BARGAIN BUYS

Smartphone price war has something for everyone

FULL-FEATURED smart phones at half the price, multiple cameras for less than $1000, and fierce 5G rivalry at a discount: The battle for smartphone buyers in 2020 has become a price war, with bargains from almost every brand from those looking to upgrade.

Big brands are cutting prices and introducing recession- friendly models to appeal to cash- conscious consumers, many of whom have never relied on their devices more. And industry analysts say the changes are likely to impact the type of smartphones we buy for years, forcing down the price of some and ensuring others do not soar as high as expected.

Telsy te principal analystFo ad F ad ag hi said the average price of smartphones in Australia fell to just $692 in the first half of 2020, down 3 per cent on last year. He said prices were likely to drop further over the next 18 months.

“We’ ve seen a growing movement to buying more affordable handsets ,” Mr F ad ag hi said.

“Smart phones like the cheaperiPh one SE will continue to sell well in Australia, and the most expensive Apple products will be aspirational but might not be their best-selling devices. We’re seeing people gravitating towards the lessthan-maxed-out smartphones.”

He said midrange phones, under $1000, were already winning over more buyers

beforethepandemic, but the trend was now goingmainstream.

Kantar strategic insight director Tamsin Timpson said almost 40 percent of phones sold in Australia between June and September cost between $300 and $800, with sales soaring 31 percent.

As a result, consumers are now seeing the launch of new handsets that do more for less money.

Apple recently unveiled four iPhone 12 devices ranging from $1199 to $2369, while keeping the budget-friendly iPhone SE and 2018 release iPhone XR on the market for those looking to savetheirfunds.

TechgiantGoogle also released two versions of its

Pixel 4a budget model in Australia this year, starting at $599 and rising to $799 for 5G. And Samsung added a new category of affordable smartphone, the Galaxy S 20 FE, or Fan Edition, that undercuts its Galaxy S20 Ultra by $1000,atapriceof$999.

Sydney executive Brittany Evans ,23, said when she decided top re-order anewiPh one 12, she compared all four models and their prices .“I decided togo with theregulariPh one 12 because it’ s probably the one at the best price, and it’ s available the quickest ,” she said.