Do You Really Own Your Smartphone?

When you purchase a smartphone, do you truly own it, or are you just leasing it? The answer depends on the brand, the terms of the purchase, and the nature of software ownership. Let's explore the complexities surrounding smartphone ownership and the practices of smartphone manufacturers.

Leasing vs. Owning: Are You Really the Owner?

When you buy a smartphone from Apple, you are essentially leasing the device and its associated services. With Apple, you pay a monthly fee for the phone and AppleCare, and you won't own the phone until the full value has been paid. This model creates a grey area in the concept of smartphone ownership, as you are not technically the owner until the final payment is made. There's a popular term for this: renting the phone.

Google operates in a different manner. When you purchase an Android device, you are not buying the software outright; rather, you are licensing its use. While the Android operating system is open source, the actual control over the software often rests with Google. This can create an impression that you do not fully own the device, especially if you are financing it through a third-party carrier.

The Right to Repair

The concept of owning a smartphone has been complicated by the practices of major smartphone manufacturers. Apple and Samsung, in particular, have been known for their strict limitations on third-party repairs. This means that if your phone requires repair, you are essentially renting it because you cannot fix it yourself. This has led to calls for a Right to Repair campaign, which advocates for the right of consumers to repair their own devices.

The recent trend of iPhone and Samsung not signing old devices for repair has exacerbated this issue. iPhones, for instance, are no longer signed for repair by Apple, rendering them essentially unusable. Furthermore, these companies often discourage downgrading of their software, further limiting the user's ability to customize or repair their device.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max and My Experience

From my personal experience with the iPhone 11 Pro Max, it is clear that I am not the true owner of the device. My previous phone, the iPhone 6s Plus, was nearing the end of its life, supported by iOS 14. When I switched to the newer model, I experienced a significant change in hardware and capabilities. The A13 Bionic processor, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage were major upgrades over the A9 chip, 2GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage in my older model. The battery capacity also showed a noticeable improvement, from 2750 milliamp hours to 3969 milliamp hours.

One of my favorite features of the iPhone 11 Pro Max is its wireless charging capability. This is something I had missed after my previous phone, the Samsung Galaxy S6. Wireless charging is convenient, but its effectiveness is somewhat limited due to current technology. The speed of wireless charging is still much slower than wired charging, despite some advanced models supporting 10 watts. The ultimate goal is to achieve wireless charging that can charge a smartphone as fast as wired charging, with a maximum of 100 watts.

Conclusion

The concept of smartphone ownership is evolving, and it often feels like renting rather than owning. This is particularly true for major brands like Apple and Samsung. While owning a smartphone involves more than just a device, it also includes the software and network support, which can be heavily controlled by the manufacturer. To truly own your smartphone, it is essential to support Right to Repair initiatives and push for more freedom in how and where you can repair your devices.