Technology

Why Are Some Cellphone Carriers Steering Customers Away From iPhones?

Within the last couple years, more cellphone service providers have begun to carry Apple’s iPhone. At first only AT&T carried the device, then in January 2011, Verizon and other major carriers began selling the Apple smartphone as well.

But given the plethora of other smartphone brands there are to choose from, reports over the last couple months show that sales staff may be trying to turn customers away from the iPhone when they can.

Just this week, T-Mobile, which is not a provider for iPhone, allegedly was shown to be encouraging its employees to sell against the iPhone. TmoNews released a leaked memo regarding the company’s September training priorities and one of the action items was specifically “Selling Against the iPhone.”

Leaked T Mobile Memo Allegedly Shows It Wants Its Employees to Sell Against iPhone, It May Not Be Alone

An allegedly leaked memo from T-Mobile. (Image: TmoNews)

TmoNews states:

Perhaps it’s coincidental that the information for employees to utilize against the iPhone will drop on September 21st, a date being tossed around as a possible release date for the next-generation iPhone. Perhaps it’s just coincidence but we can’t envision a scenario in which T-Mobile would prepare their employees to sell against a product they are about to receive.

Although it appears that the company will continue to go iPhone-less, TmoNews does point out it seems to be getting technology that allows unlocked iPhone 4 or 4s to be used through the carrier.

But is T-Mobile the only one allegedly selling against the iPhone. Some report similar experiences at more generic stores selling phones as well. A commenter on MacRumors wrote:

The worst are the mall stores that have AT&T and Verizon logos but are actually “cellular sales” or something. In the past, they wouldn’t sell the iPhone at all because the profit margins were so narrow. Now they sell it, but do everything they can to annoy you about your purchase. “OMG, don’t you know Droids do so much more? …”

Verizon was also accused earlier this year, via anecdotal evidence, of steering customers away from the iPhone. Chris Matyszczyk did some undercover reporting in May to show just how much he was being unsold the iPhone at a Verizon store:

First, I noticed that the iPhones at this Verizon store weren’t displayed near any of the other smartphones. They had their own little home, tucked away against a wall. The majority of this store was given over to rivals.

When Phil came over I told him the truth, said that my friends toss stale eggs at me because I still have AT&T, and asked him what he recommended.

He darted immediately toward the Motorola Droid Razr. He explained that this would download anything 10 times faster than the iPhone.

Eventually, Matyszczyk asked why Verizon sells the iPhone at all. To which Phil responded, “Verizon doens’t push iPhones. Apple pushes iPhones.” Is it telling though that when Matyszczyk asked Phil what type of phone he used, it was an iPhone?

Leaked T Mobile Memo Allegedly Shows It Wants Its Employees to Sell Against iPhone, It May Not Be Alone

(Photo: AP/Don Ryan, File)

David Goldman for CNN Monday conducted 10 similar experiments in May and was also pushed a 4G Android over iPhone.

On a personal note, while looking at iPhone versus Android at a Verizon store around the time Matyszczk’s piece came out, my shopping buddy and I had a similar experience. The sales clerk there immediately questioned why I thought the iPhone was what I wanted and immediately went on to debunk some of our reasoning to cite how other brands of phones within the store were better. After working with me, she went on to do the same thing to another customer who was adamant about the iPhone.

While T-Mobile may have it’s own reasons to sell against the iPhone — it doesn’t officially sell the device in the first place — Goldman explained on CNN that supplying the iPhone costs the carriers more:

Verizon and its rivals all pay much heftier up-front subsidies for the iPhone than for other devices. Verizon is also trying to ease congestion on its 3G network by promoting its more capacious and more efficient 4G service.

Goldman points out that AT&T, which has carried the phone all along, may have similar profit margin issues, but he says their reps touted the iPhone at every turn during his visit there.

On a lighter note for Apple fans though, with the leaked memo mentioning Sept. 21, some are taking this as further confirmation of the release date for iPhone 5 — which has not been announced publicly.

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Comments (102)

1 2
  • sledgehammer44
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 3:23pm

    Look i’m definitley a PC guy. never owned a Mac anything, not even an ipod. lol. That is until i bought an i phone 3gs a few years ago. I bought it because i needed that particular phone for my work and to be honest it’s been a very good phone. I‘m still using it and haven’t had 1 problem with it. I did put a case on it, which i‘m sure saved the phone several times when i’ve dropped it. I will still buy PC stuff because it has been very reliable for me as well and will continue to buy I phones as long as it remains reliable. I like to keep it simple and stick with what I know works.

    Report Post » sledgehammer44  
    • CommonSenseTalk
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 3:52pm

      Its all about the money, Apple has very little mark up and no sales.

      Apple is the best at what they do, windows just copied Apple and has will never be the best.

      I’ve had 5 ibm/windows type computers, and they all got a virus or you had to be a computer programmer just to load a program.

      I did learn how to dispose of e-waste properly and dispose of my hard drive, but that the only thing I learned with my windows based computers.

