My phone company gives (well, be honest - 'sells') me the latest iPhone once a year with no increase in the cost of my service plan. That's likely to change, since the tariffs are going to raise the price on the iPhone 16 Pro from $1950 to $6200 (those are NZ dollars - feel free to convert to the currency of your choice).

Boru

Maybe I should buy a new phone now before the shit really hits the fan. Take advantage of existing inventory.

I wouldn't expect existing inventory to be safe from price increases once the tariffs take effect.

(April 6, 2025 at 11:23 am)Jackalope Wrote: I wouldn't expect existing inventory to be safe from price increases once the tariffs take effect.

I think there would be a small window while prices are being adjusted. Tariffs will hit current inventory less than imports.

(I could get the same phone I have now for $100, or a 2024 version for $175. The 2025 model is listing at $300.)

There's talk going around that Trump's tariffs actually have an underlying plan, and that the chaos is actually a part of the plan, rather than an unintended side effect. Some are tying Trump's plan and ultimate endgame to an economist by the name of Stephen Miran. Below is an article discussing that connection.

The Wild Trump Theory Making the Rounds on Wall Street

And Miran's referenced paper: link

(April 6, 2025 at 12:13 pm)Angrboda Wrote: There's talk going around that Trump's tariffs actually have an underlying plan, and that the chaos is actually a part of the plan, rather than an unintended side effect.  Some are tying Trump's plan and ultimate endgame to an economist by the name of Stephen Miran.  Below is an article discussing that connection.

The Wild Trump Theory Making the Rounds on Wall Street

And Miran's referenced paper:  link

The article isn’t terrible convincing (I confess to having not read Miran’s paper, just skimmed it). The theory seems rooted in desperation: ‘No one could be THAT crazy, so there must be something else going on. Please, dear God, PLEASE let there be something else going on!!’

When you hear hoofbeats, etc.

Boru

Yeah, that theory sounds like a just-so story.

(April 6, 2025 at 12:56 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Yeah, that theory sounds like a just-so story.

Especially considering that when Trump talks, he promotes falsehoods and makes incoherent arguments.  That doesn't speak of any great intellect lurking beneath his public persona.

(April 6, 2025 at 1:00 pm)Alan V Wrote:

(April 6, 2025 at 12:56 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: Yeah, that theory sounds like a just-so story.

Especially considering that when Trump talks, he promotes falsehoods and makes incoherent arguments.  That doesn't speak of any great intellect lurking beneath his public persona.

Fair point. If he was as smart as he claims to be, he wouldn’t keep saying stupid stuff. He does, so he isn’t.

Boru

Smells like post hoc rationalisation