French people change cell phones on average every 2 years. When the time comes to renew their device, many wonder whether it is better to buy a smartphone with an internet package. But what is it really? Is this purchase really more economical? Is it better to opt for a bare smartphone or a phone subsidized by a mobile operator? Answer in this file..
Bare smartphone or subsidized mobile
With more than 20 million terminals sold each year, the smartphone remains one of the favorite products of the French. But the economic crisis forces consumers to moderate their spending. During this period of uncertainty, many recognize that they favor smart purchases and sometimes even give up buying things just for fun.
At first glance, the purchase of a smartphone linked to an internet package seems more financially attractive. We regularly see very attractive offers appearing offering very recent high-end phones at only 15 or 20 euros..
But be careful to do your calculations. What appeared to be a nice opportunity can quickly turn into a financial pit. The purchase price of the smartphone should not make you forget the monthly payments to be made every month during your commitment period.
Calculation method
Many consumers have changed their consumption habits in the telecommunications sector. The purchase of a bare smartphone (without internet package), which used to be a minority, now represents the bulk of sales. Buyers have understood that most smartphones come back cheaper when they are not subsidized by an operator..
To be sure of doing good business, you absolutely have to take out your calculator and do your accounts. First, carefully select the smartphone that interests you. 
Take a tour of websites and online stores. Then choose an internet package (excluding promotion, private sale and special offer) suited to your needs.
In our example, we took a mid-range smartphone at 550 euros and Free Mobile plan without commitment at 19.99 euros with telephone communication, sms, FreeWifi Secure and unlimited 4G internet. Over two years, the telephone plus the subscription will cost us 1,029.76 euros.
- Smartphone price: 550 €
- Cost of the subscription over two years: € 479.76
- Total cost: € 1,029.76
The same phone bought from an operator with a fixed price (commitment 24 months) will cost me 169 euros. But beware the first 12 months, I will have to pay € 59.99 for an 80 GB subscription. Then € 69.99 for the last 12 months. If I resume my previous calculation, I realize very quickly that the purchase of this smartphone will cost me much more
- Smartphone price: 169 €
- Cost of the 4G 80 GB package in the first year: € 719.88
- Cost of the 4G 80 GB package in the second year: € 839.88
- Total cost of the operation: € 1,728.76
The big winner is the smartphone without a plan
As you can see, buying a smartphone without a package is much more interesting. Obviously you will have to take out 550 euros at once. This is not within the reach of all budgets. However, some merchants and notably Free Mobile offer payments 4 times without fees .
You make a first payment corresponding to 1/4 of the price of the new smartphone. Then every month you pay off your loan without paying any interest. In the end, the total sum of the monthly payments is equal to the price of the new smartphone. This should allow you to take advantage of high-end products without burning all your savings.
Advantages of the bare smartphone
The purchase of a smartphone should not be limited only to its financial aspect. There are also other factors to consider such as obsolescence. As we know, technology evolves very quickly. 
Even if the phones have a theoretical operating life of 10 years, some services or applications no longer work on old systems.
It is therefore better to ensure that the coveted smartphone will benefit from regular updates. Unfortunately the devices sold by operators very often have a software overlay supposed to facilitate its handling. And bad news, the latter very often delays the release of updates not to mention the problems of slowness.
You may not know it, but the updates are developed by Google for versions of Android based on the stock interface, that is to say without any overlay. It is then up to manufacturers and operators to adapt this update to their own product. And that's where things get complicated.
Some operators do not necessarily play the game. This is why there is a very long time between the announcement of the new system and its final deployment. To be sure you have a phone that is always up to date, it is better to turn to a bare smartphone.