iPhone 3G - Is it worth it?

**Ciclone** · 07-07-2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

We are supposed to have 3g in the dsm area in sept. Of course that is what ATT is saying right now.

AT&T rep told me the same thing. Regardless - I'm getting one Friday!!

**Rogue52** · 07-07-2008, 10:39 PM

Even when AT&T starts implementing 3G in Iowa, I'm not that impressed with the realistic speeds that are being advertised.

The iphone's biggest handicap: AT&T.

**jbhtexas** · 07-07-2008, 10:39 PM

Ahhh yes...3G has been lovely for the last few months on my HTC Mogul...1000+ kbit/sec downloads...thousands of apps already available for Windows Mobile (and a good number of them installed on my phone I should say!)...but I digress...back to your regularly scheduled Apple love fest...

If you are happy with Verizon's coverage, stick with them and get one of the nice HTC or LG phones. The phone becomes significantly less useful if you have no coverage...

**cytech** · 07-07-2008, 10:42 PM

I have said it before in other threads but we used to have several phones with AT&T in Cedar Rapids, and by far they have the worst network here in this area constant dropped calls. It may be better now but I won't be going back to find out.

**Cloned4Life** · 07-07-2008, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

Ahhh yes...3G has been lovely for the last few months on my HTC Mogul...1000+ kbit/sec downloads...thousands of apps already available for Windows Mobile (and a good number of them installed on my phone I should say!)...but I digress...back to your regularly scheduled Apple love fest...

If you are happy with Verizon's coverage, stick with them and get one of the nice HTC or LG phones. The phone becomes significantly less useful if you have no coverage...

The iPhones are flat out cool...I mean, really really cool. But I couldn't justfiy having one - everyone I know hates AT&T and I can't even get coverage anywhere close to my hometown. So I ordred the LG Voyager and am excited to be back on Verizon.

**TxCycloneFan** · 07-07-2008, 11:00 PM

I'm planning on getting one in September when my Sprint contract expires. I understand that the hardware is going to be less expensive, but the service is going to be more expensive.

**ISUFan22** · 07-07-2008, 11:03 PM

What's the best way to get my contacts from my Razor to the iPhone? I understand the only (or best) way to import contacts on the iPhone is via iTunes. So I assume I need to (or should) export my contacts from the Razor to iTunes - but could use some tips for that.

**jbhtexas** · 07-07-2008, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

I'm planning on getting one in September when my Sprint contract expires. I understand that the hardware is going to be less expensive, but the service is going to be more expensive.

Just curious...why are you dropping Sprint for AT&T? Sprint gave me a nice deal on the Power Vision Access Pack in exchange for renewing for another two years...

**StormnClone58** · 07-07-2008, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

Just curious...why are you dropping Sprint for AT&T? Sprint gave me a nice deal on the Power Vision Access Pack in exchange for renewing for another two years...

took the words right out of my mouth .... not to mention has anyone checked out sprints new phone the samsung instinct ...

**atlantacyclone** · 07-08-2008, 02:12 AM

The other option is to unlock the iphone and go with cheaper tmobile service.

**Skyh13** · 07-08-2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

I'm planning on getting one in September when my Sprint contract expires. I understand that the hardware is going to be less expensive, but the service is going to be more expensive.

Yeah... WAY more expensive. Have you guys seen the pricing plan? AT&T has their own special iPhone 3G pricing plan. You pay extra for the 3G (even if your area doesn't have it), as far as I know there isn't an unlimited data plan (for those of you who want to surf on that 3G a lot), and I guess text messages cost a fortune.

I haven't looked at the specifics, but these are some of the things I've seen people complain about elsewhere on the internet. It looks like AT&T might be taking this opportunity to gouge customers on what is obviously expected to be a highly sought item, especially since they're giving that two-year deal for it.

**ornryactor** · 07-08-2008, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by Skyh13

Yeah... WAY more expensive. Have you guys seen the pricing plan? AT&T has their own special iPhone 3G pricing plan. You pay extra for the 3G (even if your area doesn't have it), as far as I know there isn't an unlimited data plan (for those of you who want to surf on that 3G a lot), and I guess text messages cost a fortune.

