So, I keep getting ads for this one, url=https://www.modephone.com/]ModePhone[/url] and I can't help but to think, "That's great, however, what's the biggest catch?  How much data are they mining to keep this up?  Why can't I just install the same money making apps on my phone, firewall them or route them through a VPN and still make the money?" ...

Not only that, it's confusing ...

For $9.99* per month, you can earn $900 or more 1 per year just by using a Mode Phone 4 hours daily

$9.99*
Monthly subscription
(plus first payment, shipping & GSM unlock)
* Billed Quarterly
SUBSCRIBE NOW
NO CREDIT CHECK

$29.99
Four payments with Klarna
After 50% rebate
ORDER NOW
NO CREDIT CHECK

$119.99
One-time payment
After 50% rebate
ORDER NOW
NO CREDIT CHECK

1. Easily earn money with a Mode Phone by doing the things you already do
surf mode
Surf MODE
Get paid when you use surf mode to browse the internet

Music MODE
Get paid when you use music mode to play your favorite music

News MODE
Get paid when you use news mode to read breaking news

Charge MODE
Get paid for every minute spent charging your Mode Phone

Locked MODE
Get paid every time you use the Mode Phone lock screen

How it works
pay
1. Put $29 down, plus your first month's payment, to get your Mode Phone shipped to you.
pay
2. Unbox and set up the phone, which comes with a 12-month device warranty.
pay
3. Invest $9.99 a month to earn up to $75 or more a month.
The Mode Phone is not rent-to-own. As long as you maintain your subscription you can keep earning up to $900 or more every year with your Mode Phone. Receive a new device after 12 months
pay

SUBSCRIBE NOW
NO CREDIT CHECK

I mean, it's ok if you have a spare, unlocked phone, maybe?
(And theirs is "dual-sim", supposedly)
OR
Why can't I just get a cheap Dual-Sim Chinese phone with the same specs and do it that way?

I don't know about this one ...
(Notice after every step of the last quote, it says in small letters [on their site that I took it from], "pay"?)

I'll see if I can find other things like this as well ...
But for the moment, I'm trying to figure this one out fully ....

Seems like if this were so valuable they would hand the phones and service out for free by the thousands, and then pay you for using them. And wtf would it still cost $10 per month if it brings in so much. Has to be a scam.

What is a average monthly phone bill anyway? I've never seen one.

From an NVMO, about $30-$40 ...
From a major carrier, about $40-$50+ ....