![](https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/a07f1f47-9cf6-4d29-8c11-4f03aa52d62b.png)
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/ca9b0de3-205f-47ca-a620-5fbddb680695.png)
I have not bought a phone through my carrier for probably around 10 years. I always buy something factory unlocked, often a LatAm model, and drop my SIM in. GSM was designed with that kind of freedom in mind.
It doesn’t surprise me how much hardware costs are tied to (and inflated by) subscription plans in the US, though.
It’s almost like all these CEOs and MBAs are just shooting in the dark because of the $$$ in their eyes, but the fact remains that the market is no longer responding favorably to their absolute need for year-over-year growth.