some extent) has the right to do as she pleases with it. You can consider it a learning exercise. I bought a smartphone outright when I was 16, and I regretted it soon afterwards. In the long run, hopefully, your daughter will realise what a waste of money it is (though judging from the "It's everything I've ever wanted.", I wouldn't be too sure). At such a dependent age, teenagers just don't need smartphones.
My advice would be to, if not convince her off the purchase, convince her into cheaper options (refurbished models, second hand, etc). A cheap(ish) Android device (like this)~$2-300 would do the exact same thing as an iPhone (as required by a 14 year old) and would be a better option, but it's obvious she won't go for it.
I agree with you on the "popular factor".
She has not even researched into other devices. The only thing she keeps saying is that the iphone has a camera on both sides.The only thing she keeps saying is that the iphone has a camera on both sides.
Heh, so have 95% of phones since 2007. Take a look at the Motorola I briefly mentioned (it's quite good value for money - equivalent to an iPhone 4/4S) and see if she likes it… but to me, it sounds like she is severely disinterested by anything that doesn't have an 'i' prefix.
Hey my daughter's 15 and it blindly had to be an iphone 4 for her too:
That vid is comedy!
Many a truth said in jest.
No much different to all the managers at different work places wanting iPads. Telling them that it is a pain to manage, you can't use it as a mass storage device, getting photos on and off it requires iTunes, it doesn't have proper Office, it doesn't connect nicely to SharePoint… do you think any of that matters? No, because they WANT in iPad. Same with teenagers and iPhones. But then again, if she really wants an iPhone, getting an Android device to her is a sure way to disappoint her. Regardless whether it's actually cheaper, better etc. none of that matters, it's the WANT bit there.
Yeah, to expand on your last point… if her heart is set on it then she shouldn't get anything else.
What's worse? Spending $700 on the item you want, or spending $200-$500 on something you don't want and having buyers regret for the next few months?
I'd spend the $700.
Monad on 20/01/2013 - 01:50
Hey my daughter's 15 and it blindly had to be an iphone 4 for her too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaxU0ut5tUwoh man, that video hilarious…… if for the fact it wasnt so close to true…… :)
FML, I herd the health department is rolling out iPad's for all their staff that could make use of them for their job. FML FML FML… :(
Doesn't sound like a responsible use of tax payer money :(
lol all smartphones have cams on both sides even a $99 one
Really how would you know
Please refer to the middle paragraph, which you conveniently skipped over. I know because I was once in this situation (albeit, as an older teenager) and I regret doing so; it was a waste of money. Teenagers, in general, are not responsible enough for such an expensive investment; you would not believe the amount of damaged iPhones I've seen, merely because people are excessively careless with them.
Well might be better to see what the daughter wants, and if she is willing to pay, then so be it.
So the OP should just sit back, whilst his daughter makes a needlessly expensive purchase, merely for the goal of furthering her social vanity?
The OP asked if iPhone's are worth it, and no, they are not - especially not for a 14 year old. Sometimes, you have to think past "I want, therefore I must have" and consider things in a practical manner. A cheaper phone, that performs the same function at half the price, is by far a more practical option. Why should a 14y/o have something, just because they want it? That's not how the world works.
Yes, the daughter can spend her money on what she wants (to an extent) - but the parent has an obligation to teach her how to use it responsibly. If that means saying 'no' sometimes, then so be it - but that's the OP's prerogative.
MEN always THINK they know best!!
Kindly take your irrelevant, sexist bullshit elsewhere.
The parent has taught her how to use the money responsibly. The fact that the daughter has saved for it shows that she's already learnt the most important lesson… saving for the things you want rather than buying everything on credit.
Also, why should the daughter buy something for half the price if she doesn't want it? Why spend $350 and have buyer's regret? Why not just spend the $700 and be over the moon? If she does buy it and go "Oh man, that was all my savings" then she can learn from that "mistake" and make a better decision in future, but at least she will have the phone she wants. If she buys a POS $350 phone to make the negative posters here happy, then she's going to be upset, having wasted half her money on something she doesn't even like.