      Report Post »  
    • LIBERTARIAN T38
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:49pm

      Here’s the deal: Apple made huge mistake long ago and Microsoft grew huge (Apple fans think everything including the recipe for ice was stolen from Apple). Apple perfects laptops and invents ipad and ipod-brilliant. Meanwhile, back at the ranch…Apple spends 20 years defeating its hated rival Microsoft in computers and the cel phone war…only to find it was behind Android and Samsung. Apple claims rectangular phones were its idea and convinces an American jury (but not abroad where Apple was ruled to have stolen from Samsung) to go along. Seriously, Apple sued when it couldn’t compete in the US cel phone market-consumers were choosing Samsung and Android by a wide margin. Meanwhile, Microsoft recovers somewhat and offers computers with a good OS that make more sense cost-wise than Apple for most users. So….if Apple is successful, they will be a monopoly in cel phones and tablets (they hope)…except, with Android gone, Microsoft may make a comeback, especially because of public backlash against Apple. Moral of the story? Apple makes great products, uses courts to eliminate competition but may live to regret giving Microsoft an opening. BTW, my 1 brother the Mactivist who HATES Microsoft has Android phones for his entire family and my other brother who uses Macs in his photograpy business complains that they’re so expensive and he wishes he could be like me and the other 90% and use a PC for a fourth the cost. Just saying…

      Report Post » LIBERTARIAN T38  
    • Kenszen
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:20am

      @Commonsensetalk Need to be a computer programmer to install software? Really? You need to be a programmer to insert a disc and click on “install?” Huh. Interesting.

      And BTW, you say that Windows stole from Apple. Where did Apple (Jobs) get the Windows UI and the mouse? From Xerox. Apple didn’t invent them, they stole it–whoops–took it from Xerox who invented it. (But couldn’t figure out how to use it in their photocopying business.)

      Report Post »  
  • testandverify
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 3:17pm

    Hey BLAZE I would not be very proud of Liz as the writer. She must not understnad competition and marketing very well. I maybe time to send her back to writing fluff articles than anything hard hitting! How would she react in walking into a Chevy dealer and wondering why they talk down ford?????

    Report Post »  
    • mattva1981
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:37pm

      “How would she react in walking into a Chevy dealer and wondering why they talk down ford?????” This is a bad analogy. Verizon (or AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) are phone dealers. It‘s not as if it’s a Sony or Nokia dealer. They sell all different kinds of phones. I’ve personally experienced the bias against iPhones. I walked into a Verizon Wireless Store (a corporate store) knowing precisely which phone I wanted (an iPhone, of course) and they tried their hardest to steer me away from it.

      Report Post » mattva1981  
  • tstickroe
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:42pm

    Apple products are for stupid people. People who don’t know what the latest technology is and why they should want it on their devices. Here is a simple example. Until Apple decided to get into the cell phone market it wasn’t possible to get an Ipod with bluetooth technology. The only reason their subsequent Ipod’s had bluetooth technology is because they wanted to get into the cell phone market. Cell phones long before the Iphone were utilizing bluetooth technology, so Apple had to produce a product that was comparable. Once they realized that the Iphone was gonig to have bluetooth technology they had to start making their Ipod‘s with the same technology because they knew even their dumbest of addicted consumers were going to ask why the Iphone has it and the Ipod doesn’t. This is just one of many examples of how Apple is not consumer driven. They have a mass of brainless zombies that will flock to the store and wait in line to buy whatever it is that comes out next. Kudo’s to their marketing team, but shame on Apple for being dishonest and frankly irresponsible. They already charge more money for things then they should be… why would it hurt them to be tech forward. Heaven forbid if the mindless zombies realize it at some point. I know its not likely going to happen but Apple will go from the largest net worth company to the least net worth company in record time.

    Report Post »  
    • CommonSenseTalk
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 3:58pm

      yea, they have no idea what they are doing. That’s why windows copied them.

      Us dumb people love a computer that works every time I turn it on. I purchase a apple laptop in 2005 and never had a problem. Loads software without loading 10 updates.

      So if you want a computer that works without problems, but maybe not the very latest, none proven technology then Apple may not be for you.

      Report Post »  
    • RajCaj
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:33pm

      I won’t go as far as to say iPhone users are stupid, but it’s no marketing secret that iOS devices are aimed at the mass market that just wants a device that works. It’s a controlled user experience, managed by apples design…that puts brand recognition above max functionality.

      Android, on the other hand, allows their users more functionality, customization, and flexibility…at the cost of “users experience may vary” (depending on grade of phone and what you are doing with it.)

      There is no defacto “best” in this….each are better, depending on the wants and need of the customer.

      I’d give my parents an iPhone (or iPad) before I’d suggest an android device. On the other hand….my technophile cousin would enjoy the android experience more than the grid view of apps that is iOS.

      Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:19am

      Apple has(IMHO) since the first MAC taken advantage of it’s customers, not to mention using them as unpaid beta testers(who actually pay for the privledge). They over charge and hiav incremental upgrades(fixes for errors) that their ‘loyal’ followers swoon over, too dim to realize they are being had, time and again. Truely a nation of sheep. The Ipod as well has always been over priced and under featured. I have deliberately never owned i phone nor pod(Sandissk Clip with a $4 micro SD is the most bang for the buck). But then, look how many millions voted for Obama.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
    • RobbieTLHughie
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:44am

      Lol seriously?

      Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
  • garand4life
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:42pm

    Just a thought from someone who has worked for both AT&T as a customer service rep and at Verizon on the sales side. Verizon pays me twice as much to sell 4G devices than the iphone and other 3G devices. However the landed cost of both devices aren’t much difference. However Samsung has paid us spiffs up to as much or more than the carrier commission. I have used both iOS and Android and still find iOS more reliable and more consistent than any version of Android. Apps are better made and the phone manages battery as well as my Razr Maxx which has 2.5 the battery capacity when used on the same 3G network. Android devices require bigger processors and more RAM to run their OS for the simple fact it is less efficient, requiring more system resources to maintain performance.
    When is comes to flash even Adobe has admitted that putting flash on a mobile OS, and mobile OS is too much hassle to keep doing it. All mobile browsers support HTML 5 and from an iOS stand point, those sites I “supposedly” can’t get have versions of their site tailored to my device in 90% of cases. Quit bashing on Apple for wanting to make money on an excellent product. You don’t bash Samsung or HTC for making major money on their devices.
    Oh, and by the way what % of Android devices are running JB or ICS? Maybe 75%… 95% of iOS devices are running the most current OS. Maybe the manufacturers should quit fragmenting an otherwise usable OS so that the stability improvements get to those devices on

    Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:31pm

      I have nothing against Apple; I admire them…just cannot afford them. Just like I cannot afford a high end car..
      It is obvious to me that Apple has an excellent products- just as others do.
      I have dependable cars and dependable computers, a dependable land line phone system- and an emergency cell phone.
      Apple borrowed money from another private company, presumably paid it back.

      ALL of these companies are filling the needs and wants of the consumers worldwide, and supplying jobs worldwide. This IS the success of CAPITALISM. Buy what you like because of you tastes, wants, and perceived needs. This bashing of products….would be better focused on obama…the worst ‘product’ our political system ever produced.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • RajCaj
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:13pm

      Look, to each it’s own when it comes to iOS vs Android….but your not accurately representing the differences.

      Android devices are less performant than iOS devices because of what they do. iOS is a grid view of buttons…..that’s it. If you look up WYSIWYG in a dictionary, you’ll find iOS. Most of the stuff you do on a mobile apple device is through an app. I’m not knocking apples market strat on this…superb hardware with a protected user experience appeals to the mass market, and is a great formula for positive branding.

      Android not only has the same grid view of buttons, it also allows the user to customize their home screen with widgets for their installed apps, without having to actually launch the app. You can check your mail, control pandora, pin a rotation of your fav pics, and display the daily weather forecast on your home screen. This takes more RAM and processing resources. You want features? It will cost you resources. Many people like to have that choice.

      As for the OS versioning fragmentation with Android….pick your poision. Sure, all the iPhones are running the most recent OS….only that the older hardware can’t use half the new features and slows to a crawl (RIP 3G w/ iOS 4 update). Older Android hardware doesn’t get the latest version, but they stay as performent as it was when you purchased it.

      Report Post »  
  • olddog
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:33pm

    Oh No not an iphone 5 already, I haven’t had my 4s for 6months yet and it will take me a couple of years to figure out all the neat stuff it does. It’s the 1st apple product I ever had and also the best phone I ever had. Everyone should have at least one in their life because nothing matches it, and I’m one of those old folks..

    Report Post » olddog  
  • koromir
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:31pm

    There are a few reasons why I chose my iPhone over an android. Before my iPod touch died, I had an ihome, plenty of apps and music already purchased. Why buy a droid when I can’t dock it in my ihome? Another reason why I chose the iPhone was because I can text for free all over the world to other iPhone users. (australia, Canada, and England to name a few) Besides, I already know how to use the iPhone. Whenever I’m handed a droid, I can‘t figure out what to do and it’s awkward. Also if I have issues I can go to an apple store to have them check it out free of charge.

    Report Post »  
  • ronin_6
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:15pm

    I try very hard to buy American, but I just can’t bring myself to buy Apple. Mostly its because the early Apple users(and many current ones) were such arrogant, snarky a**hats. Those impressions have stuck with me ever since and I have passed them on to my children. That and the fact that I hate paying 3 or 4 times what something is really worth, only to have that product rendered obsolete within 2 years.

    Report Post » ronin_6  
    • v15
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:37pm

      I’ve never had any problems with my iPhone. I do think some android-powered phones have pretty cool options but I’m sticking with AT&T and Apple. I‘m not saying Apple is the best but the quality of cellphones would be much less if Apple hadn’t introduced the first iPhone, thus substantially raising the bar above all their competition. Give credit where credit is due. Apple paved the way for smart phone technology.

      Report Post » v15  
    • listeninginVT
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 2:57pm

      I don’t have an iPhone. I bought a Mac, finally. The price was the problem for me too, But I made a deal w/myself after having more problems w/ my latest computer( I actually sat down and figured out ‘how much’ my computer was really costing me after purchase) ,I decided I would use it until it died instead of ‘fixing it’, and use the money for a Mac. It’s been a year since my purchase, I will Not go back to any other. I‘ve had no problems other than ’adjusting’ to the format, mouse etc… My system is just a fast as when I bought it, and I download a lot of book material, music etc…a LOT (even the computer people, for transfer of old comp. to new apple were shocked), I also haven’t purchased or updated any anti virus programs etc… and I did spend $20 for the Newest operating system, not upgrade, New. love it, love it… It’s hard to try, to make the change over, frustrating to ‘re-learn’ for different format than Windows, but it was so worth it…. I guess that makes me an a**hat, but I’m a really happy one w/ Apple, and my pocket book is much fatter than before (ironically).

      Report Post »  
    • RobbieTLHughie
      Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:17pm

      What kind of self-respecting, intelligent person purchases bases the products they buy, or don’t; on other people?

      Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
  • BigFish56
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:03pm

    The reason sales people push non-iPhones is that they get paid more. Our sales people get paid $5 for a iPhone sale and up to $60 on any other phone. Now what phones are you going to push? Apple is a very greedy company, they make a 60% profit margin on each sale and they make sure no one makes money off the deal except Apple. As a Company we make a total of $17 on a $700 iPhone, after the afore mentioned commission that leaves $12 on a $700 investment. There are better phones out there, the Galaxy series, the HTC line, and I like the Windows phones, easy to use and fast.

    Report Post »  
    • Okieflyover
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:30pm

      This is true at radio shack as well.

      Report Post »  
    • CommonSenseTalk
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 4:17pm

      I’m with you, this is the free market at work. They should stop pushing Apple because they can not make as much money.

      Report Post »  
  • TheBakeDaddy
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Droid phones are fine, it’s the Android operating system that sucks. I’ve had 3 of the top Android phones and ALL of them have to be rebooted almost daily. After playing around with my brother’s iPhone, I’m sold. It works seamlessly and hardly ever has to be rebooted due to the OS freezing. Also, the 4G networks are not what they seem. Most 4G networks are very limited in area and 4G drains the life out of your battery in half the time. Bottom line? Android is like a PC and iPhone is like a Mac. One works and one is a bug ridden POS.

    Report Post »  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:51pm

      I recommend HTC flagship models. I currently have the HTC 4G LTE for work, they just upgraded me from the original EVO, and an iPhone 4s as my personal phone that a friend talked me into.

      After having the 4s for a few months now, I regret the decision of buying that piece of crap. The 4s has really simply become a toy for games, I’m growing to really hate it. Just my opinion. To each their own, I’m probably just used to the Android interface.

      That’s the difference between the two though. With Android you MUST buy the right phone, which means you need to do some research. Not all Android phones are the same so you have to be an educated shopper. If you don’t want to do your homework, buy an iPhone.

      Report Post »  
    • StanO360
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 2:34pm

      I have a piece of junk Android phone, don’t like the phone, but Android? I can’t complain, I think I would get frustrated with an iPhone now, I would miss widgets and other aspects of Android.

      Report Post »  
    • LIBERTARIAN T38
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:58pm

      Dude, my Motorola Photon is flawless in a year of use, micro-HDMI output and all. The screen is so much bigger than an iphone and the Android OS is so easy to use…I don‘t know what you’re talking about. The only minor complaint is the camera could be a little better, but I have no reason to do anything but upgrade to the new Photon…

      Report Post » LIBERTARIAN T38  
  • daxbrady
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:39am

    iphone costs the carriers twice as much as the junk android phones. that is the one and only reason they try to get you in one of the throw away androids. cheaper for them!

    Report Post »  
    • Ed_Kel
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:44am

      Haha. This is simply not true. Some Androids are more expensive to subsidize than the iPhone. Either way, carriers make their money back with 2 year agreements. The reason why they are doing this, though speculated, is internal incentive to sell phones other than the iPhone. As a company, it’s smart to try to become recognized as a carrier with tons of great selections as opposed to the carrier with only one phone; the iPhone. That way, if deals between said company and Apple went south, they wouldn’t lose “primary income” so to speak.

      Report Post »  
    • dave88
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:49am

      You forgot to mention that there are at least 12 android phones that are far, far superior to the old technology used in iphone. All android phones are better than the old technology iphones but at least 12 are far, far superior. The iphone 5 will try to catch up to technology but most android phones are already more advanced than them and are available now.

      Report Post »  
    • jim40401
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:49am

      The iphone is the junk, if you have to join a service to put the music that you already own on your phone there is something wrong. As for the apps Android has just as many if not more as the iphone. It is faster more reliable and you get off a lot cheaper in operation. You can change to a long life battery without involving anyone else, iphone only through apple if they even offer it. Bigger screen and the ability to view all web pages, iphone woops don‘t have flash can’t view. Get your facts straight.

      Report Post »  
    • Ed_Kel
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:15pm

      @Jim

      Where to begin.. First off, out of roughly 1 million active apps, 52% are iOS. (source: PCWorld). I’m having trouble understanding what it is you mean by “join a service to put music you already own on a device”…? Are you talking about iTunes Match? A service that both Google and Amazon offer? First off, syncing music to your iPhone is free and not a “service”, but paying $25 a year to have iTunes match all of your music with updated masters and allowing for cloud stream is one hell of a deal if you compare it to other similar services. Android is faster and more reliable than the iPhone? hahahaha tell that to my brother’s HTC Evo that has to be reset once a week and charged every night, even with a long life battery. Speaking of which, Apple offers a replacement service for batteries but I have never heard of anyone needing it. The technology in iOS allows me to go 2+ days without a recharge, depending on usage. You can keep your big screen. Apple invested an obscene amount of time and money into determining screen size and found that the 3.7 inch display is of perfect size for single hand use. (source: 9to5mac) As for flash, Apple pioneered HTML5 which allows you to view source video directly from the browser and doesn’t require the heavier burden of hardware that flash does. Adobe themselves have even axed flash and adopted HTML5.

      http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

      What’s this about getting your facts straight? Step aside and let the ad

      Report Post »  
    • Ed_Kel
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:24pm

      Correction – HTML5 uses hardware to decode video which is less of a burden than flash decoding within a browser (software). Feel free to read the letter from Steve Jobs, “Thoughts on Flash”. You may also feel free to research Adobe’s future plans for mobile flash (or lack thereof).

