DS has requested an iphone for his Bday, I have a 32GB!

[SnowBelleAlice]

Adding-
I have, right in front of me a 32GB, black, AT&T iPhone 5! Got it for $350, http://checkesnfree.com says the imei is clean!
Met a dad, had his kids with him, the transaction was completed at a Village Inn
Now to figure out how to unlock it, I unlocked my 4S so I should be able to handle this.
For now it's in a Mickey and Minnie mesh draw string bag, my nephew's, it's been floating around my car since he and my kids visited DLR earlier this month

My guy turns 14 on Easter Sunday, all he wants is an iphone 5, he will have a non data plan, I don't like contracts, what's my best option, used? New at full price? Discounted with a contract? I've been looking at used *ksl.com and they're not cheap, I got an iPad mini with a $100 Walmart giftcard for $320 last year!
I'm with net10 and fairly happy, he's on a prepay with Tmobile for now.

How to run an iphone on a data less plan - http://osxdaily.com/2012/02/01/use-an-iphone-without-a-data-plan/

Could add a line with AT&T but I don't want him to have data so it looks like I'll have to buy used, gsm and unlock it, go with a pay as you go minutes and text plan.

 

[Ali]

you can't have an iphone without a data plan. So other than that its a great gift. my DS 13 wants one too and I am looking at the cheapest options because I can't add him to my unlimited plan.

 

[ancestry]

Agree with the previous poster - you can't have an iPhone without a data plan.

The best price on an iPhone is most likely going to come with a contract. My entire family has iPhones (all six of us) and has for years. We do prefer AT&T because it provides the best coverage where we are. We usually are locked into a 2 year contract to get the best pricing on the hardware.

If you want to stay with a prepaid plan you are going to probably be looking at $500-$600 for the iPhone unless you can buy one from an individual seller.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

My BIL has a data less plan on his iphone, pretty sure he's with Tmobile.

 

[tvguy]

My kids didn't get cell phones until they were driving at 16. Neither has a smart phone here. DD does, but she is going to school in the U.K. and data is included at no extra charge.

So, in our household, the answer would be more basic, it would be no to any cell phone at age 14.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Would you go with 16 or 32gb? Mines a 32 and I'm about out of room, no songs, few apps, lots of pictures.
My mom is with at&t - I keep telling her to cancel her contract, been with them for years, and get a new phone, she has the second made iphone.

 

[SC Minnie]

My BIL has a data less plan on his iphone, pretty sure he's with Tmobile.

You need to ask him how. I've never heard of anyone being able to active an iPhone without a data plan. I've never seen one that can be used only via wifi like the iTouch or iPad.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

You need to ask him how. I've never heard of anyone being able to active an iPhone without a data plan. I've never seen one that can be used only via wifi like the iTouch or iPad.

I've messages my sister *he and I don't talk much* I bet my 4S could, it's unlocked, maybe jailbroken, I'm with net10, had been with straight talk.

http://osxdaily.com/2012/02/01/use-an-iphone-without-a-data-plan/

http://store.apple.com/us/question/...-iphone-without-a-data-plan/QJ7CFA77KKDPTF4XD

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never heard of an iphone without a data plan (or else dd11 and ds11 would have one - I wouldn't mind them having phones, but not data yet). I just added dd17, ds16, and dd13 to my verizon account (and it costs a fortune!).

