Apple introduced the $999 “iPhone X” during a special product unveiling event Tuesday, the most expensive smartphone the tech company has ever offered.
Hoards of people will likely line up to purchase the device, but there are a number of necessities that could be bought with such a considerable amount of money.
Literally tons of water
Even with the price of water apparently rising in recent years, $1,000 could get a person or family a lot of the liquid. Based on a family of four with 100 gallons for each person to use every day, the average water bill in the U.S. is roughly $40 per month, as of 2010, according to the nonprofit Circle of Blue. Other estimates show a similar figure (perhaps even less), which means a family of four could pay for their water bill for more than two years.
$1,000 would equal around 90,909 fluid ounces of water if purchased at Walmart’s rate of 1.1 cents per ounce. Calculating for the standard 16.9 ounce water bottle size, that would amount to around 5,379 packaged bottles of water.
Food for a family of four for a month
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that feeding a family of four an adequately healthy diet costs anywhere from $146 to $289 a week. $1,000 could yield nearly seven weeks of food while accounting for the lower approximation, and roughly 3 and a half weeks for the higher end average budget.
A king size bed
It’s hard to put a price tag on a suitable place to rest one’s head, but $1,000 could go a long way for comfort during an activity that takes up one-third of the average human life.
Mattresses, of course, vary in price, but futons seem to run for as low as $100. A more extravagant and “tricked out” mattress could easily be way over $1,000. There are, however, plenty of reasonable ones that cost between $200 to $800. Even accounting for a box spring, pillows, blankets, sheets and other bedding, it is not too difficult to stay below the $1,000 price range in which the iPhone X costs.
Matching winter jackets for a family
Everyone needs clothing, and nearly everyone needs a coat to stay warm. A winter jacket is essential. In fact, cold weather is 20 times as deadly as hot weather, according to a study published in 2015.
North Face jackets, for example, are priced as low as $40, with more high-quality models ranging from $100 to $250. A family of four could each have their own high-end North Face coat for the total price of $1,000. Several other popular, big name clothing companies also have similar price ranges.
A used car
There are apparently a number of used cars that cost less than a grand. Of course a would-be consumer would want to ensure that safety standards are up-to-date and sufficient, but, according to the U.S. News & World Report, there are at least 10 practical pre-owned cars that are priced at $1,000 or less.
Vacation to the Caribbean
A vacation could cost minimal money with a little imagination and a “can-do” attitude, but $1,000 is also definitely doable for a more legitimate vacation. The U.S. is filled with amazing state and national parks that, depending on location, may just be a full tank of gas away.
If flying is required to reach the destination, there are plenty of cheap flights. Certain international airliners have recently been offering a multitude of inexpensive air transport options, some at prices that haven’t been seen for years (or ever).
U.S. News & World Report says there are at least five vacation spots a globetrotter could go to on a budget, including the Cayman Islands, the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and Lisbon, Portugal. Even with lodging, dining, travel accommodations, and excursion and activity expenses, $1,000 is certainly enough money to go on a thoroughly relaxing, edifying (or, depending on personal preference, exhilarating) vacation.
Other cell phones
Many people these days say it’s necessary to have a cell phone. And they’re probably right.
They don’t need to use a now-archaic flip phone to stay below the hefty price tag of the iPhone X. The average selling price for an Android smartphone (excluding the wireless service contract) is $254, according to The Wall Street Journal, well below Apple’s average of $687. That means each member in a family of four could all have a smartphone that is used by 88 percent of the global market for a little more than $1,000. To get below the $1,000 mark and factor in the wireless service expenses, there are plenty of other smartphone options. (RELATED: Power And Billions Of Dollars: Apple’s Deal With Communist China, And Why They Did It)
So while many will consider getting the iPhone X, or the cheaper, but still relatively expensive, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, several others may want to take a step back and consider their options. After all, rigorous price-comparing is a fast-growing trend.
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