I Phone users, is it worth it?

[SARLDO 0]

Now that the new G3 has been out for a little while, is it worth the money for the phone and the plan? I'm considering jumping on the band wagon.

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[livendive 8]

Are they still AT&T only?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[SARLDO 0]

I believe they are.

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[riddler 0]

For $200, GPS, slightly faster AT&T network, it's worth it. I have two of the older models, $500 each, slower edge network, no GPS, and they're not worth it. iPhone is contractually tied to AT&T for four more years, so you're stuck with them if you go iPhone.

Check out Verizon's Blackberry Curve (8830). No GPS, but the network speed is awesome, and the keyboard is better.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[normiss 723]

dude.
you could have bought a rig already.
my cell phone cost me a whopping $79 - 2 effing years ago and is only $40 a month!

and I can still afford to jump!

BOTH my daughters say the i-phones are just too expensive...again...it's just a cell phone for christ sake.

[ltdiver 3]

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it's just a cell phone for christ sake.

If that's all you want the gadget to do, then yes buy a plain ol' cell phone.

However, I've seen the things an iPhone can do and it's definitely worth it. If you want a portable mini-computer that is.
PS: I know several professional cameraflyers who now carry their portfolio on their iPhone and it's fantastic to show to clients right there on the spot. The clarity of the photographs is very impressive.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[normiss 723]

wow.

I already have 5 computers and 2 digital cameras.
WHY would I want another one "THAT" expensive???


I'm a technology nut as much as a lot of us...but DAMN!

[ltdiver 3]

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wow.

I already have 5 computers and 2 digital cameras.
WHY would I want another one "THAT" expensive???


I'm a technology nut as much as a lot of us...but DAMN!

Okay, so it's not for you.

I'd bet that 1) any other computer wouldn't fit in your pocket and 2) the clarity of photos on a digital camera's screen wouldn't be that impressive to a client.

Plus, if you use it for business it's a tax write-off.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[normiss 723]

ok...I'd be in for the tax write-off....and I usually am for techno reasons....but I just can't take anymore intrusion to my personal life....no more cellies for me thank you...done it for too long!!!
and my employer always pays for them anyway...but I want my life back after hours.
I turn it off.I don't want a 'puter in my pocket thanks...I have one when I want to use them.
I don't need to impress a client with pictures...not my line of work. Besides...I can simply block content on the network you use to send the pics!

[murrays 0]

If you want to do the computer stuff the iPhone is capable of...the iPod Touch does all of it as well. If you wanted to show people your portfolio, etc as Lori mentioned above you can do all of that on the Touch...show them videos as well. The screen is excellent for videos.

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[Broke 0]

Mark didn't you know it is more than just a phone... It is a marketing gimick

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[riddler 0]

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you could have bought a rig already.Crazy

If you saw what I pay in taxes, you probably would say I could have bought a dropzone

But seriously, I.T. is my work, I rely on telephones because I work from home, I save that much in office space (and petrol), and in the end it's a much better and cheaper way to do business (and better for the environment).

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[Gawain 0]

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is it worth the money for the phone and the plan?

That is the key question. In terms of money alone: no, it is not worth it. In fact, if you add up the cost of the 3G/current plan structure and compare to the cost of the previous generation iPhone/plan, the payout is in fact, more in the current set up.

If you are seeking an all-in-one type device, you have options beyond the iPhone. The sacrifice is in how locked down the device is.

Quick comparo:

LG Dare (Verizon) PRO: Network; CON: Locked down/not open architecture
Samsung Instinct (Sprint) PRO: General Performance; CON: Sprint Network and customer svc
iPhone (AT&T) PRO: Apple; CON: AT&T network

That's just a few examples. You might check the specs and reviews on www.phonearena.com

The new iPhone doesn't seem to be all "that".

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[faulknerwn 38]

I have the older version but love it. I use it for everything - I stopped carrying a laptop when traveling because I can do everything I need on the phone. I actually like the iphone keyboard - the blackberrys are way too small for me but the iphone works well.

[BGill 0]

I love mine. For the longest time I was 100% content with having a plain old mobile phone that was cheap and did the trick. However, now that I've experienced this, there's no going back. (Kind of like when computers and internet came out, you're content until you get your hands on the technology, then you can't live without it.) Internet, GPS/googlemaps, ipod, etc in a very attractive and fun to play with phone. I think it's worth the price tag.

