Cheaper phone with ads

scojer

scojer

[H]F Junkie
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Jun 13, 2009
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Would you buy a cheaper version of a phone with ads on the lockscreen?

I might, if, after they made the difference up from me in ad revenue, the ads go away.

However, if they're permanently there, then, no thank you.

The Nokia 6 showed up in China in January, but now it's available in the US on Amazon.com. The low-end phone has a retail price of $229, but if you want to subject yourself to Amazon's lock screen ads and offers, you can get the subsidized version for $179.99, as spotted by Phandroid.
 
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I don't think I would, but I'd at least consider it with some caveats.

  • I'd need to be assured that those ads are using my data (at least not at random) or interfering with my performance.
  • I'd also be really wary about accidental clicks or activation of those ads. Mobile ads are already a horrible, horrible mess of accidental clicks, screen hijacking, and awful performance. The last thing I want is more of that. The ads would need to be almost like the lock screen on the Kindle.

If I needed some sort of in-between phone (like I need right this moment), I'd probably consider something along these lines. Nothing long-term, but a strong temporary solution.
 
Relevant video I watched today:



But you can (apparently from what I've read) easily disable the lock screen ads on these phones with a simple ADB command. No root required either.

But even if it required root, I would but one and disable the ads myself anyways. Or if you buy the phone and change your mind about the ads, at least they give you the option to pay to remove the ads later on if you want.

One thing I'd be concerned about though is if these phones receive the same software updates at the same time and through the same channels as their regular unlocked equivalents (with no ads). I would assume so, but could see them not too if they have to go through Amazon to integrate the ads into the lock screen.
 
scojer said:
Would you buy a cheaper version of a phone with ads on the lockscreen?.
Click to expand...

Depends on how much I'm saving. If it's a $599 phone for $299 and the ads are inoffensive and relatively out of the way, then maybe. If it's a $229 phone for $179, then no. There are already too many ads invading almost every waking moment of my life to willingly allow more, unless doing so provides significant benefit to me.

I might, if, after they made the difference up from me in ad revenue, the ads go away
Click to expand...

Not a chance. If you agree to viewing ads, then they're not going to give up that revenue. Even if they should.
 
skriefal said:
Not a chance. If you agree to viewing ads, then they're not going to give up that revenue. Even if they should.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know there isn't a snowball chance in hell that that would be the case.

I wonder how easy it is to flash the phone, to get rid of the ads.
 
As soon as these kinds of ad-enabled devices are released, there's literally a horde of devs all over them in various degrees and soon enough they're ad-disabled so, I don't really see a point as long as someone is willing to do what's necessary to disable the ads when the solution is presented. Sure you save a few bucks but, really, if they're offering such devices at such massive discounts (sometimes, other times not so much) then it's obvious they're going to rake in big bucks from those ads on the countless devices where the users don't give a shit about the ads and just wanted to save a few bucks.
 
Heh, it's a cheaper phone. None of these are flagships. They are for people who just need a cheap smart phone. If you want to stay legit, you can pay $50 any time to disable the ads through Amazon.
 
scojer said:
Yeah, I know there isn't a snowball chance in hell that that would be the case.

I wonder how easy it is to flash the phone, to get rid of the ads.
Click to expand...

...

T4rd said:
But you can (apparently from what I've read) easily disable the lock screen ads on these phones with a simple ADB command. No root required either.
Click to expand...
 
I bought a BLU phone for $60, which has Amazon ads. I used it as a cheap burner phone for international travel. Worked fine. I mean, a $60 smart phone? Sure, why not.
 
I wouldn't.

I personally wouldn't have gone for that phone anyway (I only buy flagships), $50 seems too little to subject yourself to ads.

If it was closer to $200 I might think about it, but for $50? I am not penny pinching to the point where I'd rather take ads instead. Hell I probably already spent more than that on apps just to get rid of ads.

Ads on apps, I can understand. Ads in the phone itself is something I don't tolerate on any level.
 
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