iPhone - Does anyone have one and ...

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

not like it?

DD wants to get an iPhone, but I'm concerned that it could disappoint her or not live up to expectations. I have an opportunity to get a refurbished 3G-8GB with an upgrade to my line for a very low price. I don't need a phone, but of course she wants the iPhone (especially at the rock bottom pricing).

 

[scrapquitler]

not like it?

DD wants to get an iPhone, but I'm concerned that it could disappoint her or not live up to expectations. I have an opportunity to get a refurbished 3G-8GB with an upgrade to my line for a very low price. I don't need a phone, but of course she wants the iPhone (especially at the rock bottom pricing).

I love mine.

The only thing in your post that might be of concern where it might not live up to her expectation is the size of the memory on the 8gig.

You'll need to think about how she's going to use it. If she plans to add a lot of music or movies to it, 8gig might be a little bit limiting. I don't have any movies on mine, but I just looked it up and it seems like a movie might be a little more than 1 gig for a two hour movie, so you'll have to keep that in mind if movie watching is important to her. Music and apps will also use a lot of memory if she has a lot stored on the phone (I've got over 10 gig of music on mine - that's why I upgraded and bought the 32 gig one). Then again, that might not matter to her.

 

[Scoutn757]

I bought one because of the battery life and visual voicemail being inclusive. I am now regretting getting one. Everything decent to do on it costs. Apple aka the penny nazis get you hard with anything ringtones, good apps, etc. You can always make your own ringtones but the process is lengthy. Coming off of two different Droids I hate my iPhone and how it operates. Then again I have a brand new MacBookPro and it is the worst computer I have ever used... Too "idiot proof" if I had to say.

 

[rwdavis2]

IMHO, look into a Droid. It does pretty much everything the iPhone does and a bit more. I'm sure she wants one because it's cool vs. anything technical (my kids would). Don't forget the monthly cost of the data plan which most carriers usually require you to buy. That can add $20-$30 a month you your bill.

 

[ashley0139]

It is expensive to have one, but she will LOVE it. Especially if she already has her heart set on it. I love mine and don't know what I would do without it now.

 

[bgirldeb]

The upgrades are very low right now, but be careful of data plans. AT&T requires you to purchase a data plan, and they are no longer unlimited.

 

[Lynne M]

The 3G is two generations back. I got my 3G in 2008. so it's a 3 year old model. The current version is the iPhone 4. I don't think the current iOS will run on it, which means many if not most of the current apps won't work on it. The camera is junk compared to current cell phone cameras, and there's no video. And at 8 GB of storage, it's not going to hold much music, even.

So yes, I think she will be disappointed. It doesn't compare in any way to the current iPhone, and she won't be able to use the apps her friends are using.

If you can get the iPhone 4, I don't think she'll be disappointed at all. I love mine, couldn't do without it. It's terrific for photos and video, FaceTime is amazing for video chatting. There are a ton of free apps out there, and most of the ones that aren't free are under $3.

 

[wvjules]

My DD got an iPHone 4 about 2 months ago. She it! I sometimes have to peel it from her fingers. lol Angry Birds seems to occupy a lot of her time.

 

[Scoutn757]

As of right now you can still get the $30 unlimited data plan from VZW. They are changing it in a few months though. Those who have the $30 plan will be grandfathered in with it and it will not change.

 

[wvjules]

As of right now you can still get the $30 unlimited data plan from VZW. They are changing it in a few months though. Those who have the $30 plan will be grandfathered in with it and it will not change.

Changing it to what? I'm eligible for my upgrade on 6/1 but I was trying to wait for the iPhone 5 to come out (September?). I'll take the 4 if the data plans are going to be more expensive later.

 

[rwdavis2]

The 3G is two generations back. I got my 3G in 2008. so it's a 3 year old model. The current version is the iPhone 4. I don't think the current iOS will run on it, which means many if not most of the current apps won't work on it. The camera is junk compared to current cell phone cameras, and there's no video. And at 8 GB of storage, it's not going to hold much music, even.

So yes, I think she will be disappointed. It doesn't compare in any way to the current iPhone, and she won't be able to use the apps her friends are using.

If you can get the iPhone 4, I don't think she'll be disappointed at all. I love mine, couldn't do without it. It's terrific for photos and video, FaceTime is amazing for video chatting. There are a ton of free apps out there, and most of the ones that aren't free are under $3.

