The costs and value of smartphones are a somewhat misunderstood subject in the eyes of most consumers. For the vast majority of consumers looking for a handset such as the iPhone, Android, or any other type of smartphone, signing a long-term contract with a cellular carrier is the norm, and can sometimes be the best deal. When you sign a two year contract with a major carrier you will get a pretty deep discount up front for an otherwise expensive handset such as the iPhone. Because of this system, there is a diminished handset value in the minds of most people, and you can possibly become trapped in an endless cycle of upgrades and contract extensions. In this article we will attempt to shed some new light on understanding the actual value of your phone, as well as why the contract system may not always be the best deal, and could be a thing of the past sooner than you think. [Read more...]