This is half true and I think it falls neatly along generational lines, with exceptions for "really good deals". Most iPhone owners became first time AT&T customers when the iPhone came out. When Android hit the market, people went to their carrier because before this more or less was how you had to do it.
More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.
> More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.
Interestingly enough I see that as the wrong way around.
Going to a carrier specific-store is also guaranteed to offered me inferior choice both in phones and subscriptions. What's in it for me as a customer?
My electronic store is giving me the phone and carrier which provides me with the best deal. I have no reason to give a carrier, a transparent transport network, any sort of loyalty.
I don't have a "my carrier" which I care about. I do however have a "my phone", and I care about that deeply.
More people are just buying whatever phone and sticking a simcard in it but there is still a huge number who live by what their carrier gives them.