iPhone - 8g or 16g

[bucket o' butter]

DH and I are thinking of upgrading to an iPhone this fall. We currently have service with AT&T, but are not tied down to a contract. I love this option, but if we go with iPhones we will have to sign a contract. We can't afford to buy an iphone outright. I was in the AT&T store last night and inquired about the new iphone 4. Mainly the cost and the data plans. We currently have the unlimited data plans on our phones now, so we will lose that option if we go with the iphones. I am hoping to go with the smaller data plan and DH with the larger data plan. When I was at the store, the salesperson told me that I should definitely get the 16g iphone because you cannot upgrade with the 8g iphones. Of course, the 16g ones (iphone4) will be $199 whereas the 8g ones will be $99. Does anyone know if this is true or if this was just the salesperson trying to make an extra $100? Seems a bit fishy to me, but then again, sounds like something iphone might do to get you to spend more money. Any input you might have on this matter would be great!

 

[Green Tea]

i don't know what he is talking about with the upgrade. The choice really depends on how many movies or the amount of music you want on your ipod. The rest is al the same. If you don't want more storage space, go with the smaller gigs.

 

[S'sMom]

Hello,

Walmart has the Iphone 16 GB for $97 with the new contracts. I got an Iphone about 25 days ago. I was going to upgrade from the 8g to the 16g GS, but I have a separate ipod with 30G (wheel model). Personally, I dont think that we needed anything additional. But everyone has different needs. When we upgraded, all we did was transfer our current plan (my blackberry and DH reg phone) to our new ones with no problems. Of course we got the unlimited before the other options.

I hope this helps a bit.

*** Here is a link that talks about the Walmart pricing *** I forgot to add this earlier.
http://newsnidea.com/35826/walmart-makes-price-lower-for-iphone-3gs-to-97-dollars-officially/

 

[vicki_c]

The new iPhones 4 are $299 for the 16GB and $199 for the 8GB - unless you are getting some special deal of some kind. We are getting new phones and about to sign a new 2 year agreement (replacing our 3G phones) and those are the prices.

The prices the OP quoted are the prices for the 3Gs - they have dropped the price since the release of the new model.

We have had an 8 GB and a 16 GB 3G phone for two years. We are going to upgrade to the 16 and 32 GB. I use mine for a lot more apps and music than my husband does, so he has the smaller one and I have the larger one. That has worked well for us. I would get the largest one you can afford. The apps are only going to get more robust and bigger in size, I think, over time and it's good to have the ability to put more on your phone.

That said, we own over 10K songs and of course only a very small % of those fit on my phone even at 16 GB, once you factor in all the apps and things on the phone - including a navigation system.

 

[S'sMom]

We did consider getting the 4G, but decided to wait. Of course by the time we upgrade to that, they will have the 5 or 6 G by then. What a difference a day makes. LOL

 

[vicki_c]

We did consider getting the 4G, but decided to wait. Of course by the time we upgrade to that, they will have the 5 or 6 G by then. What a difference a day makes. LOL

Yes, there is never any use in trying to keep up! I feel that we were just lucky that our old Verizon contract was ending right when they released the iPhone 3G 2 years ago, and our current AT&T contract is ending now with the release of the 4 -- just good timing for once in my life.

 

[Kitzka]

I think you have to think about how many songs, photos, apps etc you may have on your phone. Dh has the 8g 3G I have the 16g 3G. Both of our phones are very full with apps, music, videos etc. Www are going to upgrade to the new iPhone 4 and dh will get the 16g and I will get the 32g.

I don't think the iPhone 4 comes in 8g.

Good luck

Lara

 

[bucket o' butter]

Thanks for the input! I can always depend on my fellow DisBoarders! Still not sure what we are going to do. Frankly, I'd be happy with the 3g, but since the " 4" is ready to come out, DH "has to have" that one. Someone made a point that it will be "old" very soon too! That seems to happen with every new piece of technology! As far as the prices go, I will check on that. I thought it seemed weird that the prices for the iphone 4 were the same as the iphone 3. We have a very small AT&T store in our town, and the people there tend to not be the the most knowledgable people around when it comes to cell phones. We have had other issues in the past so I usually go to the store about 20 miles away because they do know their stuff.

