# Should I get an iPhone? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060 "2009-05-02T03:17:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/21 "2009-05-03T03:44:58Z")
As a fairly recent Iphone convert, I must agree that you should get one immediately. ---
**Author:** ![hroark2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hroark2112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hroark2112)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/22 "2009-05-03T03:48:26Z")
I’ve been considering an Iphone, but coming from a Cingular 8125 with the slide-out keyboard I think I like the actual keys better than the on screen version. I’ll consider it with the next upgrade to try it again, but typing is tedious for those of us with fat fingers!!! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/23 "2009-05-03T06:14:15Z")
Anyone that knows me, knows I love my iPhone - it’s a great phone. This said, it has two major flaws for me: 1. No copy paste. 2. No text photos. You can only get from email. If someone does text you a picture, you get a message to go to a site wherein you have to put in 2 long codes to retrieve picture. Because there is no copy paste, you have to get a pen and paper to write codes down… Seriously Apple? I should have no use for a pen and paper with your phone. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/24 "2009-05-03T07:09:12Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > 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’ve heard possibly video phone capabilities. Friggin love mine. Can’t remember the phone number of a business you want to call? Hit the **Yellow Pages** app. Got to the store then forgot what kind of card your digital camera takes? Go on **Safari** and search for it. My mother said it was a godsend when she was in San Francisco for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/25 "2009-05-03T08:30:54Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > Anyone that knows me, knows I love my iPhone - it’s a great phone. > This said, it has two major flaws for me: > > 1. No copy paste. > **2. No text photos. You can only get from email. If someone does text you a picture, you get a message to go to a site wherein you have to put in 2 long codes to retrieve picture. Because there is no copy paste, you have to get a pen and paper to write codes down… Seriously Apple? I should have no use for a pen and paper with your phone.** #2 is another one that makes me hesitate. My brother is always texting me pictures of his grandkids. He doesn’t own a computer and couldn’t be bothered to remember my email address, so texting them from his camera phone is the way to go short of snail mail. Edit: however, those are supposed to be coming in the next [OS upgrade,](http://www.crn.com/mobile/215901046;jsessionid=C0VX3MIRS1N1GQSNDLPSKH0CJUNN2JVN) due this summer, so maybe I’ll just buy it now and upgrade it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/26 "2009-05-03T12:13:58Z")
Also, what’s included in the box with the iPhone? Earbuds? A charger? Do I need to buy an adapter if I want to use AC to charge it? What extras would you suggest I buy so I have everything I need? ---
**Author:** ![Duhkecco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Duhkecco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duhkecco)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/27 "2009-05-03T13:01:59Z")
What’s in the box? From Apple’s website [http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html:](http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html:) > [@](#): > > iPhone 3G > Stereo Headset with mic > Dock Connector to USB Cable > USB Power Adapter > Documentation > Cleaning/polishing cloth > SIM eject tool And, you could get a case, a Bluetooth headset, external speakers, a car adapter (for charging the iPhone or for connecting to your car’s stereo), and a lot more. Here’s Apple’s list of iPhone accessories: [http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html#accessories](http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html#accessories). Here are a lot more choices: [http://www.iphoneaccessories.com/](http://www.iphoneaccessories.com/) And, there are thousands (perhaps over 25,000) applications available at the [App Store.](http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore/). ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/28 "2009-05-03T18:00:36Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > 1. No copy paste. > 2. No text photos. You can only get from email. If someone does text you a picture, you get a message to go to a site wherein you have to put in 2 long codes to retrieve picture. Because there is no copy paste, you have to get a pen and paper to write codes down… Seriously Apple? I should have no use for a pen and paper with your phone. Both of these will be fixed in the 3.0 software update coming in a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/29 "2009-05-03T18:41:57Z")
Don’t forget the cool new [dialling interface](http://lux.vu/blog/2008/07/27/iphone-rotary-dialer/) and [handset](http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/) you can get to round out your iPhone system! ---
