In 2007, when Apple unveiled the iPhone, this recent college graduate was thrilled: The future had arrived and I was going to be a part of it. Unfortunately, once I saw the price, $702, the thrill of the future turned to the agony of my economic reality. While more affordable smartphones are available today, a costly new trial between Apple and Samsung may lead to an equally financially burdensome situation for many consumers stuck in the middle.Locked into my current cellphone plan after graduating, the iPhone was not a realistic option. It was not until many years later with the rise of the Android operating system and phones produced by companies like Samsung and HTC – available to a more diverse consumer base at stores like 7/11 and CVS without a contract – that I was able to truly enjoy the mobile Web.
http://www.salon.com/2014/04/20/is_apple_trying_to_torpedo_the_market_for_affordable_smartphones/