      Report Post »  
    • tstickroe
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:46pm

      Thank you for showing us how uninformed and brainwashed the Apple zombie nation is. The truth is Apple drops a deuce in a box and sells it for whatever price they think most people will pay. Those of you brainwashed into thinking that Apple is the best will buy it without ever knowing what it is or what technology Apple has left out that you’ll get on most other brands that compete with that product.

      Report Post »  
    • Ed_Kel
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 2:03pm

      @TS

      So I write a comment citing sources and in some cases over explaining the fault in one’s argument and all you can do is call me uninformed and brainwashed? You back up your argument with a reference to feces and still manage to use the word “brainwashed” again? You claim that us “Apple zombies” think Apple products are the best without knowing “what is or what technology Apple has left out” without citing at least example? Even if you did cite an example you wouldn’t accept any reason why they may have made the decision. For example, LTE chips. You’re probably laughing at Apple for leaving out LTE chip thus far but if I were to tell you it was because current LTE radio chips were separate from the current GSM and CDMA chips and therefore needed twice as much battery power and hardware usage, you would just find a way to tell me that I‘m brainwashed and don’t know what I’m talking about. I bet you trolled people like me a couple years ago when Apple was being criticized for not allowing Adobe Flash on their devices; calling us brainwashed when we argued that even Adobe will one day axe the Flash player. See the pattern here?

      Dude, you are so far gone that even trolling has become an impossible task for you.

      Report Post »  
    • LIBERTARIAN T38
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:10pm

      ED_KEL, God bless you buddy, you are a true Mactivist. I love your exuberance. I don’t agree with you, but enjoy your iphone. To each his own. BTW, Apple buys $billions in chips from Samsung…

      http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-06/apple-ties-to-samsung-in-sharp-contrast-to-courtoom-clash

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/16/apple-a5-chip-made-by-samsung

      http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/05/17/sasmung-launches-dram-chips-early/

      Report Post » LIBERTARIAN T38  
  • meeester
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:00am

    It’s a conspiracy! Salespeople are steering customers to better phones! Those bastids! Oh sure, some people want small screens, reduced functionality, memory and battery life but Noooo! those money grubbing salesmen force phones on them that will make them happy.
    My daughter’s iphone revering friends have had a number of occasions to use her Samsung Galaxy S3. One of them said something like ‘I hate picking up your phone”. The point was how light, thin, big, bright & useful it was.
    It’s nice that we have choices. One choice I don’t hear much is that you could save money buying an iphone and buy a similar capability old model Android phone for about $50 with not contract even (like an HTC Thunderbolt; no, too advanced; 4g, bigger screen, removable battery and memory …hmmm not sure what old Android might be similar. Have to go back a few years to a 3G to get on same level)
    A tangential benefit is that seeing a nice shiny new iphone in a user’s hands gives me a clue as to the thinking of that user.

    Report Post »  
    • davidhampton
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:13am

      Not to mention the fact that iPhones still cannot access Flash files or Flash videos on websites…how archaic is that. Flash is integrated in some way on 75% of all websites on the Internet and all you fortunate iPhone users can’t see any of it. Too bad, heh, heh, heh.

      Report Post »  
    • daxbrady
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:41am

      economics is why they push the androids. they cost carriers around 300 while the iphone costs 600+ and they have to sell them both at same price. I would gladly use my iphone and try to sell you an android if i was having to subsidize your iphone.

      Report Post »  
    • omgnurse
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:51am

      I hate to get involved in an iPhone v. Droid debate, but it should be noted that Adobe recently stated that they will no longer provide flash support for any mobile devices. As for the comment of “A tangential benefit is that seeing a nice shiny new iphone in a user’s hands gives me a clue as to the thinking of that user.” I’m not sure what you mean by that. Would you care to elaborate as to whether this is a generalization of all iPhone users? Many of us choose an iPhone because it just works. The app store is enormous and we don’t have to stop and think “hmm, is this Droid X2 I just bought 6 months ago going to run this new app in a smooth and effective manner or is it going to be choppy and make me want to uninstall it and regret the 99 cents I paid for it?” I’ve owned many Android devices. I’ve even owned a Blackberry device (I don’t recommend them). Android devices and iPhones both have their pro’s and cons. In the end, aside from certain companies with poor implementation and customer support (cough, Motorola), it comes down to personal preference. If you, like many of the iPhone and Android fanboys, believe that the phone you use is a direct reflection of your intelligence then you are just as much of an idiot as you think the guy holding his shiny new iPhone is.

      Report Post »  
    • Classical Liberal
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:56am

      Google is also moving away from flash. Flash is not practical because of the drain on the battery so next android will not have integrated flash.

      Galaxy s3 is decent phone bogged down by Samsung touch wiz. The nexus is a superior phone running vanilla android. Really shows off what the OS Is capable of.

      Nothing wrong with a company trying to push products it makes more money on, the final choice lies with the consumer. If a customer decides they are happy with a phone that costs half as much as the iPhone than more power to them. Competition drives down price and forces company to innovate and that is good for us, the consumer.

      Report Post » Classical Liberal  
    • omgnurse
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:12pm

      @Classical Liberal:
      That‘s part of the reason I’ve been so turned off by Android phones. I have been very underwhelmed by the UI (and crapware) that each individual company installs over the stock Android OS. My Droid X2 has hardware that should blow my iPhone 4 away completely but it’s so bogged down by the garbage that comes with it that aside from the abysmal battery life, navigating the UI is a laggy, choppy, screen freezing nightmare.

