Which cell phone option would you choose?

[Neesy228]

So, my cell phone died and I've narrowed my options down to two completely different phones: the iphone4 and a simple "quick messaging" (as AT&T calls it) phone with a slider keyboard. I won't get another phone again until my contract is up in two years.

Here's my internal debate:The messaging phone is very similar to the one I have now and it's probably sufficient enough for my current needs. It's obviously cheaper than the iphone because it doesn't require a data plan and the OOP cost to purchase is less ($20 for the texting phone, vs $99 for the refurb. iphone), so for those reasons, I lean toward the texting phone.

BUT, I like the features of the iphone and would probably use it if I had it - the bar code scanner, gps, keyring app, email, ipod etc....I also feel like with the pace of technology today (boy, that makes me sound old! ) that a smart phone is going to be become more the norm over the next couple of years and I'm going to be left feeling like I'm unable to use so many of the features that are becoming commonplace today.

So fellow budget board DISer's....do I go with the cheap option that suits my needs now or do I spend more for the better technology - knowing that I have two years til my next upgrade?

TIA for your opinions

ETA: My DH already has an iphone and DS has an itouch and we also have an ipad, so we have more apps than we can handle already! Which is also why I'm ruling out Andriod phones...makes no sense to go to a different platform at this point. So, it's all or nothing! Just need to decide which way to go - and that's the tough part...

 

[cbg1027]

I have a basic texting phone. My feeling is that I spend plenty of time on the internet at home on the computer, so why do I need to do it while I'm on the go as well.

There is an instance once a week where a situation comes up that I wish I had a smart phone and could quickly look something up on the web, but the 1 minute of thinking 'I wish I had a smart phone' is not worth that $30 more per month (plus the cost of the phone) to me.

This IS the budget board....so in that thinking I would advise you to go with the basic phone and save the money.

 

[Rainandlattes]

I would choose the iPhone 4, because I know I'd end up spending the money I would have saved on something useless. Do you have an iPod touch? If not at least you wouldn't need to purchase one in the near future. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone. Plus the camera takes great pictures and videos.

 

[taaren]

I'm surprised that there aren't any Android phones that you like. I looked at the Blackberrys when they came out and thought "no". Saw the iPhone, and said "pass". Finally when they came out with Android, it was cheaper than the iPhone both plan-and-initial-layout-wise, though definitely more expensive than a basic texting phone, and for us it was very much worth it.
It kind of depends on what your situation is too? Will the cost be spread out? One other thing that helped us decide is that several of my family members were looking at going to smart-phones from basic phones around the same couple of months. So we put 5 people on the plan and split the cost evenly so each person comes out to less than $50 month with discounts, etc. Still double what it used to cost us for a non-data plan, but it was a price we could live with.
Personally I wouldn't get an iPhone because all the apps cost, and there are comparable phones that are open-source. However, if you really want to know how much you would use an iPhone as compared to your basic service, you may want to just hang on to the phone you have currently for a few months, while trying out a refurbished (or rental if they have such things?) smart-phone on a no-contract service (there are many these days - in the Bay Area its MetroPCS, here in Hawaii its MobiPCS), so as to take it for a test drive before you make a long term commitment. While budgeting is important, so is getting good value out of something you use everyday.

 

[lucyem]

We were in the same boat. Our Verizon phones were on their last leg after 6 years of use. We had old style flip phones. The only difference is that I also had an ipod touch I used constantly. It is one of the first and starting to have issues with new programs and updates and it never had a speaker or camera. I should point out I am also a mac junkie In my case it made more sense to get the iphone. Also my husband is in the process of getting a new program at work that uses the iphone and ipad. We both got iphones. The monthly cost is certainly a sticker shock On the other hand it is certainly handy. We both use them all the time. I love only having to carry one thing with me whereas I always used to have the ipod & phone & speaker for the ipod. I spend a lot of time in the barn and have to have a phone on me. I always listen to music or audiobooks while in the barn. I use various aps daily from grocery lists to weather. We no longer have to travel with a laptop. Driving 23 hours to Disney there has been a couple of instances where we needed internet NOW and had to find a hotel where we could get free wifi from the parking lot. It certainly does get you to use more programs we do not need but are fun. I use the camera a lot. My husband went to Hawaii and was able to video chat with me on his phone and was able to show me where he was while I was able to show him the foot of snow we got that day. Both my husband and I are now using text messaging. Being able to check email anywhere is certainly handy

I guess my point is that either option can be good ones. It just depends on your needs and what you can afford.