I was told (last night) that when new versions of the iphone come out, you can "upgrade" your software to that model. Not even sure what that means or how that works. The sales girl said that she has the 16g iphone 3gs and will be able upgrade the software in her phone so it will be the same as the iphone4 as soon as it comes out. She said that isn't possible with the 8g. Again, not sure what that means or even if she knows what she is talking about. Going to check with the people at the bigger store.

This is a big step for me to make because I am the definitely penny pincher of the family. I appreciate all the advice everyone has offered. Thanks again!

 

[vicki_c]

I was told (last night) that when new versions of the iphone come out, you can "upgrade" your software to that model. Not even sure what that means or how that works. The sales girl said that she has the 16g iphone 3gs and will be able upgrade the software in her phone so it will be the same as the iphone4 as soon as it comes out. She said that isn't possible with the 8g. Again, not sure what that means or even if she knows what she is talking about. Going to check with the people at the bigger store.

Yes, you will be able to upgrade the operating software if you have a 3GS -- whether you have an 8GB or a 16GB phone. However, not all the features in the new software will work on the older phones (for example the new Face Time conference feature). So she was not really correct.

Also - if you have an Apple store at a mall near you, I would go there. They are usually much more knowledgeable and you can sign up for your phone service through AT&T right in the store when you buy a phone that way. That's what we did a few years ago and walked right out of the store with working phones.

 

[j9000]

3g is not upgradable to os4, only the 3gs and iphone4 can, (not powerful enough)

one thing to remember is the phones capacity is NOT 8 & 16gb, with operating software and other bits the space on the phone is about 1 - 11/2 gb less than that.

personally i would go 16 or 32, and would get the iphone4 or 3gs, the old 3g battery is a bit rubbish

 

[SowFam]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the capacity of the new iPhone 4 either 16GB or 32GB? I didn't think they are making 8GB versions of the iPhone 4. There wasn't an 8GB iPhone 3GS was there?

I plan on reserving an iPhone 4 on Tuesday, the 16GB model.

 

[vicki_c]

3g is not upgradable to os4, only the 3gs and iphone4 can, (not powerful enough)

Thanks - I didn't know the 3G wasn't upgradeable to the new OS - well, just another reason for me to be ordering a new phone next week!

(I edited my post above to reflect the correct info).

 

[vicki_c]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the capacity of the new iPhone 4 either 16GB or 32GB? I didn't think they are making 8GB versions of the iPhone 4. There wasn't an 8GB iPhone 3GS was there?

I plan on reserving an iPhone 4 on Tuesday, the 16GB model.

You are correct - the new phones are 16 and 32 GB.

The 3GS though did come in an 8GB model.

To the OP -- that is even more evidence that the person at the AT&T store was NOT talking to you about the iPhone 4 model, but the older 3GS.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We currently have the unlimited data plans on our phones now, so we will lose that option if we go with the iphones. I am hoping to go with the smaller data plan and DH with the larger data plan.

I have been dealing with all of this for the past several days.

I believe if you already have the unlimited data plans now you will be grandfathered in (ie be able to keep them). New data plan users do not have an option to get unlimited data plans anymore.

The two options are something to the effect of 280MB for $15 per month or 2GB for $25 per month. One thing people may not realize is if your employer has an ATT discount you get 25% off the cost of the data plan but only on the 2G or $25 plan, bringing it down to about $19 per month. So for $4 per month difference, you get a lot more memory to use (every time you open up a web page it uses memory). I initially wasn't sure what to go with but most people I talked with recommended the 2GB, which seems to give most users plenty of memory per month without the fear (or expense) of going over. And especially with the discount, it made the most sense.

Another thing I learned was that if you have a family plan, data plans are not "shared" memory, so the 2GB is per phone, not total. One other important point is that if you get an IPhone, you HAVE to get a data plan with it.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

You are correct - the new phones are 16 and 32 GB.

The 3GS though did come in an 8GB model.

