If you are a prepaid cell phone user, then you probably know that prepaid handsets tend to be quite unattractive and very utilitarian. The logic in the industry has been that those who go prepaid either are the frugal type not likely to spring for a nifty looking cell phone or simply can’t afford one. Plus, since prepaid users can be transient and discontinue use of the service at any time, expensive phones might not be as desirable.
That rationale is changing as is a lot of the previous accepted logic surrounding the prepaid market. Here is the evidence: the Motorola Stature i9. This is a nice looking flip phone that looks just like most cell phones, which I guess is a good thing. The name could use some work I think but it looks like a nice phone.
The Stature will cost $300 and will work with Boost Mobile on the iDEN network. Boost also was in the news recently when it unveiled its “Monthly Unlimited” plan, a prepaid plan that includes unlimited text, talk, data usage, and walkie-talkie, all for $50, which is very competitive with similar Verizon and Sprint plans.
Many people will probably be turned off by the price of this new phone. You get $100 off if you sign a two year contract, but that defeats the purpose. Other people will see this as a step in the right direction, because it’s at least a nicer handset than has been seen before for iDEN.
Via cnet.
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This new $50 plan is certainly making waves. Hopefully it’ll take off and customers will derive some great value from it, and that the business model is profitable/sustainable.
The i9 is pretty sleek, but compared to the smartphones out there now that are getting a lot of attention, when you get down to it, this phone is really pretty basic. Who will be the first prepaid offer to really have a nice suite of smartphone and email devices like blackberries…?!