Why does the iPhone NEED a data plan?

[stevenpensacola]

I just updated my phone through Verizon and was told I HAD to get the data plan whether I wanted it or not. It's their new policy (effective in January). Had I updated my phone prior to January, I wouldn't of been forced to purchase the data plan for $9.99 per phone/month.

You need to be aware that the Verizon ($9.99) data plan has a limit on the amount of data you can transmit before they start charging you extra. If you view your account on-line, you can see how much of your "allowed" data you've used.

We recently upgraded several phones...I was none to pleased in HAVING to buy the "optional" data plan morons out in phone land were "accidentally" using data without knowing it, and were shocked when it showed up on their bill. Punish everyone for the mistakes of a few....

 

[DarthKTrava]

I'd rather pay a flat rate than get a sticker shock when my bill comes in....

I got the HTC Droid Eris and love it! I use it to check email while at work and view the BBC headlines too. Amongst other things. And I can also keep more frequent checks on my bank balance. I've been pretty happy with Verizon, the only carrier I've had the whole time I've had a cell phone.

Now if cell phone manufacturers can work on call CLARITY and BATTERY LIFE moreso than how many "bells and whistles" they can put on a phone.....

 

[clutter]

Texting yes, not texting pix.



Hmmm, that's weird! It's big talk amongst my friends...how annoying it its that none of them can send or receive text PIX to non-iPhone without the pix being diverted to a web address. We test it all the time, just in case.

Could it be that the recipients don't have internet access? I had to put it on my dd's phone so that she could send/receive picture texts. Unlimited texting is words only. I've sent pics (iPhone) to my dd (non-iPhone) plenty of times. But I couldn't unless I put data on HER phone.

OP, I agree with the majority. There's no reason to get an iPhone for just the phone. It's having access to email, internet and apps that makes it worthwhile.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

DH & I have never had issues with calls dropping or the clarity. Two close friends also have iPhones and they've never had issues either. The only time there has been an issue is when we enter a no-coverage area...and there are some of those spots in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma. Obviously it's going to depend on the coverage area...but from what I understand, it also depends on how heavily used the service is in a particular area.
As far as MMS goes...you can definitely send/receive picture texts without it going to a web address to pick it up. I do this quite frequently with my brother who not only has a different phone, but a different service provider as well.

Oklahoma must just have stellar signals. Never had dropped or garbled calls, either, and I've definitely made calls from Nowhere, OK (near Ft. Cobb) and the homestead in Anadarko, one step up from Nowhere.

 

[MichelleVW]

I was able to receive pics from iPhones before I got one, and I've been able to send them to non-iPhones.

Yep, I don't have an iphone and I get picture texts from you just fine!

To the OP, no way would I get an iphone without the data plan. My kids have the ipod touches and they use the internet on that all the time.

 

[wenrob]

Texting yes, not texting pix.



Hmmm, that's weird! It's big talk amongst my friends...how annoying it its that none of them can send or receive text PIX to non-iPhone without the pix being diverted to a web address. We test it all the time, just in case.

The 1st and 2nd generation had that issues but not the 3G and 3Gs.

 

[mking624]

Oklahoma must just have stellar signals. Never had dropped or garbled calls, either, and I've definitely made calls from Nowhere, OK (near Ft. Cobb) and the homestead in Anadarko, one step up from Nowhere.

Hey you're right by me! I'm in OKC. We were in Macomb for a few months and got 3G coverage out there (and I think Macomb was founded the same year Nowhere was )...which truly surprised us. Our friends live in Stigler which only has Edge...they've never had issues.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Yep, I don't have an iphone and I get picture texts from you just fine!

To the OP, no way would I get an iphone without the data plan. My kids have the ipod touches and they use the internet on that all the time.

You're actually the one of the examples I was thinking of when I was trying to figure out who had iPhones or didn't and I've sent pics to or received them from.

Hey you're right by me! I'm in OKC. We were in Macomb for a few months and got 3G coverage out there (and I think Macomb was founded the same year Nowhere was )...which truly surprised us. Our friends live in Stigler which only has Edge...they've never had issues.

Yea!! I love finding Okies on the boards! Yeah, I get Edge occasionally out in Anadarko, but often have 3G when traveling through SW OK.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

Data plans on Verizon only apply for 3G advanced phones and above, not all phones require a data plan. They actually break out their phones on their website between those that do and do not require data plans.

I saw the basic phones (which I already had), but wanted a phone with a keyboard to make texting easier. I got a 3G phone and had to pay for the data plan.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

You need to be aware that the Verizon ($9.99) data plan has a limit on the amount of data you can transmit before they start charging you extra. If you view your account on-line, you can see how much of your "allowed" data you've used.

We recently upgraded several phones...I was none to pleased in HAVING to buy the "optional" data plan morons out in phone land were "accidentally" using data without knowing it, and were shocked when it showed up on their bill. Punish everyone for the mistakes of a few....

I just learned how to text (yeah, I'm behind the times) and wanted a phone with a keyboard to make it easier. That's all I plan to do with it...just text and talk.

 

[imabrat]

Geeze, I was just asking. I talked with an AT&T employee who would not clarify why it needed the data plan. I asked if there were certain programs on the phone that were run 24/7, which is what I heard, but the rep wouldn't clarifry so I came to ask you guys.

I'd be getting an iPhone to keep my iTunes music and make my calls and texts in one place, which I was told was possible with the iPhone. I don't really care about the rest, but now since I've heard the quality as a phone sucks, I'm rethinking it.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DarthKTrava]

If it's anything like the Droid, it does a lot of stuff on the internet, hence the data plan. That was basically what my Verizon salesman said when I asked the same question for the Droid.