Tim Cook does not seem to know how much an iPhone costs

Apple CEO Tim Cook defended the company's iPhones award at an appearance on Tuesday Hello America, saying that while sticker prices may seem expensive, many consumers pay a more reasonable price because of carrier subsidies.

"Even if the phone is priced above $ 1,000, most people pay about $ 30 a month, so it costs about $ 1 a day."

According to Cook, "most" iPhone owners pay about $ 30 a month for their devices as part of a wireless plan, even if the phone sells for a maximum of $ 1,000. But judging by

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website, that maths do not check.

Apple's upgrade program promises an iPhone XS starting at $ 49.91 a month and an iPhone XS Max starting at $ 54.08 a month. The most expensive iPhone XS Max, with 512GB of storage and $ 1,449, will cost you $ 68.66 per month as part of Apple's program.

Apple did not immediately respond to MarketWatch's request for comment or clarification.

Do not miss: Why would anyone buy the iPhone XS?

The Apple iPhone Upgrade Program is a 24-month program that allows users to switch each year to a new iPhone and AppleCare insurance. Apple's iPhone Payments program will give you a 512 GB iPhone XS Max for $ 60.37 a month, even if it does not include an annual upgrade or AppleCare. AT & T Inc.

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The remittance program, meanwhile, offers you an upgrade of 12 months or 24 months with an "eligible exchange", but not AppleCare, for a price of $ 60.38. Verizon

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has a similar price option.

Even Apple's iPhone XR, which starts at $ 749 if you buy it directly, costs $ 37.11 per month if you buy it as part of Apple's upgrade program. If you want to pay only $ 30 or less a month for a phone through the Apple program, you can find phones in the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 families that qualify. The cheapest iPhone 8 Plus device, for example, costs $ 29.12 per month from the Apple program, but this phone only costs $ 699 if you buy it in advance.

See: iPhone XR creates a bit of drama for the new Apple lineup

"We want to make an iPhone for everyone," Cook said on Hello America. He argued that the phone remains a good value for consumers because it replaces traditional cameras and video cameras that they would otherwise have used.

Apple shares rose 0.7% Tuesday, but gained 30% in 2018, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average

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gained 6% and the S & P 500

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gained 9%.

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