 

[kerriemiller]

Im wondering if maybe an Ipod touch would be a better fit. If he is just looking for music and apps, then maybe look at used ipod touch. That jailbreak stuff can be complicated

 

[d96j97]

Both go my boys (ages 16 and 17) asked for iPhones for Christmas. We have been with Virgin Mobile for years and although the cost of the phone is high, we only pay $30 per month for unlimited data, unlimited texting, and 300 anytime minutes per month. To get the $30 per month (which is a $5 off regular price) you just have to register your debit card for direct debit each month. We love Virgin Mobile but their customer service could improve. The phones were both at 20% off at the time so that definitely helped. My boys also used $200 of their own money toward the purchase because we just don't spend $500 or so on a single Christmas gift. Good luck deciding.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Im wondering if maybe an Ipod touch would be a better fit. If he has a phone and he is just looking for music and apps, look at used ipod touch

True, I should explain to him that he won't have a data plan, there are texting and call *google voice* apps for iPods, he had an iPod touch, it disappeared :/

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I guess my question would be what does he think he'll do with it without a data plan. Isn't that the whole point of having a smart phone? I think I'm lost as to why you'd have a smart phone without data.

 

[kerriemiller]

that is true he can use imessage between any other apple devices, EI any of his friends that have apple devices. And there are several apps for making phone calls. It really will do everything he would want an Iphone for.

 

[powellrj]

Not sure if he is in HS yet, but if he is in any activites, most of the information comes by text message. My DD played golf and basketball and the coaches would text the kids all the times and places they needed to be. I think anymore its hard for a kid in HS without a cell phone with a text package. Maybe you could get him an iphone with the lowest amount of minutes?

 

[MSSANDRA]

Without a data plan, I think an iphone is really not worth the cost. We were told the iphone must have a data plan but there very well may be loopholes. I was fine with my then 14 year old having data but many parents are not and for good reasons.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Not sure if he is in HS yet, but if he is in any activites, most of the information comes by text message. My DD played golf and basketball and the coaches would text the kids all the times and places they needed to be. I think anymore its hard for a kid in HS without a cell phone with a text package. Maybe you could get him an iphone with the lowest amount of minutes?

He'd keep his flip phone if I go the touch route.

Found a black 32GB for $350, it's been listed since 4/10, maybe I can get it lowered, it's AT&T so I can unlock it, it's a contender.

 

[3Gsandme]

Yeah...honestly if you don't want him to have a data plan I wouldn't buy him the phone. I cannot fathom spending more than $600 on an unlocked iPhone that's essentially a dumb phone. You'd be better off buying him a new iPod and a "dumb" phone. You'd spend less money.

 

[DawnM]

I purchased an iphone 5 from CL for $300. It was in perfect condition.

I also bought my 14 year old a Samsung Galaxy S3 for about $200 on a local Mom sale's site. It works perfectly.

My 16 year old doesn't want a phone other than his flip phone, so whatever.

We have the newer ATT plan where we share 10gb of data and it is $15 per additional phone.

Dawn

My guy turns 14 on Easter Sunday, all he wants is an iphone 5, he will have a non data plan, I don't like contracts, what's my best option, used? New at full price? Discounted with a contract? I've been looking at used *ksl.com and they're not cheap, I got an iPad mini with a $100 Walmart giftcard for $320 last year!
I'm with net10 and fairly happy, he's on a prepay with Tmobile for now.

How to run an iphone on a data less plan - http://osxdaily.com/2012/02/01/use-an-iphone-without-a-data-plan/

Could add a line with AT&T but I don't want him to have data so it looks like I'll have to buy used, gsm and unlock it, go with a pay as you go minutes and text plan.

 

[3happydancers]

My kids didn't get cell phones until they were driving at 16. Neither has a smart phone here. DD does, but she is going to school in the U.K. and data is included at no extra charge.

So, in our household, the answer would be more basic, it would be no to any cell phone at age 14.

Our DD is just 16. 2 years back she wanted an iphone (DH and me do not have iphones). It's Tracfones for our family. We have lap tops and a Galaxy tablet so any online things are done at home and DD has an Itouch so she has unlimited texting for free with a wifi connection. No need for the expensive phones or monthly bills. Ultimately, we told DD she can have an iphone when she can pay the monthly bill.

(I know iphones may be best for other families, so please know my comment is not judging others; Iphones just don't work for my family).

OP, would you consider a Smart Phone?

OOPS... Nevermind, Smart Phones have data so this would not work!