How to make my S5 last forever

[carbear02]

Given that subsidized phones are on the way out and it will cost $700 for a new phone from now on, what can I do to make my S5 last forever (or as long as possible)? Towelrooted and still on JellyBean

 

[Dark Penguin]

Subsidized phones are on the way out? Really? Why would the carriers eliminate their best tactic for customer retention?

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[ironass]

Subsidized phones are on the way out? Really? Why would the carriers eliminate their best tactic for customer retention?

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Verizon Drops Contracts and Subsidies for New Customers

Sprint CEO says he may drop phone subsidies in 2015

Sprint to Drop Two-Year Contracts, Following T-Mobile and Verizon

AT&T’s Ralph de la Vega: Subsidized Phones Are Going Away

 

[Dark Penguin]

Verizon Drops Contracts and Subsidies for New Customers

Sprint CEO says he may drop phone subsidies in 2015

Sprint to Drop Two-Year Contracts, Following T-Mobile and Verizon

AT&T’s Ralph de la Vega: Subsidized Phones Are Going Away

I can't help wondering if the carriers have really been subsidizing anything. I can't believe that the total amount I pay each month goes entirely for the the service alone. In the past we've seen offers of "free" and "deeply discounted" phones, as the carriers put it, but to take that at face value would have been rather naive, IMO.

For carriers like mine this will probably benefit those who want cheaper handsets since they'll now have a cheaper monthly bill. The last time I upgraded, about seven months ago, I was told that there was no difference in the monthly charges whether you ordered a subsidized smartphone, or ordered one retail off contract, or ordered a free dumb phone.



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[Rukbat]

I can't help wondering if the carriers have really been subsidizing anything.

Not really. Take AT&T. If you bring your own phone, it's $15/month cheaper than if you buy a subsidized phone. Figure $200 for the phone, then $25/month for 24 months, which is $600 and you're paying $800 for a $700 phone. Now they'll give you the same plan without the $25/month payment and you buy the phone outright. You'll actually be saving money on most phones.