**Author:** ![Daffyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daffyd/32/8923_2.png) [@Daffyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daffyd)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/30 "2009-05-03T18:50:31Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Don’t forget the cool new [dialling interface](http://lux.vu/blog/2008/07/27/iphone-rotary-dialer/) and [handset](http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/) you can get to round out your iPhone system! I’ve got the dialer… But **DARN** I want that handset! Sometimes I don’t know why I’m such a technogeek, since I **love** retro even more. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/31 "2009-05-03T20:06:23Z")
> [@Duhkecco](#): > > What’s in the box? From Apple’s website [http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html:](http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html:) > And, you could get a case, a Bluetooth headset, external speakers, a car adapter (for charging the iPhone or for connecting to your car’s stereo), and a lot more. > > Here’s Apple’s list of iPhone accessories: [http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html#accessories](http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html#accessories). > Here are a lot more choices: [http://www.iphoneaccessories.com/](http://www.iphoneaccessories.com/) > And, there are thousands (perhaps over 25,000) applications available at the [App Store.](http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore/). So, to answer my question, there’s NO AC adapter? I would need to buy one if I wanted to charge it using house current? ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/32 "2009-05-03T20:10:56Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > So, to answer my question, there’s NO AC adapter? I would need to buy one if I wanted to charge it using house current? There is an AC adapter. It comes with a USB to Iphone cable. And, there is an adapter that you plug this cable to that plugs into the wall socket. So, out of the box, you can charge with the computer or you can charge from the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Astral\_Rejection](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/33 "2009-05-03T20:22:10Z")
I found it very difficult to type on the iPhone when I first bought it (about eight months ago). In two months, I was typing like a pro. You’ll learn the muscle memory needed to type competently on the phone pretty quickly. Something I haven’t seen mentioned yet is the excellent auto-correct software built in to the system. I used to go back and fix every mistake as I made it, but lately I’ve been typing as fast as possible and letting auto-correct fix my mistakes. On the whole, it does an EXCELLENT job, and I rarely have to make corrections myself. ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/34 "2009-05-03T22:09:44Z")
I played with a friends Iphone, and while it was nice, count me as one of the people that loves buttons. Pros - Has hands down the best screen I’ve ever seen on a phone as far as relative size/clarity goes. great for watching movies. - App store is pretty nifty and easy to use. - Pretty sleek and stylish. - Scads of attachments/upgrades/cases etc Cons - No microSD card slot. 16gb cards are available now for under $50, and 8gb cards for under $20. Meanwhile, the 16gb Iphone is $100 more than the 8gb. - No user replaceable battery. In a few years, as battery tech evolves, this may not be a bad thing, but right now, L-ion batteries degrade fairly rapidly, and rather than replacing your battery yourself, you have to go without a phone for a week or two. - Quantity and quality of apps is really little different than windows mobile devices… App store just makes it easier to get. Apple does not have a stellar record in the app store either, and will deletes many programs that compete with their own, or that they find distasteful, etc. - ITunes is a requirement for listening to music afaik.(this may not be a con for all people, but I really just prefer dragging and dropping folders and hate all syncing software). - Apple = overpriced. Its a good product, but you can generally get all the same features for significantly less when dealing with apple, be it macs, ipods, or iphones. Quality is good, but you are also paying quite a bit for a name. I wouldn’t mind an Iphone, but there is better stuff out there, for less money, so I went that route. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/35 "2009-05-04T14:59:10Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > 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 used to be a smartphone / Blackberry and Cingular 8125 user. When it was time for an upgrade I shopped around and originally rejected the iPhone in favor of the AT&T Tilt for the reason you mentioned above. I hated the typing on the iPhone. After about two weeks with the Tilt, I returned it and got the iPhone because it was such a pain to use the keyboard. I find the keyboard on the iPhone really nice now, and don’t have any problems with it. I prefer it way more than any previous smartphone I’ve ever had. If I had one complaint about it, it would be that not all iPhone apps allow you to use the keyboard in landscape mode. That’s not really that big of a deal though. I use my iPhone WAY more than any smartphone I’ve ever owned. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/36 "2009-05-06T04:39:31Z")
