I think I’m finally ready to accept the holy spirit of Jobs into my heart, and break down and buy a smart phone. I’m in a good spot financially to afford one and I’ve had the same phone for about four years now. It’s not like I’m that unhappy with my old phone - it does what a phone is supposed to do - but it’s a pain in the ass for anything else. Texting is maddening, I can’t email on it, the usual … it’s just time for old Jack to upgrade. Besides, my iPod is dying and I don’t have a decent digital camera, so why not kill three birds with 2 c-notes. But I digress …
Who has experience upgrading from kick-and-play to state of the art? I’m with Verizon, and I haven’t taken advantage of any upgrades in four years, and I’ve been with them for about 6 years. What kind of deal might I expect to haggle for?
On the surface, I’m looking at about $200 an iPhone 4S and then I think it’s $40 for voice plan, $10 for 1000 texts and $30 dollar for data. That’s rockbottom according to the Verizon site. Sound about right?
Anyone know of any deals out there for a poor soul like me who doesn’t know what the fuck he’s doing when it comes to smart phones?
All that should get you… approximately nothing. You want an iPhone 4S? It’ll cost you list price. The rockbottom prices you quote sound right, but don’t expect any ‘loyal customer’ discount or anything.
Just to throw a monkey wrench into your plans, I’d like to recommend a Droid unit. I’ve been an Apple guy since college (late '80’s) and couldn’t be happier with my Droid Incredible (18 months, so far). My wife and kids have iPod Touches and occasionally they ask me to do things for them on it, and I’m always frustrated that I can’t do it as easily or as logically as I can on my phone, which was free (Free Phone Fridays at Best Buy). My siblings and plenty of friends have iPhones and I’m pretty familiar with them, but I just don’t see the reason to pay such a premium over the going rate for a Droid unit.
I’m with Verizon too and just got my first smart phone. I didn’t get any special deals and I’ve been a customer for years as well. I paid $299.00 plus tax (on $900.00, the actual value of the phone).
I wanted an iphone, but since my business computer isn’t a mac, I went with an LG Spectrum. I’ve only had it a few days and can’t get my wifi at home to work yet, so I can’t really give you much in the way of a review. However, while researching the issue, this model seems to have scored well in comparison to the droid razor, which is another popular model. For whatever that’s worth.
Learning this phone makes me feel stupid and old though. Dag nabbit.
I recently upgraded from a seriously outdated brick straight to a smartphone. Love. It. Thought I wanted an iPhone but couldn’t justify the cost, and have been very happy with my Droid.
ETA: also was a years-long customer and got no special deals for it. This ain’t the fifties, Jack.
Just as a counterpoint, I definitely don’t think you need a Mac to take full advantage of an iPhone. I use PCs at home and work, but went from a dumb-phone to an iPhone since I had an iPod for music, and have been very happy. I use my iPad 2 at work and home, and own an iPhone 4S. I’m on AT&T.
I’ve been doing a little on-line shopping/research and I have to say, the Droid 4 or the Droid Razor do look like nifty little fuckers. I may just smite the spirit of Jobs after all.
Go to your friendly Verizon store and play with a few of the phones on display. Buy the one that you like best. You can’t really tell until you have one in your hands.
This. A phone that may look like it has all the features you need may have with difficult-to-press buttons, or be the wrong size for your hands, or have an interface that doesn’t match the way you think, or require a different computer than yours to be updated, or any number of things. There is no substitute for trying before buying.
If you want to save the $200 cost of the phone and are willing to commit to a 2 year contract and get last year’s model, you can get a free iPhone 3G.
It doesn’t have all the whistles and bells of the 4S, but it’s an awesome phone and will save you the $200. I have had mine for about 8 months and I cannot live without it. In addition to the incredible camera (better than the digital I used to use), built in iPod, email, and internet access where ever I am, I have also become addicted to the calendar, to-do list, clock (it has replaced my alarm clock) and the map feature. It’s an amazing phone and you can still get them for free, since everyone else wants the newest version.
I’d say go with the iPhone 4s if you can afford it. You will not be let down.
We have all kinds of phones in our home: one kid just got a new Android-based device, the other has a new Blackberry. I have the latest iPhone, and I gave the 3s to my wife.
