Novice with iPhone question

[POOHsie]

I am below novice level about smart phones. I use a Tracfone now, but wanted to ditch my landline and Tracfone and just have a smart phone. My DD has had an iPhone for years, and, as I understand it, she bought the phone unlocked, and used the 3G service to access email and internet. No data plan. I can attest to the email and internet access, as we went cross country with this phone, and it was a real asset to our road trip. DD now has a 4S model.

I can buy an unlocked 4S iPhone from Apple.com. But on a trip to an AT&T store, they only dealt with iPhones that you bought at a discount, like $199, and you spent your 2 year contract paying back the difference between the discounted price and full price, in addition to requiring you to buy a data plan. The cheapest I priced out for a 4S 16Gb, was 450 minutes for $39.99, 300 mb data $20.00, Pay per use txt and sending pics/video, 20/30cents each. Total $59.99/mo.

So I am confused. What can I do with an unlocked phone that I pay full price for. How do I get a service plan that takes into account I have a full price phone, not a discounted one? Can I avoid a data plan as my DD claims to? I am not talking about transmitting pics, movies, downloading movies, music, or anything large. Just for internet/email access while away from home. And connectibility to home Mac computer to download pics/videos taken with iPhone camera.

DD lives 2 time zones away, and people around here are not cutting edge. So I thank you for any info.

 

[clm10308]

With an unlocked phone, you are not held to a 2 yr contract with a specific carrier. You can choose any carrier that uses that type of iPhone. AT&T phones use a SIM card. Verizon phones use a different system. I have heard of some people being a le to use an iPhone with a pay as you go service, but I don't know much about that.

I have never heard of a cell phone carrier letting anyone use an iPhone without a data charge of some kind.

iPhones can be set up to work on wifi for email and Internet. If you are using your own wifi or public wifi then that amount of data does not count against the data plan that you may have with a carrier.

 

[scrapquitler]

I have a feeling that your daughter was accessing the internet/email not on 3g but on free wifi networks. There is a difference, maybe that is why you are confused?

I believe that even with purchasing a full price, unlocked phone, you are not going to be able to access data/internet/email without purchasing a data plan from whatever carrier you have your cellphone service.

 

[mountdew1]

When you buy an unlocked phone, you simply get around having to sign a contract with your carrier. To use any service the carrier provides, you will need to sign up for their services/plan, just not on a contract w/early termination fee. So you want to text? You need to sign up for a texting plan. Want to use 500 minutes of calling? You need a calling plan. Want data? You need a data plan. With a smartphone you can use WiFi, and in lots of places you can find free Wifi to use.

VirginMobile did just start selling the iPhone, $35 for 300 mins with unlimited texting and data (they will throttle the data speed after a certain point). But do the math. In many cases buying an unlocked phone will be cheaper over the 2 years the contract would have run.

Most carriers will try to get you to sign up for a data plan with a smart phone even if you bring your own device. Especially the instore reps as they typically get commissions on each additional feature you add to your line, while the phone reps, not so much. On the phone you may be able to sign up for just a number, and then request a micro sim (AT&T/T-Mobile) and hope they don't push you on the data plan. But with Verizon/Sprint you may not have a choice as they will need the unique information from your phone to let it work on their network, and that will tell them its a smartphone.

 

[manning]

Iphone4s doesn't use a sim card

 

[HouseofMinnie]

Iphone4s doesn't use a sim card

AT&T and T-Mobile both use a SIM card. Depending on the model, it's a regular SIM or a micro Sim card. Verizon and all the other carriers in the US do not use the same networks as AT&T or T-Mobile so they do not have a SIM card.

 

[cw21726]

Iphone4s doesn't use a sim card

AT&T and T-Mobile both use a SIM card. Depending on the model, it's a regular SIM or a micro Sim card. Verizon and all the other carriers in the US do not use the same networks as AT&T or T-Mobile so they do not have a SIM card.

iPhone 4s is a world phone thus they all have SIM cards. Sprint and Verizon included.

 

[bdoyledimou]

The only benefit you get with purchasing an unlocked Iphone is being able to use it with any carrier that uses the same kind of network (GSM for AT&T/T-Mobile, CDMA for Verizon).

