Are iphones really "worth" it?

[Jasongar8]

Im looking for a new phone. I am already with AT&T and am pretty happy with the service. I think the only advantage to the iphone is being able to get on the "real" internet and the music, but I already have a Ipod. Its going to cost me $30 more a month for the internet service plus the cost of the phone. So what do you guys with iphones think? Should I go for it? Are they worth the extra cost?

-Jason G

[Guest db99wj]

Im looking for a new phone. I am already with AT&T and am pretty happy with the service. I think the only advantage to the iphone is being able to get on the "real" internet and the music, but I already have a Ipod. Its going to cost me $30 more a month for the internet service plus the cost of the phone. So what do you guys with iphones think? Should I go for it? Are they worth the extra cost?

-Jason G

Don't have one, but have a lot of friends that do. The apps, some are hokie, some are cool, some are useful, and some are freak'n amazing. The song identifier one is great, the one that you can play like a flute, and play with others (and hear others playing) from around the world...

I know, I didn't help.

[Guest sgtrutledge]

My wife and I love ours to me its like always having very easy to use computer,ipod,etc with me. Alot of apps make things fast and easy to get to. Only compliant I have is my 3g service is spotty at my house.

[G27]

I paid $600 for mine the day they came out and don't regret it one bit, so in my estimation the newer (more capable yet cheaper) ones are beyond worth it. I'm able to run my entire business anytime, anywhere with this phone - something I never dared dream possible before...

[BrandonTN]

I pay $27/month for Sprint SERO unlimited everything service...so, no, I will never give that up for an iPhone. However, if I was already with AT&T and wanted to drop that much money a month for a phone, then I would consider it. Right now my Palm Treo does everything I need it to do.

[Guest TurboniumOxide]

Free entertainment like the Guntalk podcast make it a no-brainer. I have had all three generations; I am a developer so I pretty much had to. They rock, especially the latest with the video and voice commands. I also have a first generation gathering dust that I would be willing to give up. I have a tivo and with tivo2go you can transfer and downscale your TV shows and put them into iTunes automatically. Worth every penny.

[Guest sgtrutledge]

I had a treo and like the pre I am lil bit of a cell phone junkie. But until you try a iphone you just don't understand . I say you do the 15 day trial and if you dont like it take it back that way you will know and your not out a bunch of $$$$.

[nolo]

I paid $600 for mine the day they came out and don't regret it one bit, so in my estimation the newer (more capable yet cheaper) ones are beyond worth it. I'm able to run my entire business anytime, anywhere with this phone - something I never dared dream possible before...

I just upgraded to the new 3Gs. It is noticeably much faster than the 2g phone. I think it is worth the money, especially when you consider that you can get one through ATT for $99. I paid $199 for the new 3Gs. It is worth every penny.

[BrandonTN]

I had a treo and like the pre I am lil bit of a cell phone junkie. But until you try a iphone you just don't understand . I say you do the 15 day trial and if you dont like it take it back that way you will know and your not out a bunch of $$$$.

Yea, but the initial phone cost aside, how much a month is it for unlimited texting and data for an iphone?

[nolo]

Yea, but the initial phone cost aside, how much a month is it for unlimited texting and data for an iphone?

I pay $40.

[USMCJG]

I don't have an iPhone myself, but I was talking to a guy at the range a while back that had a shot timer app for his. Almost made me want one. Apparently you can even get ballistics calculator apps for them too, but I haven't seen those or know anyone who has used one.

[BrandonTN]

I pay $40.

You must be on an old plan or some type of employee plan like I am. I just went to AT&Ts site and set up an iPhone that totalled $90/month for service.

That is unlimited texting (included in my SERO), data plan (unlimited included in my SERO) and 450 minutes (I get 500 w/ SERO). That doesn't look like it includes any type of protection insurance either.

To me, an extra $60.month would not be worth it...that is $1440 more over the life of a 2 year contract. Yes, the iPhone looks sweet, but not that sweet, IMO.

[G27]

My plan is the same as it was before I had the iPhone, plus $20/month for the iPhone service (unlimited data).

[nolo]

You must be on an old plan or some type of employee plan like I am. I just went to AT&Ts site and set up an iPhone that totalled $90/month for service.

