Are you saying this Virgin mobile plan is representative of what the average low end Android buyer gets? And can't you get an unlocked iphone and put it on the same sorts of plans?
I would guess the median low end Android buyer signs up with Verizon and gets the same data plan choices they would if they have an iphone.
Ah, I see where our disagreement is. I agree with you that the current low-end of Android is what you describe, and reading one node higher in the thread, I understand what you're arguing, that the iPhone 3GS is now competing directly with current "free with contract" Android phones. I lost track of that at some point.
I guess to me, the way bundling works, referring to the $1500 cost of ownership as the low-end as opposed to the $1700 cost of ownership seems wrong. That's what the carrier's want you to think, of course, that the only choice is between this "free" phone with the expensive plan and this "high-end" phone with the expensive plan.
But the real low-end is to get away from the expensive plan. And now that there are Android phones that are $250 off contract that are actually quite good, I think this true low-end becomes a viable option for a lot of people, esp. that portion of the market that hasn't yet converted to smart phones.
I would guess the median low end Android buyer signs up with Verizon and gets the same data plan choices they would if they have an iphone.