Sorry, but a couple of nits. The version of the iPhone I don't think is 3G. It's just iPhone 3 and 4 is the current model. 3G is the communications system which is a couple years old with 4G coming out now. 4G is much faster than 3G. I believe iPhone 5 will support 4G when it's released later this year. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
BD

 

[Scoutn757]

Changing it to what? I'm eligible for my upgrade on 6/1 but I was trying to wait for the iPhone 5 to come out (September?). I'll take the 4 if the data plans are going to be more expensive later.

They will be moving to a tiered data system similar to what AT&T is now using. Im sure the pricing will be around the same according to sources that I know. From what I have gathered it will be mid to end summer before they start phasing the change in (the change is a part of the clause Apple added to their contract). If you are trying to wait for the iPhone 5 then I would source a Gen 1 Droid and rock out with that until you upgrade. You will have the $30 data plan and it will roll right over to your iPhone upgrade.

 

[Scoutn757]

Sorry, but a couple of nits. The version of the iPhone I don't think is 3G. It's just iPhone 3 and 4 is the current model. 3G is the communications system which is a couple years old with 4G coming out now. 4G is much faster than 3G. I believe iPhone 5 will support 4G when it's released later this year. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
BD

The VZW iPhone 5 WILL NOT be 4G. That was released a couple months back. Apple is going to release the iPhone 5 because they know the fanboys will buy it up. Once the entire nation has 4G on VZW network then Apple will release the 4G version once again knowing that it is going to sell. Apple as much as I dislike the company is a marketing genius.

 

[sparks19]

I have an Iphone 4... and I LOOOOOVE it.

I almost never use it's cell phone capabilities lol but I love it. My hubby bought it for me about 6 months ago and it's the best thing I've ever gotten. I'm addicted to it LOL. I have games on it for DD to play too which comes in handy when we are stuck somewhere and run out of things to do (like our 2 hour appts at the eye doctor where much of the time is spent waiting for the eye drops to dialate her pupils)

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

OP here. DD is 20, if that makes a difference. She currently has a Pantech Laser with a slide out keypad with some touch screen functionality. It is not a smartphone, but is not far from being one.

1. We're on the AT&T network. Her phone already has an unlimited data plan at $10/month (for non-smartphones, on top of the line fee and family texting). I know the iPhone would either require the $15/month for 200mb or $30 for the unlimited data plan. We have a wireless internet connection at home, and I connect my Droid phone anywhere I can to lessen my data charges. The iPhone WiFi capable?

2. I have a Droid phone (Motorola Backflip), and I've adapted to it after having a Blackberry Pearl for a few years. I'm sure she would like it, though she doesn't often pick mine up to play with it. But I know the Droid and iPhone are similar. I'll have to see what might be available.

3. I am a little concerned about the 8mb. That's the size of her mp3 player and she has it filled, with music not photos or video. I'm sure she wants it to use Facebook, IM and text, probably for games and apps too. I don't think she keeps much in terms of photos and music on her phone - she has a camera and mp3 player. Is the memory expandable? Both of our current phones can use a mini-SD card for additional storage.

4. The iPhone we are looking at is the 3GS (all the website says about it) with the iOS4 operating system (means nothing to me) but those of you who know can enlighten me on which generation phone this is and whether it is still relevant.

Thanks for all of your insight. It really has been helpful, and I'm glad that I resisted her pleading to get it right away. If I decide to buy it, I will stash it until her birthday that is a month away.

 

[Scoutn757]

OP here. DD is 20, if that makes a difference. She currently has a Pantech Laser with a slide out keypad with some touch screen functionality. It is not a smartphone, but is not far from being one.

1. We're on the AT&T network. Her phone already has an unlimited data plan at $10/month (for non-smartphones, on top of the line fee and family texting). I know the iPhone would either require the $15/month for 200mb or $30 for the unlimited data plan. We have a wireless internet connection at home, and I connect my Droid phone anywhere I can to lessen my data charges. The iPhone WiFi capable?

2. I have a Droid phone (Motorola Backflip), and I've adapted to it after having a Blackberry Pearl for a few years. I'm sure she would like it, though she doesn't often pick mine up to play with it. But I know the Droid and iPhone are similar. I'll have to see what might be available.

