King of Heroes
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2008
- Messages
- 2,006
Assuming Google does ditch the carriers (we don't know this for a fact), it would fit with the general trend. Carriers have all dumped phone subsidies and 2-year contracts, some phone manufacturers already have their own financing options when you buy direct from them (e.g. Motorola and Apple), and Apple has already announced their own iPhone yearly upgrade program when you buy direct from them. Manufacturers dumping carriers and exclusively selling direct to consumers would be a logical next step, assuming Universal LTE becomes a standard on all phones sold.
However, while it may be possible I don't think its a good idea yet. Only Apple is in a position to really do that since they have multi-year financing and a yearly upgrade program, which are two big reasons why people buy from carriers (that, and guaranteed compatibility with that carrier's network). No Android manufacturer has both, and no manufacturer can't yet guarantee compatibility with all networks at launch (e.g. Verizon not activating Nexus 6 devices even though it supports their network).
However, while it may be possible I don't think its a good idea yet. Only Apple is in a position to really do that since they have multi-year financing and a yearly upgrade program, which are two big reasons why people buy from carriers (that, and guaranteed compatibility with that carrier's network). No Android manufacturer has both, and no manufacturer can't yet guarantee compatibility with all networks at launch (e.g. Verizon not activating Nexus 6 devices even though it supports their network).