>It doesn't make any sense to compare those numbers
Well, it's a valid comparison, since it's apples to apples. Even the numbers themselves can be considered valid, given that a large portion of American mobile customers get their phones with their contracts.
At least in the UK, the price of the contract depends on the phone. SIM-only contracts are also available, which will be even cheaper each month. The only number which will give an apples-to-apples comparison is the total cost (initial cost + monthly cost * contract length). Some people seem to say that monthly cost and contract length are fixed in the US, making the initial cost the only variable, but I find that hard to believe.
Well, it's a "confusopoly", but you can reckon to pay about $80 / month for two years, plus an initial $100 - $200, for one single top of the line phone, such as an iPhone 4S.
Over two years, this amortizes the phone cost, and if you keep paying, it's basically just extra gravy for ATT.
In the US most carriers just require you to get one of the plans. The pricing on the plans is independent of which phone you get. So it makes comparing the subsidized prices of the phone an "Apple" to apples thing!
Well, it's a valid comparison, since it's apples to apples. Even the numbers themselves can be considered valid, given that a large portion of American mobile customers get their phones with their contracts.