Whether it is a show off thing or a "I like what the phone has and does" thing, we aren't in a position to judge the daughter on it. We can't assume her reasons for buying it. In fact I'd be more likely to give her the benefit of the doubt that she genuinely likes the phone, given she's saved the money for it and not just expecting it to appear in her hand. It already shows a higher level of maturity than many other 14 yr olds. Give the girl some credit.
Just because you made a regretful purchase, doesn't mean we all have to.
The parent has taught her how to use the money responsibly. The fact that the daughter has saved for it shows that she's already learnt the most important lesson… saving for the things you want rather than buying everything on credit.
She's 14 years old, she doesn't have access to credit. Using money responsibly doesn't just stop at saving, it extends to judging the worth of the product against it's cost.
Also, why should the daughter buy something for half the price if she doesn't want it? Why spend $350 and have buyer's regret? Why not just spend the $700 and be over the moon?
Why should she spend $700 on a phone, solely because she wants it? Why should she make such an expensive investment - one many adults wouldn't even make - based on her wants? I wanted to buy a brand new Holden Commodore for my first car - does that mean I should have just bought it? No, because it would have been a waste of money, and I didn't need it. So what if she has buyer's regret? She's 14; at such a young age, you have to settle for less because (a) it's a ridiculous amount to blow on a phone and (b) you don't need any more. When I was her age, I had a $100 Nokia flip phone - and that was dead-set reasonable. She shouldn't just jump to the top of the technological ladder because she feels like it.
You're putting far too much stock in her wants. I swear, these days people just give their children whatever they want, because they're too afraid to say 'no'. Instead of constantly going on about what she wants, why don't you consider what would be adequate? Adequate for a 14y/o with limited disposable income. Is it a top-of-the-line smartphone, or is it a budget, mid-range smartphone that suits her needs equally well? Who cares if she won't be happy with it now; she has plenty of time later on to buy expensive devices - when she is more responsible, has more disposable income, and has an actual need for it.
If she buys a POS $350 phone to make the negative posters here happy, then she's going to be upset, having wasted half her money on something she doesn't even like.
First of all: a $350 smartphone is not a POS and it's sad that you're so misleading. A $350 Android phone would suit her needs and income perfectly; the only reason she's disregarding them, is because they're not as fashionable as iPhones. Is that irrelevant? Hell no. With an attitude like that, she'll always be paying top dollar for whatever's trending these days - whether it's quality or not. Again, being smart with your money doesn't just stop at saving.
In taking such consideration in her emotional state, you fail to realise how she would feel, should her dream $700 smartphone be smashed on the sidewalk. Add to that: how much would it cost to fix / replace? A hell of a lot more than a $350 'POS'. If she doesn't have the disposable income to maintain the phone - either in the case of running costs (plan, credit, etc) or repairs. Would you buy an expensive car if you didn't have enough money to insure it?
Whether it is a show off thing or a "I like what the phone has and does" thing, we aren't in a position to judge the daughter on it. We can't assume her reasons for buying it.
Did you read the comments above? She hadn't even researched other smartphones - simply following the iDevice culture - and the OP is virtually of the same opinion. If she wants to spend her money on such an expensive device, knowing all the possible ramifications, then fine - but it should be an informed decision, and made with the right reasons in mind. Those two things have not been exhibited thus far.
Be nonjudgmental all you like, but the OP asked for advice and being standoff-ish can only grant limited usefulness.
given she's saved the money for it and not just expecting it to appear in her hand.
Well of course she has to save for it, she has no other option.
Just because you made a regretful purchase, doesn't mean we all have to
That's grossly oversimplifying things.
Adequate for a 14y/o with limited disposable income
Well, unless the family is in financial struggle, I would say that all the income that a child earned by working IS disposable income.
