But you first compared to a 4 function pocket calculator, then moved the goalpost to compare against a cell phone.
im not able to compare phones but it looks like apple has SE for $399, why not compare against that?
The Drive: Tesla's $16000 Quote for a $700 Fix Is Why Right to Repair Matters
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im not able to compare phones but it looks like apple has SE for $399, why not compare against that?
A calculator is an electronic device built with computer chips and manufactured on automated assembly lines. Remarkably similar to phones and how THEY are produced. Sure a phone has more sophisticated displays and functions, but it's still quite similar. My point was that if it costs $5 to make a calculator, it doesn't cost much more to make a phone. $50 seems right. And the difference between the $399 phone and a $1000 one is 90% marketing hype and maybe 10% more features and functions. What's the difference between a $50 Anne Klein bag at Walmart vs. a $1000 Gucci bag at Macy's? They both carry your stuff. Just marketing and perceived prestige.
Were you a journalist? You write very well...
Correct but you didn't replace the engine and transmission only its fuel tank for 16 grand.
I think you are missing the vast difference in design from a chip that can do a few functions and a chip that does vastly more. Die area is one cost, the fine lithography is another. R&D is a real bear, so is test cost—the more a chip does, the more testing it needs to ensure it works and does not result in a wasted encapsulated part, or worse, complete assembly. I won’t say it is an exponential curve but it sure can seem like it.
A calculator works at low frequency but a cell phone has high frequency design elements and a host of other IC’s to deal with generating RF and signal modulation and demodulation. Ever take apart a modern cellphone?
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Every time I think about a Tesla, and try to forgive their practical shortfalls as far as use as an automobile vs a gasoline or ICE car.The Drive: Tesla's $16000 Quote for a $700 Fix Is Why Right to Repair Matters.
Tesla’s $16,000 Quote for a $700 Fix Is Why Right to Repair Matters
This is what people are fighting for.www.thedrive.com
Tesla dealers won't sell the parts, or they don't have the parts to sell you ? And don't have a system yet where dealers can stock commonly needed parts or order them from some factory spares inventory and then sell over the counter ?
Big difference between won't and can't. If won't, then people need to pressure Tesla to change their corporate policy.
If can't, then people need to be patient and realize that Tesla hasn't had 100 years to have a parts supply for retail sale system in place and running smoothly.
That plasticky barebones phone with "old" tech is dirt cheap to manufacture, no surprise. The latest and greatest is more expensive without question.
I think the issue was that the Tesla repair included them keeping the old battery pack. Normally the owner of the vehicle is allowed to retain the "broken part".
What barebones? It makes phone calls. It texts. It gets on the internet. It takes great pictures. It has beautiful display quality. What more is a $1000 phone going to do but boost your ego when you pull it out of your pocket?
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Every time I think about a Tesla, and try to forgive their practical shortfalls as far as use as an automobile vs a gasoline orThe Drive: Tesla's $16000 Quote for a $700 Fix Is Why Right to Repair Matters.
Tesla’s $16,000 Quote for a $700 Fix Is Why Right to Repair Matters
This is what people are fighting for.
Break faster.
90% of the members here could make that repair. It's stuff like this that makes me cringe. Insurance, wasted batteries in Landfills, and rich billionaires going into space and the average "common" smart mechanic isn't allowed to fix this?? Ridiculous.
I've never broken a phone, but then, haven't dropped one either. And if it does, so what? It's just $120, not $1000.
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That is what I was trying to say... And $100 or so seems to be a sweet spot on what to pay for a phone that lasts. Pay less not more.
Smaller screens are stronger.
but the average Apple owners will go to a 3rd party repair place if Apple charge them more than buying a new one, and the 3rd party place can't get parts.
You have no idea how much things costs.
Say the $1000 phone, it cost about $500-600 (typical, margin aren't as high as you would imagine). That $500-600 has about $80-100 worth of screen, $60 worth of flash memory, $40 worth of modem, $50 worth of CPU, $20 worth of RAM, $40 worth of battery, $80 worth of other parts, $120 worth of installation labor.
Your made in China saving is mainly in the $120 worth of installation labor that if you move to US probably becomes $200 (test equipment is still there but human cost is cheaper), so your $1000 phone is $1400. Where is your $50 made in China phone? Even Chinese won't get a $50 made in Vietnam phone because it won't be that cheap.
Let's put it this way without saying anything that is covered by NDA. Apple did a lot of stupid stuff because it is a fashion design that translate into engineering. So it cost a lot of money to cover the fashion designers' inexperience with engineering (i.e. custom size capacity to fit inside a thin case), epoxy glued antenna into aluminum case that sit flush, tiny PCB to maximize battery capacity, using all sorts of tricks to avoid interference between parts because it is so thin it won't fit an EMI shield between parts, etc.
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What's the difference between a camper trailer and a tent? Why is a camper trailer worth 20x more than a $100 tent?
You're comparing apples to oranges. The trailer has all the amenities of a house. Power, water, stove, fridge, sink, bathroom, TV, heat and a/c in most cases. The tent? That's like the storage shed out back.
And you're saying Apple BUYS the phone from some production facility in China. I'm assuming they have their own factory there that produces it. Much different cost structure.