The iPhone seems pretty cool, but the initial costs and monthly fees seem pretty high. Is it worth it?
I’ve also looked at the Blackberry storm and new Palm (online only) and really don’t think either one can match it. Should I wait for a valid iPhone competitor?
If you’re going to use it, then it’s worth the price. I’ve got a BlackBerry Curve and I love it. I have maps, email, the Internet, and assorted widgets and what not.
I’m waiting for the next generation-due sometime this summer. I’ve played with one of the current generations, and it’s pretty darn cool, but why get one that’ll be surpassed soon?
If you don’t just need to have it now, I’d recommend waiting at least a year. The exclusive contract with AT&T ends next summer. Depending on how negotiations fall out there could be a lot of options opening up.
It’s worth every dime. The initial cost of my 16gig was $299, and my monthly bill is $85 which includes data and texting. I don’t talk a whole lot or text a whole lot and my 400 minutes and 200 texts covers me just fine. I was paying the same monthly amount for the same kind of plan on my Nextel. You know what I don’t miss at all??? The touch to talk.
It’s so much more than a phone.
The palm should hit stores in about 2 weeks, they go on sale on june 6. If you can wait until the palm hits normal retail levels, then check out the unit physically before making a decision.
As well, the blackberry storm2 is also slated to arrive over the summer and is supposed to have an upgraded OS, wireless and a thiner profile than the 1.
Of all the competitors , the sprint Palm is the one that has apple concerned the most , so its likely to be its competitor for the foreseable future.
Declan
Check out the Samsung Omnia. I got one just over a week ago and am very happy with it. I showed it to a friend with an iPhone and now he wants one, too.
I ruled out an iPhone when I went shopping because the battery changing issue totally turned me off.
I haven’t regretted my iPhone purchase once. And, the more i use it and the more apps I find the more I like it.
My monthly fee is about 20 dollars more than it was with a standard phone and it is really worth every penny. I haven’t had any complaints about the service or the phone and I have had it for about 2 months.
I agree with the others it is worth waiting and playing with the Google Phone (Whatever the next version coming this summer is called. Or the current one.) The Palm Pre and the new Blackberry Storm. Hands on will really tell you which you like best.
I have some doubts about the Palm Pre living up to the hype. I always do when there are reports about how great something is months beforehand, but not much info from the company. But, I am ready to be proved wrong on the 6th. (I am glad Best Buy is offering instant rebates. I thought the idea that they were trying to sell the phone with a rebate to match the iPhone was a mistake, since a lot of people know the evil of rebates. Best Buy saved the day on that one.)
The new storm might be pretty cool. They made some mistakes with the first phone, yet I think it is a pretty nifty device. With an upgrade in the OS, and the already solid Blackberry email handling this next version might shine.
I love the google phone. (G1) and thought about getting it. But, T Mobile’s network service just wasn’t good enough for my area.
I think what makes the google phone and the iPhone shine is the amount of apps available. We’ll see with the Pre. But, the Storm doesn’t have the intimidating amount that the other two offer.
It really comes down to which service provider has the best network in your area, I think. Personally, I find the iPhone best. But, if tMobile had a better network than att I would have no problem using the G1. I wouldn’t be as quick to switch to the Pre or the new Storm. Simply because they haven’t proved themselves yet.
Is the data unlimited? I would think it would be hard to track how much web surfing one has done. If so, I find it very odd that there’s not unlimited texting but there is unlimited ichat.
If you want a phone, then the iPhone is pretty great but if you want a mobile computing platform, the iPhone is pretty much unsurpassed. The breadth and quality of apps is unrivaled, simply because that’s where all the developer energy is being focused right now. Don’t believe the hype about how the android or the palm pre is going to start matching it, most mobile developers are focusing exclusively on the iPhone.
That being said, I would at least wait a few more weeks for the announcement of the new iPhones before making a decision.
:::Moderator scratches head::: I’m not sure what forum this belongs in, I don’t see how it connects to Cafe Society (it’s not about “entertainment,” is it? well, sort of indirectly, maybe, but…) So I’m moving it to IMHO forum, since you’re looking for opinions on whether a product is worth the cost.
depends on what you want? Do you want a pocket pc, a phone that can surf the web, a music player with a phone on it, a phone with a camera, ad nauseum. You need to give a few details about what is important to you.
The Google Android is at least 2 or 3 years behind the pack in terms of functionality.
I’m 100% happy with mine. I use it all the time. If you’re okay with being addicted to a mobile computer device, go for it. Definitely worth it for the amount I use it.
The iPhone is a life-changing device.
Really.
It completely changed our behaviors on vacation.
Lost? Use Google Maps.
Where to eat? Urbanspoon.
What’s their menu like? Safari.
etc…
I don’t know about AT&T but I just got my first Blackberry and T-Mobile’s Blackberry plan is like that. Twenty five dollars for unlimited data plus 400 text messages. But you can use the Blackberry Messenger and it wont count against your text messages.
Of course you can only use to contact someone else with a Blackberry. Can you only use iChat to contact someone with an iPhone?
Yes the data is unlimited. You can buy unlimited texting, but I don’t know how much more that is per month. My 200 texts is $5.
Check out the Blackberry Bold. I like it.
Also, I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the touchscreen on the Storm.
I lovelovelove my iPhone. I cannot imagine moving to another platform now.
Ever.
The iPhone is the most amazing and wonderful thing I have ever owned.
I hate to sound like a fan-boy but my iPhone is worth so much more than I paid for it or the monthly charges. It sounds stupid to my own ears but it is true - as hajario said, it is the most amazing and wonderful thing I have ever owned.
MeanJoe