I am not saying that carelessly spending your disposable income is a good idea though.+1'd @ ProspectiveDarkness!
. Why should a 14y/o have something, just because they want it? That's not how the world works.
Boy o Boy ain't that true.
Things I wish I got when I was 14 years old ,, that'd be a new thread by itself.
Kindly take your irrelevant, sexist bullshit elsewhere.
If this was a boxing match you just kicked her Butt :-)
loving it !Boy o Boy ain't that true.
Well, that's how it used to work. Most parents these days just give their children anything. Apparently you're also no longer supposed to use the word 'no' with small children. Ha, right.
There was so much more excitement in working your way up the technological ladder of gadgetry (and no, new iterations of iPhones don't count), with every sequential purchase more advanced and exciting than the last - now, not so much.
way too many comments on the merits on XXX brand over YYY brand, personally i think that's not the point!
if she is old enough to earn the money she can spend it on what she wants, as long as she is very clear on the responsibility of owning said item, in this case the possibility of item damage/theft, paying for the phone bill etc as soon as there is a complaint about the bill being too high, take it away for a week, then she will know the value of the item! she will also learn responsibility and how to manage the bills that come with such an item, you have to know these things sooner or later, better to learn with a $700 phone than say a $30,000 car later on where she could get in over her head with bills…
I'd tell her you were thinking of buying one too, as they are so cool, and all your friends have one already. That should be the end of it.
How about refurbished ones like these? https://www.ebgames.com.au/tablets-158078-iPhone-4-16GB-Unlo…
Or gumtree/ebay?
Watch out from Gumtree/Ebay for Icrap stuff.
In terms of hardware, the iPhone costs far more than others with others similar/better specs. The software is comparable; Apple goes for a shiny user interface, Android goes for customization.
The most common deciding factor people have for an iPhone is image based. Apple is currently trendy and has the perception of being a premium product. This is where a lot of people generate their feeling of value from.
Myself, I bought a Sony Xperia SL which wasn't the best in the price range (though $300 cheaper and similar/better specs than the latest iPhone) but I liked the look and have a history with the brand.
Let her learn the lesson herself, let her buy one.
It will teach her a valuable lesson at 14, one that some people don't ever learn.iphones are overpriced but has a larger apps selection
and if she is happy with the software as it is then iphone is okaybut if you want to customised the os to your liking then android is better and cheaper.
If you compare the
Samsung S3 = $500
vs
iphone = 700 to 900 dollars.Samsung gives you a bigger screen and similar spec to iphone.
Also there is a trend happening that iphones are getting less popular with teenagers
Apple stocks has drop from high of $700 to 500 now.
And iphone 5 demand has been less than other models.People are catching on that iphones still have the same UI as it has since it debut even though the hardware has changed alot.
The UI is getting pretty boring.And managing the icons mess on the homescreen is a pain in the ass when there is heaps of apps installed.
I got an ipad and even though I like the large amounts of apps, sometimes I wished I could customise the OS to my liking and notice some issues that I wished would get fix, but can't do anything about it, until apple decides to fix some of those issues if they choose to or not.
But just because Apple stocks are dropping and iPhone demand is falling, doesn't mean the current generation of tweens view the iphone as the end all and be all mobile device. You can only make an evaluation of the Iphone because you've already used their previous iterations.
For kids who have never so much as used Apple ipod or iphones, they don't really mind what the UI looks like or how the hardware performs. They just want it because of how it's marketed.
iPhones are marketed as a kind of lifestyle device amongst the young. If you want 'face', you have to have an iPhone.Better to actually ask what she wants. Kids are pretty finicky these days.
Actually, the number of apps available between the two marketplaces is pretty much even. I think Play Store might also get more installs than the App Store now. The difference is that the App Store earns Apple (much) more money than the Play store earns for Google - so either iPeople are using the apps more after downloading them, or they're more likely to PAY for apps than android users. I think it's the latter.
Tell her Justin Bieber or One Direction has a Samsung Galaxy S2/3.
really?
