I received a notification from AT&T that I’m eligible to upgrade my phone. One of the phones I see they have offered is a refurbished 16 Gb iPhone on the 3G network for $150. That’s a tempting deal, even for a secondhand phone. On the other hand I’m happy with my current phone, a Samsung ZX20. It is also 3G, has wireless web, a video camera, can go on YouTube and AT&T’s video service. It’s also refurbished and has given me no problems over the last 2 years, so I’m not scared away from refurbished electronics. And I do pay for an unlimited data plan with my current phone, so paying for a data plan for the iPhone is within my budget.
So, with a refurbished phone and an extra data plan being essentially non-issues with me, should I get this phone? Or should I wait, since Apple is rumored to be bringing a new iPhone model to market this summer. I’d really like to see if they come out with a 32 Gb phone, but I don’t want to pass up what I see as a very good deal right now.
I find that typing on the iPhone (e.g., posting on the SDMB) is a really frustrating experience. But doing everything else (e.g., surfing the web, listening to music, voicemail) is pretty cool.
I’m currently a Verizon customer, but I bought a new iPod Touch recently. This thing is hands down the coolest handheld electronic device I’ve ever owned. Prior to owning the iTouch, I had been considering an iPhone, but saw no reason to switch since Verizon has plenty of feature phones (Blackberry Storm, LG Dare, etc.). However, having used this iTouch for a while, I’m jonesing for an iPhone more than ever now. I can see why it is the standard by which all other phones are judged. Simply the fact that I’d be missing out on the massive App Store by choosing a different phone is almost enough to lock me into an iPhone. Verizon’s days are numbered…(my contract doesn’t expire for another year…)
I gave my wife an iPhone for Christmas. She still maintains it is the best gift she has ever received, from anyone, and it never leaves her side. And I gotta tell ya, I want one too.
I love my iPhone. Most people do. I suggest that you go to an AT&T store and play with one of the floor models. You’ll know soon enough if you like it enough to get one. Rumor has it that there will be new models coming out in June or July. Best guess is that that means that there will be a 32 gig version and a better camera. The current camera is marginal.
I suggest you go to an Apple store and try one out;particularly the typing. I have tried it several times and I find it highly awkward to type on so I wouldn’t buy one. The camera isn’t too great either; no video and no autofocus which is a feature I use quite often to photograph text.
In general I don't really like a touch-only interface; I like physical keys not just for typing but for things like page down while surfing a web-site. Ultimately it all boils down to what you are comfortable with.
The iPhone does do some things really well; it's probably the best phone for viewing photos and video and the touch interface is one of the most responsive around.
I recently faced a similar situation and decided to wait… I have an iPod Touch which goes everywhere with me already, and so find the iPhone in its current form just a little big (specifically thick in comparison with the iPod). When you look at the way Apple products have historically evolved I’m reasonably confident that the next iteration will exceed expectations and be a truly wonderful device and so am happy to wait a little longer for something that I can use for the next two or more years without that constant nagging sense of regret that I hadn’t waited just a little longer. No doubt that the functionality and utility of the iPhone is second to none, I just don’t want to be saddled with a device that is so late in its life cycle.
Best piece of tech I own. And I own a LOT of tech.
WRT typing: the next software upgrade will introduce the ability to type in landscape mode in all applications, and the ability to switch from portrait to landscape typing on the fly. The is a MUCH needed upgrade, as typing in portrait mode is a pain in the ass.
I’d say take Lantern’s suggestion. Go and try it out. You’ll be hooked.
I think I’ll see what the new models bring, if any. The video camera is something I don’t want to give up, if the iPhone currently doesn’t have one. I’m used to typing with T9. I don’t use my phone to post to the Dope much, but I do use the calendar function to keep track of appointments. Any full keyboard has to be better than T9 or laboriously hitting keys several times for one letter. If Apple brings out new models, AT&T may discount more older models, too.
The iPhone has an incredibly polished, intuitive interface, tons of great apps, and as mentioned above, is the standard by which other phones are judged (at least in the US).
BUT
It doesn’t have a physical keyboard. So I wouldn’t get one.
I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t expect to do much typing beyond Dr. Payne @ 3:00 Friday.
And my birthday is coming up in two weeks, why not treat myself? And those apps all look cool, too. I’ll do some more thinking about it over the weekend.
I saw something on the news recently that hinted that Verizon may be getting their own version of the iPhone next year, once AT&T’s exclusive contract expires.
I got an iPhone a few months ago and absolutely love it. The touch keyboard works just fine for my fingers and the autocorrection is pretty good. Granted, I don’t type all that much more than short emails or texts, but even that would be irritating.
There are a lot of useful apps. And, some nonuseful fun ones. I haven’t paid for an app, yet. There is enough free stuff to please me.
If you are planning on going refurbished. I don’t know if you even need to wait for the new versions this summer. But,if you are happy with your phone and willing to wait a bit I am thinking in June they will have new iPhones. I know the new OS is coming out with some cool stuff. So, the new hardware is bound to have some improvements, as well. So, it might be worth waiting to see what they have.
I agree with others who said to go to an Apple store or an ATT store to play with one. I did the same expecting to be convinced it wasn’t worth the trouble. But, 15 minutes in each store sold me.
If you want a similar phone with a real keyboard look at the G1 from T Mobile. It’s based on the Android OS which is a Linux variant for phones so it’s open source. There will be other phones based on Android out later this year. (The G1 is often called a Google phone since Google develops Android)
I have one and I really like it. I wouldn’t plan on doing a lot of typing on it, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to do more on a Blackberry either. For surfing the internet, the Iphone works really well, better than any other phone I’ve played with. The apps are really cool, and you can find one for just about anything.
I have an 8gb phone which is more than enough for me. I don’t keep that much music on my phone and I never have. My wife has one as well, and she loves it a lot more than she thought she would.
I’d say get one and make sure you buy the app ShapeWriter. I absolutely hate the “keyboard”, but Shapewriter lets me compose normal emails pretty easily… The only thing I don’t like about it is it adds a message promoting itself at the end of emails…
Other than the typing, I couldn’t live without my iPhone.
I have one and I like it a lot. But as others have said, it’s not optimized for people who send a lot of emails. Something with a physical keyboard is better for that; my friend can slam out emails at about three times the typing rate on his Blackberry than I can on the soft keyboard on my iPhone. On the other hand, the iPhone is way better than the Blackberry at what I want to do with it…