A report from wikitree.co.kr published Friday says smartphone makers' subscription services can end up costing customers more overall than the price of the device itself. The report highlights a plan priced at $18 per month, noting that the total paid over the life of the subscription exceeds the full cost of the phone.
According to wikitree.co.kr, the structure of these subscriptions means the monthly figure alone does not reflect what a customer ultimately spends. The headline frames the issue as one of total cost: paying in smaller installments can look cheaper up front while adding up to more than a direct purchase.
The report does not detail which manufacturer offers the $18 plan or how long the subscription term runs. It also does not specify the device's retail price or the difference between the two figures. What it does make clear, per wikitree.co.kr, is that the comparison between subscribing and buying is not as straightforward as the monthly rate suggests.
Subscription models have become a common way for phone makers to sell hardware alongside services, spreading payment across a set period rather than a single upfront charge. The wikitree.co.kr report points to the gap between that monthly framing and the eventual total.
Watch for the full breakdown of the plan's term, device price and any bundled services, which would show exactly how the subscription total compares with an outright purchase.