HAHAHAHAHAH That would work. just photoshop a pic of justin holding one
You should be proud of your daughter for wanting to do the fiscally responsible thing and buy a phone outright. Put her on to a good phone service plan (Amaysim, LiveConnected, Exetel for Optus equivalents or Lebara for a Vodafone equivalent) and she'll come out ahead compared to a phone plan that includes a phone.
Don't listen to any rubbish about 'iPhone vs Android'. The platform you use is based on preference. Apple products generally cost a premium, but if your daughter is considering an iPhone 4S over an iPhone 5 then she obviously has some good sense about her and isn't just looking for the latest and greatest.
My advice is somewhat based on you living in a metropolitan area. Access to an Apple store means you can get any problems with an iPhone that's under warranty fixed pretty much straight away. Plus if you're in a quite rural area, you will need a Telstra plan as they have the best service in rural areas and there's no reseller that offer their coverage network.
Basically, if you want your daughter to have the 'best' phone then you're as bad as all the nerds and fanboys that upgrade with every new model because they're obsessed. Does your daughter own a smartphone now? If not, let her buy what she wants and it will probably turn out to be a solid choice of a phone that she'll keep for a long time. If she wants to change or upgrade her phone when her current smartphone is still under warranty or at least working well, then maybe you should talk to her about whether its worth the money.
Edit: had a read, and saw that she does own a Huawei smartphone. What kind of person owns a Huawei smartphone? So, I still say let her choose. Maybe she doesn't know how to use a smartphone constructively now, but no one does before they own one and some people never do. She's buying it for herself, and if she looks after it and gets an Apple protection plan and a case then she might be 8 and a half weeks down cash-wise but she could keep it for 100+ weeks. If she looks after it, the money shouldn't matter.
TLDR; Seriously, Huawei?
You're making fun of Huawei owners? (I have a GS3 btw) Ever heard of the Huawei Ascend D2?? Quad core, 5in 1080p retina display, 13MP camera - doubt that you would have anything near as good… seriously
This is my point. You own two phones, a Samsung Galaxy S3 and a 'spare phone'. You only need one phone, and so does this person's daughter. The Galaxy S3 is a great choice, and so is an iPhone 4S.
Edit: OP, if you really think that iPhone is a bad choice for your daughter then you should definitely be looking at a Samsung Galaxy S3 for her.
or she can get a cheaper phone with better specs which would be even more fiscally responsible. buying an iphone outright to save money is an oxymoron so i'm not sure what to be proud of here other than bowing down to consumerism.
granted she's 14 though, kids always want the coolest gadgets and since it's coming out of her pay there's really nothing wrong with it. as a parent you can only educate her, and the best way is to let her know that 1) there are other choices out there where you can buy better for less, and 2) if you save $400 bucks brainstorm all the things she can buy with the leftover money.
and fyi huawei makes quality phones on par with other big brand names. the kind of person who owns a huawei phones is non-judgmental, well-informed and down to earth with no need for the "cool factor." unlike you, clearly.
By saying that buying an iPhone and saving money are contradictory terms, you're outing yourself as being out to say 'no to iPhone!'. Maybe I hit a nerve when I said making her use a Huawei is ridiculous, but the idea that any phone is better value based on specs and price tag is equally ridiculous. But this is Ozbargain, and value is subjective.
If she want's to use her own money to buy an Iphone 4/5 let her if she loses it or drop's the Phone, It's her fault let her learn from her mistakes and convince her to get an Andriod.
At 14, I guarantee she is just doing it for the popularity of the thing. She won't use it to do anything more than calls (if any teenager even calls anyone anymore), texts and facebook/other light browsing.
There are countless other phones on the market that do exactly (more or less) what the iPhone does for a fraction of the cost. Ok, it won't be as shiny as an iPhone, but it will fit the exact same purpose and she will not have the constant fear of it breaking or anything. She appears to have fallen victim to apple's marketing, and has her eyes set on the simplicity and shininess of the iPhone.