Well, thanks everybody for your replies. I’ve decided to pull the trigger and I ordered a refurbished iPhone 16GB. I decided to get one now, because if Apple does introduce new models, it may be a couple of years before I could afford one, anyway. The big objections to the iPhone: the lack of copy and paste and no MMMS messages are going to be addressed in the next OS upgrade, so I’ll do that when it’s available. I also picked up a nice [case with cord storage](http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/accessory-details/?q_categoryid=&q_sku=sku980650&q_manufacturer=apple&q_model=prod3090241). I wanted stereo Bluetooth headphones also. I found out the iPhone doesn’t support stereo Bluetooth natively, but I picked up a [Sony transmitter](http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bluetooth-Wireless-Transmitter-Black/dp/B000XRW09Y/ref=pd_sim_e_3). I ascertained it does work with the iPhone and also picked up a [Jabra Bluetooth headset](http://www.amazon.com/BT8010-Bluetooth%C2%AE-Headset-Attachable-Speaker/dp/B000PIT02Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241574127&sr=8-1) to stream music and phone calls. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/37 "2009-05-06T05:15:27Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Well, thanks everybody for your replies. I’ve decided to pull the trigger and I ordered a refurbished iPhone 16GB. I decided to get one now, because if Apple does introduce new models, it may be a couple of years before I could afford one, anyway. The big objections to the iPhone: the lack of copy and paste and no MMMS messages are going to be addressed in the next OS upgrade, so I’ll do that when it’s available. > > I also picked up a nice [case with cord storage](http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/accessory-details/?q_categoryid=&q_sku=sku980650&q_manufacturer=apple&q_model=prod3090241). > > I wanted stereo Bluetooth headphones also. I found out the iPhone doesn’t support stereo Bluetooth natively, but I picked up a [Sony transmitter](http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bluetooth-Wireless-Transmitter-Black/dp/B000XRW09Y/ref=pd_sim_e_3). I ascertained it does work with the iPhone and also picked up a [Jabra Bluetooth headset](http://www.amazon.com/BT8010-Bluetooth%C2%AE-Headset-Attachable-Speaker/dp/B000PIT02Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241574127&sr=8-1) to stream music and phone calls. Bluetooth stereo support will be included in the 3.0 software rev, among other things. Declan ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/38 "2009-05-06T08:05:13Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Bluetooth stereo support will be included in the 3.0 software rev, among other things. > > Declan D’oh! I knew I should have checked that out. I sent a message to the seller of the Bluetooth adapter.. I hope they’ll consent to cancel the order. ---
**Author:** ![JackofHearts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8c91f0/32.png) [@JackofHearts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackofHearts)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/39 "2009-05-06T21:15:17Z")
I am a user since the release of the 3G and love it. I seem to be in a minority, but I type faster on the iPhone keyboard that I did on the Treo I had before it. If you get used to it and learn to let the autocorrect do its thing, I think its really easy to type fast and accurately. I have been playing around with the beta releases of the new OS, 3.0. I have to say thus far, as of beta 4, I am really impressed. Copy and paste works as well as I’ve seen on any phone (while you may argue that it should have been there from the start, they really did it well, using the iPhone interface effectively). MMS (the aforementioned picture texting) is not enabled yet for the beta, nor is tethering to a laptop, but both features are included and supported by 3.0. For me, though, THE killer feature (other than the speculated upon video recording which will probably need new hardware) is the A2DP bluetooth. Wireless streaming audio is a godsend in the gym, and the interaction with my bluetooth enabled head unit in my car is flawless. The sound quality is better than I could have hoped for, and the seamless transition from calls to music and back is awesome. I know some of these features have been standard on other phones for ages, but when combined with all the things the iPhone does well already make this a pretty hard act to match. The biggest thing I am hoping for with the new hardware is a major capacity bump, so it can truly act as a single device ipod. So yeah, I can safely say I recommend the iPhone… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060/40 "2009-05-09T08:54:55Z")
Well, my iPhone came today. I got it activated and synched with iTunes okay. After putting some music on it, I’ve started playing around with it. I’m typing this on it. It’s very interesting and does take a little bit of getting used to. I find myself hitting the spacebar accidentally quite a few times. But the auto-correct feature works quite well, which is fortunate, since I have pretty fat thumbs. I even downloaded one of the rotary dialer apps, which is quite fun. I even learned how to make free ringtones. I’m going to load some more music on this, then tomorrow I’m going to download the OS3 beta and play around with it some more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-an-iphone/495060.md?page=3)