      Report Post »  
  • Hrothgar
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:44am

    I have an iPhone and I will say they are quite durable and don’t take 10minutes to turn on like my Blackberry. Washed the iPhone 3 moths later it turns on and works like it was right out of the box. I’ve never been impressed with the Droid phones, since the app choices were limited and the OS felt clunky. However, they are catching up and may be an option when I get a new phone.

    Report Post » Hrothgar  
  • scrudge
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:32am

    Ah Yes…. nothing like a bad case of brain cancer.. using cell phones…. what the sellars don’t want you to know… go ahead and stick it up to your ear… SUCKER…

    Report Post »  
    • Aaronicus
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:52am

      Do you know anyone at all who has contracted brain cancer due to a cell phone? You realize that the computer screen you are looking at puts out more radiation that a cell phone? Let’s be clear as well. The radiation from a cell phone is non-ionizing radiation. Remember high school when they taught you the difference in alpha, beta and gamma radiation? There’s more background radiation going through your melon right now that when you use a cell phone. Please stop with the “cell phones cause brain cancer” crap. It’s embarrasing.

      Report Post »  
  • AllLost
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:20am

    It is all about the profit margin and pushing stock. There is no conspiracy. People want the iPhone. But you only make x profit when you sell the iPhone because Apple charges a premium to you as a re-seller because they can…their product is the leader. Now Samsung et al are trying to break that trend and offer incentives to re-sellers to sell their phones at y profit. y profit is bigger and better than x profit.

    The re-seller also has no problem moving iPhones off the shelves but the competition gathers dust by comparison. Stock costs money.

    I am not saying that there isn’t a nerd war for and against iPhone for a number of reasons. The tech community on a whole seems to scream against the big dog in the game at all times because it seems that they stifle innovation or new ideas.

    In the end it is the beautiful capitalist system at work creating competition and choice. Value for a premium whether that value is simply perceived or real rules the day.

    Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:29am

      They are only the leader because they used bogus patents to keep the industry behind the curve. Patenting a rectangular phone with rounded corners, then having apple insiders on the jury ruling for you, bunch of crooks.

      Report Post »  
    • Jester6
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:24am

      As a techno geek I am anti-Apple anything. That aside, this is all about business. Decades ago, when I worked as a sales associate at a computer store, the absolute best software package on the shelf was the one with the highest spiff attached. Capitalism works. Apple knows how to play the game as well as any other, so I am sure they will find a way to get product moving.

      Just remember, friends don’t let friends use Apple…

      Report Post »  
    • AllLost
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Ah Swampy, you will probably never see this, but you are correct in so many ways. America was the land of industrial and thought innovation because the founders implemented a very relaxed copyright/patent system that expired fairly early after a products development. Everyone stands on the one before them making things just that much better.

      Through the years our system has become draconian eliminating competition instead of fostering it. But like the tax code it will never be fixed with less than a revolution, and even with that after a couple of hundred years we will be back in the same place.

      Report Post »  
  • Quandary
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:08am

    I am amazed at how effective Apple’s marketing is. When the competition has phone that are technologically an entire generation ahead people still wear horse blinders and demand an outdated product.

    Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:32am

      50% of the nations are so damn stupid they will vote for a socialists foreign bastard that admits he hates America and doesn’t want to see us a a world leader or even have a chair at the table of world leaders. Is there any doubt why a crappy iphone would be loved by people with an iq that low.

      Report Post »  
    • Doova
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:53am

      I agree, it is widely known around the unbiased tech world that HIGH END Android phones are so much more capable than the Iphone. The customization capabilities are not even in the same category, the fact that you can play flash videos on Android not so on Iphone, expandable memory well beyond 64gb on Android, 4g LTE speeds on Android compared to 3g or at best HSPA speeds on ATT Iphones, ability to retrieve info from widgets on your home screen without having to enter an app makes life very easy, accomplishing tasks like adjusting screen brightness, wifi on/off , blue tooth on/off ….with 1 or 2 taps instead of having to go through several steps on iphone, free voice navigation with google maps, ohh and did i mention that when you compare the same apps on Android to Iphone apps you have so many more choices under preferences to have the app respond the way you want it to, you can have the phone recognize your location throughout the day and have it perform certain tasks automatically when in certain locations like adjust ringer volume, screen brightness, turn wifi/data on/off or even send a text to loved ones to let them know that you arrived at a certain location, I mean come on people, when something is better, its just better and Android is much more capable then the Iphone. The truth has no agenda.

      Report Post » Doova  
    • SacredHonor1776
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:27am

      For me, I’ve had Iphone for several generations… Why is this? Because I have a huge App collection… I like being able to transfer that to each generation of Iphone as I get them. These Apps range from games to very useful software are various types.

      I don’t want to have to rebuy Apps on new operating system… Also Droid apps tend to cost 2-3 times the applie equivalents…

      I also don‘t need ’extra technalogical power’ for what I use the phone for… I have a powerful laptop for my main computer needs (high end gaming model). I have my kindle for ebook needs, etc.

      Now, I don’t know if its chaned, but early on Droid was also not very standardized… Each Droid had its own list of Apps and not all Apps would work on all Droids, and there was no guerentee you could transfer all those files over to a new Droid if you upgraded, and if you could have them work.

