What I mean is that there are different needs and constraints on different users. Some homeless folks need a smartphone more than, say, retirees.
It also affects what would normally be considered "inferior goods" in economics. If someone is camp-in-the-bushes homeless, they can't really "save money" by having an old laptop instead. Being able to carry it with you is more of a requirement than a convenience.
California provides free phones and phone service to those who qualify through the California Lifeline program
That may say more about needs than affordability.
It's clearly affordable if it can be afforded. Otherwise nothing is affordable.
What I mean is that there are different needs and constraints on different users. Some homeless folks need a smartphone more than, say, retirees.
It also affects what would normally be considered "inferior goods" in economics. If someone is camp-in-the-bushes homeless, they can't really "save money" by having an old laptop instead. Being able to carry it with you is more of a requirement than a convenience.