The other phones just don’t feel the same.
I have tried a few Android phones (not sure what models) when friends have been over and have been unimpressed. They have all the neat apps and such, but lack the buttery smoothness of the UI response that the iPhone has always had.
My wife is the poster child of the “I just want a phone” crowd, disdainful of all things computer related—she fell in love with it from the first day, Skyping to Brazil, doing Facebook, texting, checking her email, looking up stuff online while in a store, and so many other things.
As others have said, go into the store and handle each device. You will know which one is the right one for you.
An added plus: they finally cut the computer cord—you no longer need to hook up your iPhone to a computer at all, it backs itself up nightly to the cloud for free. I think Android phones do this too, but it’s still a pretty cool feature.
I have to disagree, it’s not just a “bells and whistles” difference - the guts are totally different, and light years apart in terms of performance. The 4S is a dual-core, and lightning fast compared to the 3G. If the 3G can even upgrade to the OS5, it certainly can’t run it smoothly. My old 3GS had trouble with OS4.
One other point to bring up in Apple vs Android is whether the OP will be looking for all wifi usage or if the OP will be using the cellular network for internet. I can’t be bothered looking for wifi, so always just used the 3G cellular network for my internet usage. It comes into play for two things: the data package doesn’t matter and you can buy the smallest one if most of your internet use will be wifi; and the iPhone is only 3G if you’re planning to use the cellular network. The latest model Androids (Razor and Galaxy-type direct rivals to iPhone) use the 4G network, which is really, really fast. I have a GalaxyS2 with AT&T, and it’s faster on the cellular network than my friend’s 4S by a long shot. I know this because he was all smug until I “raced” him to show him why I chose Android after I was so disappointed with the 4S release. (I had a 3GS and was salivating, waiting for the iPhone 5. Sad panda)
I’m really happy I chose the GalaxyS2 over the iPhone 4s - this time around (since October) - but that doesn’t mean I won’t take another look at an iPhone if they step it up a few more notches with the next release! If they step it up, I’ll be glad to go back to iPhone, but the screen will have to be an inch bigger, and the cellular data connection has to be the next generation.
This. I love love love my iPhone and I’m happy with AT&T. This is coming from someone who got dragged into the cell phone culture. Whiz-bang aside, it’s a very powerful tool.
Well, if you’re set on Verizon and you’re trying to narrow down the zillion Android phones, this link should help a lot. (It’s all Verizon Android phones that are rated 4-stars or more. The “Editor’s Choice” are the way to go, IMO.)
Some hands-on time at the store is good too, but there are only so many things you can judge with a few minutes time playing with a display model. There’s also the factor that they sometimes try to push certain models on you at the stores. Either they try to sell you the most expensive one, or the ones they are trying to get rid of because nobody wants them.
Also, if you want to save some money: here’s a recent thread on how to get a smartphone without spending too much.
The trigger has done been pulled. I am now the proud owner of an Android RAZR, 16gb-type.
I got a pretty decent deal. I got $30 for trading in my old phone and I had a $50 credit on my account so after all is done and said, I got the phone and a nice case for it for a total out of pocket of $150-ish. Plus, with my new company discount, adding the data plan doesn’t really make my monthly bill that much higher than it’s been.
So, I think I made out pretty well, when it comes right down to it.
Now I just have to figure out how to use the friggin’ thing and I’ll be all hip and shit.
Jack’s already made up his mind, but I really disagree with this advice. The resale value of new iphones are ridiculously stable. Two years from now, a 4S will sell for at least $200 on ebay/craigslist (an iPhone 4 currently goes for over $300 these days on ebay), while a 3G will maybe get $25. Add in the improved features of a 4S, and the decision is a no-brainer.
This wasn’t my experience. I hadn’t upgraded in a few years and got an iphone 4g for $50. I spent another $50 on a case and screen protectors. Total bill was $100. It added $30 to my bill for the data plan. ETA that this was with Verizon
One post-purchase piece of advice. You will find yourself wondering, “Is my phone defective, or is the battery supposed to drain that quickly?” It is the latter. Life with a smartphone just means plugging it in as much as possible, especially with a 4G. Invest in an extra recharger for the office.