[livendive 8]

Hey, you seem to be more up on the phone stuff than just about anyone else on here.

I'm with Verizon and want to stay with them. I'd also like to move to a phone that is more functional for things like email and web-browsing (I already have an iPod for multimedia stuff). Right now, it seems like my best bets are the XV6800 or XV6900. The former has Wi-Fi, which seems like it would come in handy for web browsing when in town, and both seem like they could act like a wireless modem for my laptop when at the DZ (I assume this means cellular modem...we don't have a wireless network set up out there yet). Our DZ is in a fairly rural area, but my current phone does seem to have access to the full network there (I can call, text, web-browse, etc from there). Got any opinion on either of these phones/networks or a better suggestion? Would I be better off with one of the Blackberry devices?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[HSPScott 0]

You can try one like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/CECT-A88-PDA-Unlocked-MP3-MP4-TRI-Band-Phone-Dual-Sim_W0QQitemZ290250447188QQihZ019QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have read that they are pretty good phones.

[jcd11235 0]

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In fact, if you add up the cost of the 3G/current plan structure and compare to the cost of the previous generation iPhone/plan, the payout is in fact, more in the current set up.

What hurdle rate are you using in your calculations in order to reach that conclusion?

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Cornholio 0]

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What hurdle rate are you using in your calculations in order to reach that conclusion?

You sir, obviously haven't done your homework.

Check here: http://gizmodo.com/5015540/iphone-3gs-true-price-compared
FGI for more info.

I got my iPhone the second day after waiting 4 hours in line. The phone is definitely worth it. After coming from a Treo650 for the last 4 years, there was definitely a big step-up in the feature list. There's some shortcomings such as battery life and 3G signal not as strong as Edge. Plus I now get signal at home AND at the DZ, where before I had none-to-barely any coverage. But overall I'm very happy with my purchase and my now $90/mo phone bill (the 450 plan + data + 200 SMS + Fees). Once my work gets done with their beta testing of the phone and Exchange services, they'll probably be picking up some, if not all, of the cost. But as another poster said, having the Internet at your fingertips and the A/V capabilities - it simply pays for itself and well worth it IMO.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[Gawain 0]

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In fact, if you add up the cost of the 3G/current plan structure and compare to the cost of the previous generation iPhone/plan, the payout is in fact, more in the current set up.

What hurdle rate are you using in your calculations in order to reach that conclusion?

No hurdle rate, simple math:

First gen iPhone:
Unit price: $399
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450 min)
Data Plan: $20 (200 SMS included)
Two Year Contract Total: $1815

3G iPhone (8GB):
Unit price: $199
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450)
Data plan: $30
SMS Plan: $5
Two Year Contract Total: $1975

AT&T had to restructure in order to subsidize the hardware (which wasn't the case with the first generation iPhone).

The US has it good, I understand that the plans for the iPhone in Canada, Australia and New Zealand are stupid-expensive.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Squeak 17]

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The US has it good, I understand that the plans for the iPhone in Canada, Australia and New Zealand are stupid-expensive.

YUP and it will be a VERY long time before i get one

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[boinky 0]

You might check out the Instinct by Sprint. I have one and love it!

Before my Instinct, I had unlimited Internet, unlimited Picture Mail on the first phone and shared 550 shared minutes, 7 p.m. nights and free nights/weekends for both phones and was paying almost $90 for both phones a month.

With the Instinct and keeping the old phone on my plan, I have unlimited internet, unlimited picture mail, unlimited text messages on [B]BOTH phones and 1500 shared minutes, plus 7 p.m. nights and free nights/weekends on both. All for around $129 for both phones a month.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[jcd11235 0]

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In fact, if you add up the cost of the 3G/current plan structure and compare to the cost of the previous generation iPhone/plan, the payout is in fact, more in the current set up.

What hurdle rate are you using in your calculations in order to reach that conclusion?

No hurdle rate, simple math:

First gen iPhone:
Unit price: $399
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450 min)
Data Plan: $20 (200 SMS included)
Two Year Contract Total: $1815

3G iPhone (8GB):
Unit price: $199
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450)
Data plan: $30
SMS Plan: $5
Two Year Contract Total: $1975

Ahh … Simple math -- often the quickest method to arrive at an incorrect answer.