Honestly, she could spend <$300 and get identical results for her purpose (whether it be a refurbed iphone 4 or a brand new android, depending on the apps she wants). In the end, she doesn't need a brand new iPhone 5… especially at 14 (in my opinion). I think give her 2 more years at least before she buys a top-end phone, when maybe she can have a better value for money.
Of course, she can always buy the iphone 5 now and regret it when she drops, loses or otherwise damages it (and believe me, flimsy plastic cases don't do anything for smartphones in 99% of cases other than prevent scratches).
So yeah, in my opinion it's a complete waste of money for a 14 year old to buy an iPhone 5, but it's not my decision to make.
Refurbed iPhone 4 or a really good Android phone (native Android 4.0 or 4.1) are definitely better choices than an iPhone 5.
$700 just to use facebook and instagram and most likely tumblr… all her friends will be on instagram and she'll just use it to take luvos… all 3 of these combined are just honest to god, bad influences for a teenager..
but if she is gonna save up for an iphone, you should also let her pay for her own data plan/sim so you won't suddenly rack up a $400 bill one month
Except her current phone (a Huawei) likely already runs Android? If not, she could buy one that did for about $100.
And Android already has Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and every other app that is on iOS.
What a waste. Buy her a Samsung E1170T for $30 instead not a $700 toy people only buy so they are part of the sheep. If she needs a phone give her one. Talk about first world problems.
If you were recommending a $30 phone that had all the features of an iPhone you might have an argument. But instead you're recommending a piece of shit that doesn't even have a web browser.
Get with the times gramps - some people buy smartphones because they want and actually use the extra features and not because they're 'sheep'.
Find out about why she wants the iPhone. What does she need/want that her current phone doesn't have/do? Many low priced android phones, maybe hers too, can only fit a few extra apps due to insufficient built-in memory. Great websites to research phones are gsmarena.com and whirlpool.net.au
IMO a great option is to buy the redbullmobile prepaid $365 12 month unlimited calls + 5Gb/month data, with their offer of a Samsung Galaxy S2 for $284 extra. That's calls and mobile internet for a year plus an excellent phone at less than the cost of an iPhone 5. But before buying check vodafone GSM call and 3G data coverage in your area.
If an iPhone is the choice she could buy an iPhone 3GS for $198 here http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/90391
Good luckNo matter how sensible a 14 year-old she is and how careful she says she'll be with her new phone, the simple reality is that loss, theft, or damage are all dramatically increased as outcomes when you're a teenager. It's just the way it is.
Given that just in a general sense (non-teenager specific) 25% of the new phone market is accounted for by way of replacements for dropped or drowned phones, I'd be doing my level best to highlight the benefits of saving or redirecting the money she would otherwise be spending.
Good luck with that!
Let her buy the phone, and see the process of rapid depreciation of technology.
Trust me, in a few years, at 18, she will wish she had saved that $700 towards buying a car. At the age, it's the car that is coveted, a phone becomes passe.
and when she turns 25, she'd wish she'd saved that money to put down on a house.
A kidney is just for a lifetime, whereas purchasing an iPhone is forever…
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/10/world/asia/china-kidney-ip…
Just a thought - that might help you persuasion-wise. Are there iPads in the house? Does she have one of her own? Does she have an iPad Mini?
For the price of an iPhone 5, make sure she understands that she can buy a damn good Android phone (with a damn good camera and a bigger screen than an iPhone 5) and buy a Mini to run any Apple specific apps and games she may have seen and feels that her life will be ruined without. Potentially with quite a chunk of change left over.This is a good way to persuade her.
My advice is forget about all the tech talk here, and comparisons with aple and the andriod.
This is a question of your daughter wanting to be fashionable and following what's cool. Personally, I would try very hard at convincing her it's not a path worth following, she will have just as happy life without such materialism than with it.