I haven't looked at the specifics, but these are some of the things I've seen people complain about elsewhere on the internet. It looks like AT&T might be taking this opportunity to gouge customers on what is obviously expected to be a highly sought item, especially since they're giving that two-year deal for it.

I'm bored, so here are some various pricing plans for the iPhone 3G. I add together all relevant costs and monthly charges into a total "cost of ownership". Things that are assumed:

*I only factor in the 24 months of service mandated by the contract.

*This is for a customer new to AT&T service. For early upgraders, just add $182 to any price listed below.

*This is a single line, not part of a family plan.

*I'm not sure if the data plan is optional, but I will treat it as though it is. (Though without it, many of the iPhone's functions are obviously unusable.)

*I include the maximum possible Monthly Regulatory Cost Charge: $1.25/month. YMMV.

*The 8GB phone will be selected. For the 16GB, just add $100 to any price listed below.

*These prices do not include state/local taxes.

*Every price listed below was rounded up to the nearest dollar, since they all have a .75 at the end.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolute cheapest possible option: $1,946
450 anytime minutes, 5000 night/weekend minutes, 45-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $2,066
Add unlimited texting: $2,426
Add 3G data plan: $2,666
Add data and unlimited texting: $3,146
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Next option: $2,425
900 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes, 40-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $2,545
Add unlimited texting: $2,905
Add 3G data plan: $3,145
Add data and unlimited texting: $3,625
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Next option: $2,905
1350 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes, 35-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $3,025
Add unlimited texting: $3,385
Add 3G data plan: $3,625
Add data and unlimited texting: $4,105
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Last option: $3,385
Unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited data.
Add 200 texts/month: $3,505
Add unlimited texting: $3,865
-------------------------------------------------------------------

So there you have it. I'm not going to do family plan pricing, because that has way too many variables in it.

I can't believe I just spent 45 minutes doing that. I don't even want an iPhone...

**cytech** · 07-08-2008, 04:09 AM

99.99 a month at sprint simply everything plan rocks

**dmclone** · 07-08-2008, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

I'm bored, so here are some various pricing plans for the iPhone 3G. I add together all relevant costs and monthly charges into a total "cost of ownership". Things that are assumed:

*I only factor in the 24 months of service mandated by the contract.

*This is for a customer new to AT&T service. For early upgraders, just add $182 to any price listed below.

*This is a single line, not part of a family plan.

*I'm not sure if the data plan is optional, but I will treat it as though it is. (Though without it, many of the iPhone's functions are obviously unusable.)

*I include the maximum possible Monthly Regulatory Cost Charge: $1.25/month. YMMV.

*The 8GB phone will be selected. For the 16GB, just add $100 to any price listed below.

*These prices do not include state/local taxes.

*Every price listed below was rounded up to the nearest dollar, since they all have a .75 at the end.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolute cheapest possible option: $1,946
450 anytime minutes, 5000 night/weekend minutes, 45-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $2,066
Add unlimited texting: $2,426
Add 3G data plan: $2,666
Add data and unlimited texting: $3,146
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Next option: $2,425
900 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes, 40-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $2,545
Add unlimited texting: $2,905
Add 3G data plan: $3,145
Add data and unlimited texting: $3,625
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Next option: $2,905
1350 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend minutes, 35-cent overage.
Add 200 texts/month: $3,025
Add unlimited texting: $3,385
Add 3G data plan: $3,625
Add data and unlimited texting: $4,105
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Last option: $3,385
Unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited data.
Add 200 texts/month: $3,505
Add unlimited texting: $3,865
-------------------------------------------------------------------

So there you have it. I'm not going to do family plan pricing, because that has way too many variables in it.

I can't believe I just spent 45 minutes doing that. I don't even want an iPhone...

My god that's expensive to have a phone. I hope you people are not the ones complaining about gas prices because the $160/month you spend on a phone is crazy.

Why not just have a simple $29/month cell phone plan and buy an Itouch?

**Jeremy** · 07-08-2008, 07:12 AM

To make it clear, the iPhone 3G doesn't have any lower or higher prices than standard Blackberry plans, it's all the same now. The only people complaining are the ones that had the iPhone 2G and had the special iPhone plan that was actually cheaper than all other data plans. Considering the iPhone transmits MUCH MORE data than any other device, it is obvious that it should have the regular data plans. It's now the same price as having a Blackberry on AT&T.