      But the only thing I miss is Flash. Having access to Flash content would be nice.. But eh I have my PC for that.

      Report Post »  
  • Jeff f.
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:52am

    Maybe because Apple would rather sue their competition into submission over trivial things like rounded corners on buttons rather than compete in the market?

    Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:18am

      Actually, for those who don’t know the cell phone industry in the US is a perfect example of our fake capitalism. In Europe consumers purchase their phone and then choose the carrier they want. The carriers do not control the phone market. Because of this the more advanced and better featured phones are available in Europe. It also creates real competition between the carriers and the cell phone makers. So in contrary to the projected fantasy, we have neither a free nor competitive market for cell phones in the US. We have a few large companies who control Congress, the regulator and the market. Who looses…. the consumer. We pay too much for service and too much for the phone. All under the guise of a financing model tied to a 2 year lock in agreement. But do your own research…here some help http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10307726-94.htm

      Report Post »  
    • Liberty 4x4
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:45am

      JROOK… well move to Sweden and see how much your tax bill is. Swedes can’t afford any more than what they pay for phone service because they have nothing left after the tax man cometh. That includes all the Scandinavian countries. Canada is somewhat cheaper, but, more comparable to the U.S.

      Report Post » Liberty 4x4  
    • Honestybefore truth
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:47am

      I’m going e-mail Samsung and offer to square off all the corners on their phones to 45 degrees for a buck a pop 2-4 min. per phone I aught to make a mint. What do ya think?

      Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:42am

    For some reason, Apple is treated specially, even though their products are over-priced and, as BIGKOLA says, the memory is NOT expandable. I will pay for what is the best, not what Apple thinks is best for me. With Apple, you have to buy their memory configuration and they step up in price not consistent with memory prices. It costs about $100 to double the memory configuration on an Apple product, when, for $8, I can buy a micro-SD card and put it in a non-Apple tablet or phone, that has WAY more ports (USB, mini-HDMI, ect.) compared to NONE on Apple.
    AND, one of the biggest problems I have, is that I cannot run Adobe Flash on Apple products.
    NOW, tell which is better.
    BTW, this was typed in on an iPad2, 16GB Wireless tablet. I hated earlier versions of Android, so I waited for iPads to come down in price. I bought this one for $359, which is competitively priced compared to other tablets. I like it and it does what I need it to do. FaceTime is cool, Siri is very helpful on my daughter’s iPhone, plus “find my iPhone” is free, if you ever lose or misplace it.
    There are Pro‘s and Con’s to everything. You work around it.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • The Jewish Avenger
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:05am

      You’d be surprised how many Apple fans laugh over the use of Flash… Assuming the iCrap that they sell is bullet proof when in fact it is hacked as bad as the PC.

      My kid was GIVEN a track-phone without the minutes, To her,it works JUST LIKE AN iPOD as far as she is concerned. It was almost too funny. A piece of junk just relieved a $300.00 I want gadget.

      After 15 years with the same phone, I hear that data and text and phone is about $40.00 a month now, because of this, I am considering getting one of these new flashy phones but will NEVER get an apple prouct. So help me out

      Besides the DemoJobs Apple products, which is the best? The SD card features sounds interesting.
      And links that explain the differences? Thoroughly?

      Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • SunnyFLBeaches
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:32am

    I recently bought an iPhone and had to listen to at least 10 minutes of the guy gushing about another phone when I had stated I wanted an iPhone as soon as the sales guy walked up to me. I waited for him to run out of breath then restated I want an iPhone albeit very annoyed I had to listen to all that crap when I was in a hurry. I’ll go into any other store but that one next time, way too annoying.

    Report Post »  
  • mjgma
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:32am

    mmm,let me see why would other cell phone carriers try to steer you away from a phone they don’t carry? I guess that would only apply to non-corporate stores that sell from multiple carriers, but then again, why.. oh, this is tough, BECAUSE THEY DON”T SELL IT! Yeah, I’m T-Mobile and I want to send a customer who is thinking about an iPhone back to AT&T or Verizon. Oh and in knowing the features that make the iPhone popular I guess you can use that to show how the phones you do sell can do the same thing!

    How is this a story?

    Report Post » mjgma  
    • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:25am

      For those in the industry it is definitely a newsworthy story. It affects bottom lines for a lot of people including myself. Apple is feeling the Android pinch and getting desperate. They should have used the $ spent on court on some R&D to make a better product.

      Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:37am

      And you can bet companies that actually invented the chips, touchscreens, displays, memory, etc will think twice about giving any of their designs secrets to apple ever again. It‘s going to be hard for them engineers don’t like what apple’s graphic designers have done with the toys the engineers developed.

      Report Post »  
  • BigKola
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:13am

    I can tell you why cell companies want to sell other phone rather than the Iphone. It because the Iphone is no longer the best phone on the market when you compare the technology. For instance the Iphone 4s is only 3g, 3.5 inch screen, 1ghz processor, and no expandable memory. The Samsung Galaxy 3 is 4g, 4.8 inch screen, 1.5 ghz dual core processor, and a expandable memory. People want Iphone for two reasons 1) the want to seem hip or with the times and 2) they are sheepeople who can not make a decision on their own. Apple in the last three Iphone and the last 2 Ipad has not pushed the envolope of technology intavation. Also I will state m personal opinion that Iphone users are like Democrats, no matter what fact and figure you show them that there is something better out there, they still contin that they are right and proven facts are wrong.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:24am

      I was THIS close to getting a galaxy, but I was vain and only thought of the prestige of having an iPhone 4s. You’re correct, it’s crap. But apple can peddle a product like there’s no tomorrow.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • DrunkGOP_Hack
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:28am

      Yeah and every other cell phone looks like and works [kinda] like a iPhone.