3. I am a little concerned about the 8mb. That's the size of her mp3 player and she has it filled, with music not photos or video. I'm sure she wants it to use Facebook, IM and text, probably for games and apps too. I don't think she keeps much in terms of photos and music on her phone - she has a camera and mp3 player. Is the memory expandable? Both of our current phones can use a mini-SD card for additional storage.

4. The iPhone we are looking at is the 3GS (all the website says about it) with the iOS4 operating system (means nothing to me) but those of you who know can enlighten me on which generation phone this is and whether it is still relevant.

Thanks for all of your insight. It really has been helpful, and I'm glad that I resisted her pleading to get it right away. If I decide to buy it, I will stash it until her birthday that is a month away.

1. It IS WiFi capable, it does use an extra amount of battery in order to run off of it.

2. I <3 Droids. Make sure you play with each phone before y'all pick one. iPhones have become somewhat synonymous for "status symbol" for whatever reason I have yet to figure out.

3. It is not expandable. I have an 8gig iPhone. I only have the music I like at the time loaded on it for that reason. I have two other iPods, one with all of my music backed up on it 78gig worth of 120gig. She will not listen to 2 full gigs of music much less eight. Save the money and just switch the music out every now and then.

4. 3Gs is for the most part a faster 3G phone, upload speed a bit higher and downloads are going to be a fair bit quicker. iOS4 is nothing more than the latest edition of software. It is also the software you have heard in the news about saving locations. It is a glitch that is saving it and will be corrected in the next update. It is nothing like the media is playing it out to be.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Just bought the new Verizon/Droid/Thunderbolt for myself and my daughter. FWIW, I've been told that the iPhones are NOT expandable, so if you need a bigger phone you need to buy it from the outset. Of course I know nothing about these things, just passing along what I was told.

 

[RadioNate]

Yes the iPhone is Wifi compatible.

No the memory is not expandable.

The 3Gs is the model right before the current model (iPhone 4.) It is the 3rd generation iPhone, released in June 2009 so it is about 2 years old. iOS4 is the latest operating system. The 3Gs won't be able to take advantage of all the features (like FaceTime) because there isn't the front facing VGA camera.

That said LOVE my iPhone!

 

[rwdavis2]

OP here. DD is 20, if that makes a difference. She currently has a Pantech Laser with a slide out keypad with some touch screen functionality. It is not a smartphone, but is not far from being one.

1. We're on the AT&T network. Her phone already has an unlimited data plan at $10/month (for non-smartphones, on top of the line fee and family texting). I know the iPhone would either require the $15/month for 200mb or $30 for the unlimited data plan. We have a wireless internet connection at home, and I connect my Droid phone anywhere I can to lessen my data charges. The iPhone WiFi capable?

Yes, I believe so. It's very handy and you can avoid using up data download.

2. I have a Droid phone (Motorola Backflip), and I've adapted to it after having a Blackberry Pearl for a few years. I'm sure she would like it, though she doesn't often pick mine up to play with it. But I know the Droid and iPhone are similar. I'll have to see what might be available.

3. I am a little concerned about the 8mb. That's the size of her mp3 player and she has it filled, with music not photos or video. I'm sure she wants it to use Facebook, IM and text, probably for games and apps too. I don't think she keeps much in terms of photos and music on her phone - she has a camera and mp3 player. Is the memory expandable? Both of our current phones can use a mini-SD card for additional storage.

Memory is NOT expandable on an iPhone. That's one problem I have with Apple products. There's not much you can do yourself. If she's filled up an ipod with 8 gigs then an 8 gig iPhone won't cut it. The apps will take up some of that space.

4. The iPhone we are looking at is the 3GS (all the website says about it) with the iOS4 operating system (means nothing to me) but those of you who know can enlighten me on which generation phone this is and whether it is still relevant.

IOS4 is the operating system and the 3G refers, essentially, to data download speeds. This is probably a third generation iPhone. The current generation is four with generation five in the fall that will have 4G speeds.

Thanks for all of your insight. It really has been helpful, and I'm glad that I resisted her pleading to get it right away. If I decide to buy it, I will stash it until her birthday that is a month away.

See above.

 

[Scoutn757]

See above.

The point has some errors. All phone companies sell the fourth gen at this point. It was released last June. Apple sources have confirmed the next generation iPhone will not got a 4G phone.