To the OP -- that is even more evidence that the person at the AT&T store was NOT talking to you about the iPhone 4 model, but the older 3GS.

The 3 GS iPhone released last June came in a 16GB or 32 GB models. The least expensive is currently $199 at ATT and Apple (but as low as $97 at Walmart), but expect the price to drop at Apple and ATT on June 24 when the 4G is released in 16GB and 32GB models starting at $199. The only 8GB iPhone currently available is the 3G, released in July, 2008. It is selling for $99, but again expect that to drop until the model is sold out. -- Suzanne

 

[vicki_c]

The 3 GS iPhone released last June came in a 16GB or 32 GB models. The least expensive is currently $199 at ATT and Apple (but as low as $97 at Walmart), but expect the price to drop at Apple and ATT on June 24 when the 4G is released in 16GB and 32GB models starting at $199. The only 8GB iPhone currently available is the 3G, released in July, 2008. It is selling for $99, but again expect that to drop until the model is sold out. -- Suzanne

There is an 8GS selling for $99 right on the Apple site itself. I went back and verified before posting my earlier post.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/

So maybe they didn't sell that when they first came out, but they do now.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

There is an 8GS selling for $99 right on the Apple site itself. I went back and verified before posting my earlier post.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/

So maybe they didn't sell that when they first came out, but they do now.

You are right. It looks like the 8GB iPhone 3GS will be on sale on June 24, 2010 for $99.

So if you buy an 8GB today, it would be a 3G for $99. If you wait a couple weeks, it will be a 3GS for that price. It is possible that there will also be a 8GB 3G available for less than $99 and a 16GB 3GS for $99, while supplies last.

If you can find it, Walmart is selling the 16GB 3GS for $97 today.

All of those prices include a 2 year contract with ATT.

Yes, you definitely need a score card to keep this all straight! -- Suzanne

 

[Anjelica]

There is an 8GS selling for $99 right on the Apple site itself. I went back and verified before posting my earlier post.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/

So maybe they didn't sell that when they first came out, but they do now.

Correct:

The new iphone 4 will ONLY have 16GB for 199.xx with a new contract/upgrade and the 32GB for 299.xx with a new contract upgrade

The current 16GB and 32GB 3GS phones will still be available even after the release of the new iphone 4 for $149.xx and 199.xx respectively. There will be a NEW 8GB 3GS phone available soon (if not already out) for $99.xx (These prices are with new and/or upgrade eligible customers).

For the complete press release see here:
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=30863

 

[bonoriffic]

3g is not upgradable to os4, only the 3gs and iphone4 can, (not powerful enough)

Not true. The iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 2G Touch are all upgradable to iOS 4. Basically the original iPhone and iPod Touch are out of luck for upgrades. Multitasking is only available in 3GS and iPhone 4. Facetime only works with iPhone 4.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Thanks for the input! I can always depend on my fellow DisBoarders! Still not sure what we are going to do. Frankly, I'd be happy with the 3g, but since the " 4" is ready to come out, DH "has to have" that one. Someone made a point that it will be "old" very soon too! That seems to happen with every new piece of technology! As far as the prices go, I will check on that. I thought it seemed weird that the prices for the iphone 4 were the same as the iphone 3. We have a very small AT&T store in our town, and the people there tend to not be the the most knowledgable people around when it comes to cell phones. We have had other issues in the past so I usually go to the store about 20 miles away because they do know their stuff.

I was told (last night) that when new versions of the iphone come out, you can "upgrade" your software to that model. Not even sure what that means or how that works. The sales girl said that she has the 16g iphone 3gs and will be able upgrade the software in her phone so it will be the same as the iphone4 as soon as it comes out. She said that isn't possible with the 8g. Again, not sure what that means or even if she knows what she is talking about. Going to check with the people at the bigger store.

This is a big step for me to make because I am the definitely penny pincher of the family. I appreciate all the advice everyone has offered. Thanks again!

I think what she meant was whatever 8GBs they have in stock are the 3G not the 3GS..the 3G I believe will get some of the upgraded iphone software but not all of the features.