The 256GB iPhone 7 Plus, featuring a 5.5-inch display and available in five finishes, rings up at an eye-watering $969 retail.
Wondering why 256GB is a big deal? It’s the first time Apple is offering that much storage in an iPhone, and it might well equal or exceed the storage on your entire laptop.
True, you might qualify for an upgrade through your carrier, which would spare you from paying full retail for a shiny new handset.
But what if you intend to buy the phone outright?
What else could that money buy you?
1. MacBook Air 13-inch 128GB Laptop ($961.70)
It has less storage than the flashy new iPhone, but the 13-inch MacBook Air offers things the phone can’t: a larger display, a headphone port, a real keyboard and less strain on your eyes.
2. A Week in Paris ($847)
With smart planning, you could spend seven days in Paris at a three-star hotel.
You won’t have to gamble on ultra-cheap carriers: our search found flights on Air France and KLM.
3. 41 Packs of Quilted Northern Ultra Plush Toilet Paper ($23.55 each)
Practical shoppers might see this as a chance to stockpile for any potential emergencies.
We’re talking about 41 packs, each with 24 rolls per pack — that’s 984 rolls total, more rolls than dollars you’d hand over for the phone.
4. 8 Harry Potter Hardcover Box Sets in Collectible Trunks ($119 each)
Your neighborhood school librarian would absolutely freak out if these collector’s wizarding trunks showed up at the checkout desk.
5. 8 pairs of Air Jordans ($110 each)
Yeezy Boosts may be perpetually sold out, but you can still pick up a stock of Air Jordans. They’re timeless.
6. Whirlpool 4.5 cu. ft. High-Efficiency Front Load Washer With Steam ($899.10)
Check out this handsome appliance that will serve you for years. It’ll clean your clothes — don’t attempt to launder your phone, even if it’s rated water-resistant.
7. An Electric Scooter ($740 + $179 Shipping)
Instead of a phone, you could invest in a new way to get around with a street-legal electric scooter.
8. 9 Community College Credits ($105 each)
For in-county students, that’s nearly a whole semester’s worth of coursework.
9. Three EpiPens ($341.50 each)
No insurance for prescriptions? No worries. You could walk into a Walmart pharmacy and use your $900 to pay the full price for these brand-name, potentially life-saving injectors.
Your Turn: Are you going to buy a new iPhone 7?