 

[Tina]

Personally I wouldn't get an iPhone because all the apps cost, and there are comparable phones that are open-source.

Not so. I've had the Iphone since inception. I rarely pay for any apps - and I have TONS! The few apps I've paid for were in the $2.99 price range. Hardly a budget-buster. I love my iphone and honestly, could not imagine going back to life without it.

I have a friend who bought the Droid about 6 months ago and hated it. She returned it within 24 hours. She went back to using her clunky old phone until the iphone came to Verizon. She's now in love with her Iphone and, like me, couldn't imagine going back to a life without it.

So my vote is for the iphone!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would go with the iPhone4, which I personally own. It will be more expensive, but worth it in the long run and you'll be surprised how many uses it has. For example, Today I went to a nursery to buy a Japanese maple. None of the different varieties had leaves yet, so I was able to use my iPhone to quickly check the web for photos of the different kinds. Very handy!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

iPhone!!!

 

[Neesy228]

OP here....Thanks for the opinions so far! Would any/all of you with iphones mind telling me how much your cell bill went up when you upgraded? I would just get the $15 data plan...but are there other costs involved that I'm not aware of? We have a family plan and I'm the second line, if that makes any difference...

 

[crazelion]

I an be different so I would get with quick messaging phone. You can get internet on a quick messaging phone and texting for 20 bucks combine. It is unlimited too. A lot people is love with the iphone. I am not.

The quick messaging meets my needs. I have google maps, a lot apps, and ebooks games all for free. My phone is java base boy I love it.

If would go one is Motorla Atix that is 4g. That has true froyo on and it should be be able have honeycomb running on this summer.

 

[bridget]

I love my iphone4. I have the $15 data plan, and since I have wifi at home, I don't ever come close to the 200MB (I also don't watch you tube or download anything with my phone).

I have tons of free apps. It has all my music. My 70 year old dad got one and thinks it was worth it, just becuase he uses it everyday to check the weather and he plays games while waiting for dr. appointments

If you can afford the $15 a month plan, you won't regreat an iphone for a second! If you can't afford it, then I'd get what you can afford.

 

[Tina]

I'm grandfathered in on the old AT&T plans, so I'm not sure what the breakdown is now. I know my texting is separate. On my plan I can have none for free, 1500 text for $15 or unlimited for $20. My data plan is unlimited at $30. Your calling plan shoud be unchanged.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Not so. I've had the Iphone since inception. I rarely pay for any apps - and I have TONS! The few apps I've paid for were in the $2.99 price range. Hardly a budget-buster. I love my iphone and honestly, could not imagine going back to life without it.

I have a friend who bought the Droid about 6 months ago and hated it. She returned it within 24 hours. She went back to using her clunky old phone until the iphone came to Verizon. She's now in love with her Iphone and, like me, couldn't imagine going back to a life without it.

So my vote is for the iphone!

I'm going to have to disagree. I have had a android based phone for almost 2 years. I recently got an iPad. The cost of the apps for ipads and iphones vs. All the free ones for android phones is just crazy! Sure, there are free iPhone apps, but not the best ones.

Here's an example... Angry Birds..# 1 game in the US. Full version free in the android market but the free iPhone version only has a few levels. You have to buy the game for $4.99 to get the full version.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm going to have to disagree. I have had a android based phone for almost 2 years. I recently got an iPad. The cost of the apps for ipads and iphones vs. All the free ones for android phones is just crazy! Sure, there are free iPhone apps, but not the best ones.

Here's an example... Angry Birds..# 1 game in the US. Full version free in the android market but the free iPhone version only has a few levels. You have to buy the game for $4.99 to get the full version.

The great thing about the iTunes app market is just how deep it is. If you don't want to pay for an app, there is likely to be another app that does something similar that costs less. I went for over a year without paying for any app on my iphone and still had more apps than I would use on a regualar basis, so the OP does not have to worry about needing to spend money on apps.

The one app that Android does better is turn by turn navigation. Beyond that, the apps are either the same or iTunes has more options. For example, right now there are 20 apps which are specifically designed for the Android tablet and 65,000 for the iPad.

And according to BusinessWeek, any claim by Android to being "open" is apparently a thing of the past. And why most consumers would care is beyond me as well.

So while there are certianly some fine Android phones out there, I wouldn't buy one because "all Android apps are cheaper" or because "Android software is open." -- Suzanne