{
  "id": 8330360,
  "title": "Who benefits when smartphones get cheaper?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/who-benefits-when-smartphones-get-cheaper",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/09/19/who-benefits-when-smartphones-get-cheaper"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "From Liew Li Xuan, a youth advocate and FMT reader, the challenge faced by physical retailers in Malaysia when it comes to smartphones is a growing concern. While these retailers provide a place for customers to see, try and receive support for a phone before purchasing, they also bear the burden of high operational costs like store rent, staff salaries, and customer service. These costs often make it difficult for physical retailers to match the lower prices offered by online sellers. However, online competition can also be valuable as it allows consumers to compare prices and find better deals.\n\nYet, this online rivalry isn't without its complexities. Online platforms may impose commissions, fees and contractual terms that impact seller competitiveness and price offerings. This has led to the Malaysia Competition Commission examining marketplace commissions, contractual terms, and pricing transparency issues. The focus should not be on protecting physical retailers from online competition, but rather ensuring that businesses competing through different channels are not disadvantaged by unfair practices.\n\nGovernment support for making smartphones more affordable should be consumer-led and brand-neutral, allowing Malaysians to choose the phone and retailer that best fits their needs. Smartphones are no longer just a luxury for many Malaysians, but a necessity for education, work, online banking, and access to public services. Policymakers need to ensure that both physical retailers and online platforms can compete fairly in this evolving market. This means promoting genuine competition by allowing businesses to offer lower prices when they are more efficient, while addressing practices that might disadvantage competitors. The ultimate goal is to create a market that benefits consumers through competitive pricing, varied choices, and reliable service.",
  "summary": "Smartphones are now essential and government support can help lower-income Malaysians get connected. But such support should be consumer-led and brand-neutral.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Who benefits when smartphones get cheaper?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/who-benefits-when-smartphones-get-cheaper-8334469",
        "published": "2026-09-18T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}