# Math Tricks $199 iPhone Costs $560 By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-06-17 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/genius-pricing-for-new-iphone-when-199-is-more-than-399 References: [consumerist](http://consumerist.com/tag/iphone/?i=5014850&t=the-new-199-iphone-is-160-more-expensive-than-the-399-iphone-it-replaced-what) P.T. Barnum, who coined the term, “a sucker is born every minute,” is saluting AT & T bean counters right now. The Consumerist is reporting that the new $199 [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-2g) will actually cost more than the $399 old model. Over the life of a two year contract, there is the extra ten buck monthly fee and new fees for texting. AT & T even tricked [Apple's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-16e) CEO Steve Jobs, who promoted the new phone as being, “more affordable.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hidden Fees Trend:** The increasing use of hidden fees with the rise of technology products provides disruption opportunities for innovation in fee transparency and communication. - **Misleading Marketing Trend:** Instances of companies misleading their customers for profits show a need for disruptive innovation in marketing practices that prioritize customer honesty and communication. - **Contractual Obligations Trend:** Companies should innovate their contractual agreements to ensure transparency and that customers understand the fine print in their agreements to avoid issues with hidden fees and other unexpected charges. ### Where This Applies - **Technology Industry:** The technology industry should explore new ways to provide customers with transparency in pricing and fees during the purchasing process. - **Telecommunications Industry:** The telecommunications industry must address concerns related to hidden fees and misleading advertising that could impact consumer trust and loyalty. - **Consumer Advocacy Industry:** The consumer advocacy industry has an opportunity to provide valuable services to help educate customers on the importance of understanding contracts and fees associated with technology products and services. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Luxury Bespoke Smartphones Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-2g.md) - [Luxe Gold-Plated Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goldplated-iphone-15-pro.md) - [Flagship-Inspired Value Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-16e.md) - [Price-Locked Mobile Plans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experience-more-and-experience-beyond.md) - [Long-Term Wireless Plan Guarantees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longterm-wireless-plan.md) - [Electric Vehicle Component Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caviar-iphone-13-pro-electro.md) - [Economical New Years Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobileklinik.md) - [Smartphone Photography Editing Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adobe-photoshop-app-for-iphone.md) - [Auction-Inspired Technology Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-data-auction-commercial.md)