I have friends who complain about being poor wanting to buy LV bags and rolex watches, I just sigh.
Thou, if she does need a smart phone for whatever reason( mine is so I don't get lost driving and burning liters of petrol driving around for street signs and directions) you can start doing research on phone capabilities and usability issues.
just get an android, they're much cheaper and do exactly the same thing. iPhones are seen as trendy but they won't be in a few years. She probably only wants an iPhone to 'fit in'
She is paying for the phone out of her own pocket. Let her decide. iPhone 5 is the best Apple iPhone at the moment. iPhone 4S is not bad either; forget iPhone 4 (too old, too slow).
$700 isn't a big deal. iPhones and other smartphones are very popular. My parents don't really know how to use smartphones, yet they want smartphones. The cleaners in my office have better smartphones than I do.
While you could ask her to consider an Android phone like Galaxy S3 (to save some money), she probably already made up her mind and if she ended up regretting the purchase, then you might get the blame.
Just a reminder: she can return an Apple product purchased from an Apple store within the first 14 days of the purchase and get a full refund. I returned an Apple product before, the Apple staff was very friendly throughout the whole process (and it was really quick as well).
The smartphone purchase could also be considered partially work related, then she probably can get some tax deduction from her tax return.
It is not a "money" issue. Every smartphone drops in value rapidly. If an $700+ iPhone can make her happy for a long time, then it is worth it.
it is a money issue if you are devoting 2 months pay and 100% of your disposable income to buy something that is over-priced and you don't need.
there's nothing wrong with buying an iphone itself, but as a parent you are obligated to at least discourage your child, especially at such a young age, from falling in with having all the "latest and coolest."
that's how you end up with young adults who struggles to pay their power bills and can only pay the interest on their credit card because they are paying off two iphones (one for the girlfriend/boyfrind), an ipad, a MBP, latest fashion, a new SUV, a jacuzzi etc etc..
If you believe that she shouldn't get a smartphone at all, then sure.. that's an option.
Just because she is 14 does not mean she cannot have one of the latest and greatest for a while (and even iPhone 5 will only be the best iPhone for at most 9 more months). As for wasting money, if she ended up selling the iPhone before the new one is released, she probably can get 70%-75% of the money back.
If you believe that she shouldn't get a smartphone at all, then sure.. that's an option.
Don't be silly, that's not what xbai is suggesting.
The current parenting trend is to let kids have what they want so long as they can afford it — which eventually backfires because you end raising kids who have no concept of saving money and managing their finances. They want the latest fashions and brands and gadgets — and they want it NOW regardless of their financial positioning.
They don't understand what it is like later on, to live by themselves, have to pay taxes, pay off mortgages and travel expenses. A 14 year old needs to be taught early on because when they turn 18 and get into uni, that's where real life hits.
A $700 phone is a massive amount for a 14 year old. If you think carefully in terms of spending money, that amount of money could be used to buy a regular $300 smartphone and a $400 laptop + possible software for studies etc.
back when i was 14 i remember losing sleep over lending out $20 to a not so close friend. oh well, i guess it's no surprise i ended up here ;)
Back when I was 14, I was relying on my parents for everything. So, to me, a 14 year old working part time is already impressive.
Since it is 2013 now, I reckon getting a Nexus 4 or better makes sense. Problem is Nexus 4 is so hard to get. S3 is fine, but S4 is on its way. On the other hand, Apple is smart, the price gap between 4S and 5 is not big enough to make a new iPhone 4S worthwhile.
I don't think just because someone is 14, he/she cannot use the latest technology. I know peple who let 5 year old children play / learn on an iPad.
I have bought a couple of them outright, paying $700 or so each time and I reckon they were worh it. Depending on your daughter's income she obviously thinks so too. It will teach her about saving, so that's a good thing. For somebody who needs to save for a phone, maybe just getting it on a plan is a better idea. As for the iPhone itself, it is comparable to any of the other smart phones and in the end it comes down to personal choice.