still do.

I honestly thought it was common knowledge that 'certain' cell phones are that expensive. If more people had to pay $800-$1000 for their phones upfront the upgrade gimmick wouldn't have much to stand on. Buying into these carriers' models for one's hardware needs is essentially paying a brand mortgage.

Not to mention this whole era of, let's call it e-gluttony, is soo bad for the environment:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/world/asia/china-electronic-waste-e-waste/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/detox/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-waste-end-up/

One of those articles estimates that american e-waste generation approaches something like 60lbs PER CAPITA in a year. Plus there is still substantial environmental damage from the exotic mineral extraction necessary to manufacture all these tech products in the first place.

Looking at it from the life cycle perspective is what made me really question all my consumption. I could see if it was NEEDED but so much is just greed/trendiness/boredom.