Because we are a captive audience? What I do is wait for a new model to come out and when TMobile drops the price of the model before that one to half price, that's when I trade in. I have a free trade in each year. So I'm always one model behind, but it really doesn't make a bit of difference to me.

Because we keep having to have the newest, latest, greatest device - they know they have us hook, line & sinker!

Consumer demand! Some need the lateest and greatest. Me, mine is old and functioning! So no new one for me!

Demand and the fact most are joined at the hip to their phone and not their computer.

I got an amazing phone Samsung J7 for $120 from MetroPCS.  It came with a rebate of $60 which I am still waiting for :(  I also pay $50 for two lines.

It you want a new I phone go for it ♥

Because they're thieving bastards. The cost to make these phones is ridiculously low. But we don't have much of a choice at this point.

Yeah ... why is that? Iphones are now at the $1K mark.

Because consumers are willing to pay whatever it costs to have the latest and greatest devices. They could ask $1500.00 for the latest I-phone, and there would be a line of people waiting to buy it.

I'm not an expert on this subject but do you think it has anything to do with less expensive service, ease in ability to change service provider and/or simply "because they can"?   

I'm always a upgrade or two from the latest and greatest. A phone is a phone is a phone... 

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, - the basic rule of economics - demand vs. supply.

Never thought about it, but great question Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, .  I'd say "Innovation"

Nina Hollander nailed this one!

Because they have been subsidized by the providers up until recently. Some still do.

Supply and demand....the demand is always seems to be driven by new options and vendors are smart anough to limit supply that drives up the price....half the folks that buy these phones use less than 30% of the upgrades etc...told to me by my rep....yet they want to hold the latest and greatest.....

High margin- Apple almost went out of business when Lisa, Mac could not compete with PC.  It can not compete on low end smart phone as their cost is too high.

In 2016 a friend worked at another manufacturer showed me his smart phone has iPhone 8 like stereo camera lens released already. It is a standard know how, people want status will pay any price for the name sake.  I see women realtors showed off their iWatch. Their Louis Vitton purse all made in China.  Americans are obsessed with new gadgets. They adore them.   

Good question, Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, !  Just like Nina said, I was looking into purchasing a new phone but it was too pricey so I'm going to hold off and wait until the price is reduced. My phone doesn't have to be the greatest and the latest techno device but it needs to suits my business!

And not only do they get expensive and too me it should be more user friendly...The carrier needs to pick  up better service..

It's called "marketing".

Actually cell phones are way less expensive than they used to be!

But, now they keep adding upgrades to keep prices higher.  But, the basic phones (esp if you compare apples to apples) are not that expensive.  The last one I got (in August) was only $240.

Also, prices were more hidden before (in the plans) and now are separated.

The quest for higher profits.

there are more computer companies and types of computers???

no one can be without a cell phone! I'd like to get the iphone that's $1,000.... I'm ready for a new one anyway.... 

people love showing off. :) 

I just read a lengthy article on this subject.  The thought behind that is that the phone has become a computer and a TV as well.  A

Because it takes money to make computers that small plusthe companies have succeeded in making us addicted where we have to have them and will pay their prices.

P.T. Barnum: "There's a sucker born every minute."

Surely market demand for sure. But I'll speculate there are more R&D innovations in smaller devices like smartphones than in pc(s) of all sizes with a shorter production life curve.

Because people always want the latest thing and are willing to pay any price for it. My hand-held computer, camera, text machine works just fine. It also has an added phone feature, which is nice

I carry insurance and they replace it when it breaks or doesn't function anymore.  It's cheaper than buying a new phone every however often.  :-)  I just got a brand new phone last week for FREE... my favorite price.

Because people are willing to pay it. Stop paying it, then watch prices come down

I don't know.

Because the cell phone companies have themselves convinced we can't live without them

Paul S. Henderson, CRS, REALTOR®, Consumers keep buying them. I heard this morning the new iPhone may cost up to $1,000. I read an article the other day about the new iPhone features. To me it's not worth the upgrade for the limited features.

As long as they can get that price they will. It is not worth the price however

Because they can

I just paid off my I Phone 6S and now they are pushing a I phone 8 that is better,  You have a great point but it is a rack.

Cell phones are higher in demand, the others are wanted, but not NEEDED.

WE are blinded by the marketing that is Apple.  On that note, do I get the Iphone 8 or the X.  Hmm

I wondered that too. My dad was talking about the most recent phone for $700! We bought our last laptop for like $250...I have not traded in my phone for several years. -Kasey

The amount of power in a phone is increasing dramatically and people are moving away from computers altogether. I think we'll see mobile devices capable of replacing computers completely within 10 years.

Lack of true competition.

I get it Paul, kind of pisses me off. Ok since we are at it, printers are a big scam. I bought a printer and you can't refill it at Costco, new ink cartridges $100 really. The printer is getting returned as soon as I run out of ink.

RIGHT!!!! Pfft...incredible

Corporate Greed. 

Now that is a very good question ... and I would guess the answer is:

Because we are willing to pay the piper!

I don't. I loved my iphone4 and cried when they told me it couldn't be fixed or replaced last year, so I have a 5

Because people willing to pay that much

Because people seem to think they take the place of a real computer... which they don't!!!!

Good question.