That is unlimited texting (included in my SERO), data plan (unlimited included in my SERO) and 450 minutes (I get 500 w/ SERO). That doesn't look like it includes any type of protection insurance either.

To me, an extra $60.month would not be worth it...that is $1440 more over the life of a 2 year contract. Yes, the iPhone looks sweet, but not that sweet, IMO.

You just asked how much the data and the unlimited texting was. It is $40.

[BrandonTN]

They must have raised their prices b/c iPhone data is now a required $30 and texting is $20 + the actual "minutes" plan.

Sorry for not being more clear.

I think the cheapest "everything plan" from Sprint is $69 now, so if I was starting fresh, I may consider an extra $20/month for the iPhone. But the plan I am locked in on now, I just personally can't see it being worth the additional monthly cost.

[bukowski548]

Jason go get one tomorrow. Or at least order one. I'm not a gadget guy, but I've had mine 4 days now,and it's definitely love. I use it constantly. Hell it's a great little game machine, camera, video camera, internet, with a phone attatched!

buk

[Jasongar8]

Ive already got unlimited text and data, I called them and they told me that if I got the iphone it would add $30 a month for the iphone internet. Buk how many GB did you go with?

-Jason G

[TripleDigitRide]

They are cool, but I've decided to go with Sprint's Palm Pre. I have Unlimited Everything (Minutes, Text, Data, Etc) for far less than the iPhone.

The only real advantages I can find with the iPhone are the video camera and tons of apps. I would like a video camera, but it's not a deal breaker. And it won't be long before there are tons of apps for the Pre. Plus, the Pre can do lots of things the iPhone can't. The videos are worth a look.

Like I said, the iPhone is great, but not enough to justify the extra money for the type of plan I require.

[bukowski548]

We got the 16 gig phones. I've downloaded all the music I have and probably 2 dozen apps and God knows how many pics, and I've still got 9 gigs left. Go to the itunes store and check out all the aps. There are thousands that are free.

I can even check TGO wherever I am!

buk

[Mike]

I absolutely love my iPhone. The 3.0 software fixed all the things I didn't like about it. I'm considering getting the new 3gs version if I can find a good deal on one.

[BrokeEnthusiast]

I absolutely love my iPhone. The 3.0 software fixed all the things I didn't like about it. I'm considering getting the new 3gs version if I can find a good deal on one.

I wouldn't do that, the benefits don't outweigh the costs in my opinion. I plan to stay with my 3G iphone

[Guest jos2f]

If you're looking at a new plan anyways, iphones aren't *that* much higher than equal's on Tmobile's G1 Android based, or Sprints Pre (unlimited minutes for Sprint, limited on Tmobile and ATT).

I swear all these companies are in fixed pricing agreements with each other. You can't find phone+unlimited texting+unlimited web for less than $80/month.

[memphismason]

I was an Iphone hater (its cool to be a rebel), until I bought my wife a first gen from a member here. After that I bought myself the new 3gs, and even bought my wife a 3g from a friend who upgrade to a 3gs.

So in a matter of a month and a half I have bought all three different models.

It is definitely worth the money. There is no phone out there that can touch this one. The Google phone and the Fuse come in second, but I think it will be a little while before anyone surpases the iphone.

[Guest c.a.s.]

It's entirely up to you, you're the only one that can decide if the iphone is worth it to you.

My PERSONAL opinion is that they aren't really worth it--there are more capable options. There are better carriers. I would mildly consider it if it wasn't ONLY on ATT (they ALREADY gouge us on our plain cell service).

Jos, I think you're right about that.

MemphisMason: Why do you say there are no other phones that can touch it? The equivalent options are generally just as, if not MORE capable, because of basic features that are restricted by the OS, such as multitasking. The Iphone has been out the longest, and has had the most exposure. Even though Apple CHARGES developers, they have the largest community because of this. I don't think it will be long before the open-source and and more open-environment phones start to pick up to the same userbase and developer capability.

Edited July 21, 2009 by c.a.s.

[Jasongar8]

Is there anything different about the iphone texting plans? On the at&t site it says "iphone text messaging" as a recommended option. Is there any difference in the unlimited text plan I have now and the "iphone unlimited texting plan"?

-Jason G