I look at it this way... I use to buy expensive cameras and gear ... basically the same thing, they only lasted 3 years or so, till something went wrong with them. Now I justify the cost for getting a better cell phone, instead of buying a 600 dollar camera, basically, a new cell phone is pretty much on par with a medium POS camera these days, best part is, I always have it in my pocket and charged, ready to go.
If one is going to complain about dead pixels or a slight scratch on the screen from keys in your pocket, then I say, you probably shouldn't be buying 800 dollar phones. Though, is an S8 considered a flagship phone still? Hmmm, I bought mine 5 months ago, half off on cricket for 300 bucks. So, dunno, I always seem to buy the closeouts on the one cycle lower. Unless samsung or pixel came out with something that was super great with the features that I'm really interested in... I still can't seem to justify spending the extra cash for say...an S9.
I think one just has to consider how much upgrades of the features one wants from a cell phone. For me, camera is kinda high up there. And since I've owned a few s6's, I really enjoy wireless charging, so that to me, is a deal breaker, a high resolution screen is also high on my list. Sadly, the rest of the functions like the latest snapdragon chip or 128 gigs of storage aren't all that important for me, as I don't stream crap or listen to music. I do read the news / emails / etc...etc... with my phone.
If a cheaper phone had a HIGH end camera that beat pixel or samsungs flavors and had wireless charging with a high res screen, heck! I'm all for it! Even the oneplus seems expensive to me, and that is supposed to be a lower end phone that is supposed to be priced lower. However even that phone at 600'ish doesn't offer wireless charging... no go for me. Another feature I'm interested in ... is under the glass front fingerprint reader. I'm even considering having one of those bluetooth rings that will unlock the device when it's next to it. For some reason, I don't like the fingerprint reader on the back. Just me probably.
I think one needs to make a list of what is super important to them.... Then go shopping for phones that have the features you really care about... If all you do is surf the web, talk and text and don't care about anything else, maybe a cheaper phone is all you need and can fit the bill nicely. I would caution anyone trying to justify an 800 dollar phone while working for minimum wage job. Everyone has to make their own choices in life, but I never purchased high end crap, when living on a kool aid budget.
If one is going to complain about dead pixels or a slight scratch on the screen from keys in your pocket, then I say, you probably shouldn't be buying 800 dollar phones. Though, is an S8 considered a flagship phone still? Hmmm, I bought mine 5 months ago, half off on cricket for 300 bucks. So, dunno, I always seem to buy the closeouts on the one cycle lower. Unless samsung or pixel came out with something that was super great with the features that I'm really interested in... I still can't seem to justify spending the extra cash for say...an S9.
I think one just has to consider how much upgrades of the features one wants from a cell phone. For me, camera is kinda high up there. And since I've owned a few s6's, I really enjoy wireless charging, so that to me, is a deal breaker, a high resolution screen is also high on my list. Sadly, the rest of the functions like the latest snapdragon chip or 128 gigs of storage aren't all that important for me, as I don't stream crap or listen to music. I do read the news / emails / etc...etc... with my phone.
If a cheaper phone had a HIGH end camera that beat pixel or samsungs flavors and had wireless charging with a high res screen, heck! I'm all for it! Even the oneplus seems expensive to me, and that is supposed to be a lower end phone that is supposed to be priced lower. However even that phone at 600'ish doesn't offer wireless charging... no go for me. Another feature I'm interested in ... is under the glass front fingerprint reader. I'm even considering having one of those bluetooth rings that will unlock the device when it's next to it. For some reason, I don't like the fingerprint reader on the back. Just me probably.
I think one needs to make a list of what is super important to them.... Then go shopping for phones that have the features you really care about... If all you do is surf the web, talk and text and don't care about anything else, maybe a cheaper phone is all you need and can fit the bill nicely. I would caution anyone trying to justify an 800 dollar phone while working for minimum wage job. Everyone has to make their own choices in life, but I never purchased high end crap, when living on a kool aid budget.