OK. First question first. Why do you need an expensive phone anyway? After all you just need to make n receive phone calls. You are not a busy executive or CEO who always needs to be connected to his inbox. So yeah, get a $50 phone and be happy. You can waste as much as you want when you start earning.
But again expensive mobile phones are still status symbol in India.
oh well then tell me dont u really crave for a big or a small LCD TV (unless u already own one)? but u can get a normal TV for a much smaller amount. you have to see television or some movie thats it.
u like to wear branded clothes??? u like park avenue, zodiac, arrows, lee, etc etc.....but why do u buy them when u can go to any roadside shop or a semi-sized shop to get some really cheap clothes...at the end of the day, all u need is something to cover urself.
i dont feel mobiles are like a status symbol. although if u see a CEO of a company walking around with Nokia 3310, then its a matter of status symbol.
what i believe is that the consumer in india has become more demanding and is ready to pay for it. thats why u see more expensive gadgets coming to india.