If you do a lot of international travel, an unlocked phone is essential -- you just make a stop at a carrier and purchase a non contract service (pay as you go or whatever) and swap the sim cards-- no roaming/international charges!

You CANNOT receive data without having a data plan, or being connected to wi-fi. You will require a data plan.

the good news is, with a non subsidized unlocked phone, you can shop around the carriers, and jump on any "deals" that may be offered.

 

[cglaura]

Virgin Mobile offers the iPhone now. It is crazy expensive, but in the long run I believe you pay less than with Verizon, etc.

Depending on how many voice minutes you need, the monthly plan could be as low as $35/month:

$35: 300 voice, unlimited txt & data. $30 if autopay

$45: 1200 voice, unlimited txt & data. $40 if autopay

$55: unlimited voice, txt & data. $50 if autopay

DD doesn't have the iPhone, but does have a smartphone w/ them (Optimus V). Been with VM for a very long time and have never had any issues with them.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell...hone.jsp?intcmp=p-hp-mps1-iphonelaunch-062812

ETA: added discount...you get $5 off/month if you sign up for autopay (instead of topping up manually)

 

[JB2K]

What can I do with an unlocked phone that I pay full price for.

For starters, you can pop-in a Straight Talk SIM card in that unlocked iPhone and pay $45 a month for everything (all while using the same AT&T network that others pay much more for).

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks everyone for your great info. It seems to boil down to Virgin Mobile or Straight Talk. Both choices are a better value than the current AT&T/Sprint/Verizon 2-year iPhone plan choices. Downside is buying a full price phone up-front, but this works for me.

VM is cheaper than ST, but you buy a full priced, locked phone from VM. You can have a mobile hotspot for $15 extra. Straight talk is unlimited everything, but no MH. You can use your own unlocked iPhone, there is value to that. And ST has a much better network.

Many things to consider... including, waiting for the iPhone 5.

 

[manning]

AT&T and T-Mobile both use a SIM card. Depending on the model, it's a regular SIM or a micro Sim card. Verizon and all the other carriers in the US do not use the same networks as AT&T or T-Mobile so they do not have a SIM card.

Salesman didn't give complete info. When I went from 3G to 4s he said the 4s didn't use SIM card. He failed to say the 4s used a micro-SIM card.

 

[mblaesing]

I just switched my brother's iPhone 3 from AT&T to a prepaid Go Phone plan. I just bought a Go Phone sim card on Ebay and activated it with AT&T Go Phone and just put it in my brother's phone. Worked great. I am going to port his number to Google Voice and then direct GV to his new number.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I was walking through the mall yesterday and I saw at Best Buy Mobile a sign saying"iPhone without a contract. I didn't go into the store, so I do not know the details. However, if you have a Best Buy or Best Buy Mobile around they could probably hook you up with something.

Cheapest route however is to probably buy used, then pop in a SIM card.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Salesman didn't give complete info. When I went from 3G to 4s he said the 4s didn't use SIM card. He failed to say the 4s used a micro-SIM card.

Yes, the iPhone 4S uses a micro SIM card.

OP, I'm still a bit confused as to why you are buying an unlocked phone. A new unlocked iPhone 4S costs many hundreds of dollars more than a locked phone. Do you really save enough not committing to a contract to make this worth it?

 

[POOHsie]

Yes, the iPhone 4S uses a micro SIM card.

OP, I'm still a bit confused as to why you are buying an unlocked phone. A new unlocked iPhone 4S costs many hundreds of dollars more than a locked phone. Do you really save enough not committing to a contract to make this worth it?

The idea was to get smartphone service without a contract. I have learned that Straight Talk no-contract service, where I bring in my own phone, can work with a refurbished, locked phone. If I get a refurbished AT&T iPhone, Straight Talk will put me on AT&T's network, without a contract. I am pretty sure this is what I'll do. You're right, after reading so many posts and looking up info on the internet, a full-price new phone is not required, an unlocked phone is not required, and a 2-year contract can be avoided. ST will work for a person like me, who will only use smartphone data very lightly.