      Go back to sleep.

      Report Post » DrunkGOP_Hack  
    • bpodlesnik
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:38am

      The iPhone 4s is a year old from release date, and probably another year from when they started working on it. At the time it came out it was the best phone, just like the iPhone 5 is going to be the best phone once it comes out. Everyone else is playing catch-up. And to say the 4s is crap, is well, a bunch of crap. Apple has the easiest and most usable interface out of any smartphone I have used.

      Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • Shifty6
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:42am

      Yeah because everytime someone gets a new phone or computer for that matter, you ALWAYS hear, ” Yeah, I really wanted the Samsung, Droid, HTC, or Acer, but they were out of them, I had to get this stupid iPhone”. They say ” yeah too bad, sorry”

      Report Post »  
    • JohnnyBrillcream
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:53am

      I got an Iphone when my Droid finally crapped out. Only reason, the size. Unfortunately Droids are the size of a small aircraft carrier. I just don’t get the cellphone makers that think bigger is always better, wouldn’t hurt them to make a few smaller models I can carry in my pocket. I liked the Driod much better, the Iphone is so limiting.

      Report Post »  
    • Patrick
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:24am

      Its a phone dope. Its about personal preference. I guess make a comment that iPhone users are like democrats.

      I need my phone to do very little. Phone calls, text messages, emails, tracking ability for my child, the ability to view 12 cameras around my property, RSA SecureId, take payments from people paying with credit cards, 3 different styles of remote access, play music while in the car, and just a few other things. The iPhone does them all fine. So I choose the iPhone and I am like a democrat? You are a JackA.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:41am

      You must be like a democrat, iphones have what a 2 hour battery life at best if you are actually using them, only a democrat would possibly think 2 hours was a good days work.

      Report Post »  
    • Patrick
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 11:48am

      The only phone that I owned that wouldn’t make it through my full day was a Droid incredible. But keep talking about battery life on the iPhone like you know what you are talking about. And while you are at it, inject some more politics into it. Dope.

      Report Post »  
  • kpeters59
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:08am

    Just guessing here: Liz has an iPhone, right?

    Phangirl much?

    Sheesh, the ‘Droid DOES do a lot more than any iPhone.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:25am

      I’m posting this on an iPhone. And believe me, you may think that flash player is a small difference between the android and iPhone, but you want that plug in.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • DrunkGOP_Hack
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:32am

      Goat head – try and keep up here.
      Flash has been eliminated.
      Adobe won’t be do any further development because it is BLOATware.

      Look it up! Perhaps, ask SIRI!

      Report Post » DrunkGOP_Hack  
    • kpeters59
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:44am

      I’m running Flash on my rooted D2 without too much incident.

      Try that on an iPhone…iPhone’s have never had Flash.

      Apple stuff does fine as long as you stay inside the box.

      Report Post »  
    • The Jewish Avenger
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:12am

      *crickets*

      …and there’s your answer…

      Iwish I could here a legit argument instead of FLASH iis on its wa yout! Here comes HTML5!

      sorry, weak argument, doesnt solve the now.

      Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:51am

    It’s no different than an auto dealership trying to up-sell you to a car with more profit margin. That’s life. They’re just trying to make a living.

    Report Post » DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:21am

    Hmmmm, I have Verizon Wireless service and when I went to buy my new smartphone they tried to talk me into purchasing the Droid Razr, which I already had a Droid X and was giving that to the husband…I told them to shove it and sell me the Samsung SIII…………….awesome phone btw……..do some research on the smart phones before you buy.

    Report Post »  
  • contkmi
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:18am

    What a stupid article. If a company doesn’t sell the Iphone and people want it, you steer them toward a product you do have that is comparable or better. And if Verizon is steering people away it’s because there is an added cost to the the phone for the company with no additional benefit.

    This article is absolutely lame. It‘s like doing an expose on health food stores that sell items that DON’T HAVE PRESERVATIVES! OH THE HORROR!!

    Report Post » contkmi  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:12am

    It’s weird, but sometimes I feel like the only one in my generation who is “unplugged” from cell phones, facebook, twitter..etc..Don’t need them, don’t care.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Lordcsmith
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 8:19am

      Well, considering that marine was yanked for his facebook posts…… and your phone tells facebook where you are.That may not be a bad thing.

      Report Post »  
    • Liberty 4x4
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 10:17am

      I’m the same way, but, eventually I caved and bought a cell phone since I am over 60 and single I felt it was a safety issue in case I broke down somewhere and had no one to help me. I have since had to use it three times to call AAA in which they came to help in under 30 min. I also have a friend who has an IPhone and he loves it. He was traveling from CA to OK pulling a large boat when the boat had a flat out in the middle nowhere on a Sunday. He got on his IPhone, was able to look up boat trailer companies open on Sunday in the area and found one within 10 miles from where he was, which in itself was a miracle. He called them and they were open and had his tire. He then got on the GPS function on his IPhone and got directions and had his tire back on within an hour and was on his way. I was impressed.

      Report Post » Liberty 4x4  
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