this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2026
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130
Should you still buy your next smartphone — or subscribe to it instead? Apple, Samsung … are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive. (techcrunch.com)
submitted 2 days ago by eicker@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] RoddyStiggs@lemmy.blahaj.zone 31 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You should buy it. Every time. Fuck subscriptions.

[–] kuiskaaja@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

some subscriptions are fine though, like email or a vpn.

you could argue there should be no need for a vpn but... it is what it is

[–] Auli@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Lots of vpns claims are fake but whatever.

[–] kuiskaaja@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

yeah i just wanna hide my ip from random websites, they don't need to know my ip

i couldn't care less about what vpn providers say, i don't even know what my vpn provider (proton) "promises".

[–] GaumBeist@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 days ago

Services as subscriptions: fine. They are ongoing agreements that require an unspecifiable amount of labor, it makes sense to pay as you go.

Subscription goods? Fuck that. If I am in posession of it and responsible for maintaining it in a specific state of operation and quality, I basically own it anyway.

Charging me monthly for a pocket-sized computer with the added stipulations that the seller gets to dictate what I'm allowed to do with it, probably installs spyware on it (on top of the OEM and OS spyware), and if I break it (or otherwise violate the terms of use) I have to buy it anyway and they still get to keep it? They've basically reinvented a mix of payphones and library PCs, but more invasive and more expensive