Let's us the formula:

Present_Value = Price_of_phone + Monthly_subscription_payment * [(1+i)^0 + (1+i)^-1 + (1+i)^-2 + … + (1+i)^-23]

where i is the hurdle (interest) rate per payment period.

Ignoring sales and other taxes, let's use a hurdle rate of 3%, since ING Direct offers personal savings accounts at that rate.

With a three percent hurdle rate along with the iPhone models and plans you mentioned, the 1st generation iPhone has a present value of $1428.18, and the iPhone 3G has a present value of $1489.83, a difference of only $61.66, a difference almost $100 less than your simple math yielded. For that $61.66 difference, the customer gets 3G network capability, real GPS, plus any other features available on the iPhone 3G that aren't available on previous generation iPhones. If interest rates increase over the next two years, that price difference decreases. If they decrease, the price difference increases.

If the customer has no need for SMS texting, and excludes that from their monthly plan (assuming AT&T allows), the present value of the iPhone 3G and two year plan is reduced to $1402.61, $25.56 cheaper than the previous generation.

(All results rounded up to nearest penny post calculation.)

For those unaware, the present value of the iPhone and plan is the amount of money that would need to be deposited into an account now earning an interest rate equal to the hurdle rate in order for the initial price of the phone (purchased immediately) and all 24 AT&T service plan payments to be payable from the account with no further contributions (in this case, only contributions equal to taxes).

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Gawain 0]

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In fact, if you add up the cost of the 3G/current plan structure and compare to the cost of the previous generation iPhone/plan, the payout is in fact, more in the current set up.

What hurdle rate are you using in your calculations in order to reach that conclusion?

No hurdle rate, simple math:

First gen iPhone:
Unit price: $399
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450 min)
Data Plan: $20 (200 SMS included)
Two Year Contract Total: $1815

3G iPhone (8GB):
Unit price: $199
Cheapest Plan: $39 (450)
Data plan: $30
SMS Plan: $5
Two Year Contract Total: $1975

Ahh … Simple math -- often the quickest method to arrive at an incorrect answer.

Let's us the formula:

Present_Value = Price_of_phone + Monthly_subscription_payment * [(1+i)^0 + (1+i)^-1 + (1+i)^-2 + … + (1+i)^-23]

where i is the hurdle (interest) rate per payment period.

Ignoring sales and other taxes, let's use a hurdle rate of 3%, since ING Direct offers personal savings accounts at that rate.

With a three percent hurdle rate along with the iPhone models and plans you mentioned, the 1st generation iPhone has a present value of $1428.18, and the iPhone 3G has a present value of $1489.83, a difference of only $61.66, a difference almost $100 less than your simple math yielded. For that $61.66 difference, the customer gets 3G network capability, real GPS, plus any other features available on the iPhone 3G that aren't available on previous generation iPhones. If interest rates increase over the next two years, that price difference decreases. If they decrease, the price difference increases.

If the customer has no need for SMS texting, and excludes that from their monthly plan (assuming AT&T allows), the present value of the iPhone 3G and two year plan is reduced to $1402.61, $25.56 cheaper than the previous generation.

(All results rounded up to nearest penny post calculation.)

For those unaware, the present value of the iPhone and plan is the amount of money that would need to be deposited into an account now earning an interest rate equal to the hurdle rate in order for the initial price of the phone (purchased immediately) and all 24 AT&T service plan payments to be payable from the account with no further contributions (in this case, only contributions equal to taxes).

That does not mean my answer was incorrect, as your model does not truly change the fact that AT&T will receive more money for the same services as for the first generation phone.

I was comparing plain apples to apples.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[jcd11235 0]

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That does not mean my answer was incorrect, as your model does not truly change the fact that AT&T will receive more money for the same services as for the first generation phone.

Yes, it means your answer was incorrect. I did not calculate how much more or less AT&T's present value for the iPhone 3G is compared to previous models. I don't know what their hurdle rate is for their subsidization expenses and their payments. Considering that they likely have enough cash to justify receiving a higher interest rate than the average individual, they may, in fact, be making less money for the iPhone 3G.

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I was comparing plain apples to apples.

No, you weren't. You were considering $74 paid in 23 months to be equal to $74 paid today. That is not a valid method of comparison. Money in the future is not worth as much as the same amount of money paid today. For a meaningful comparison of apples to apples, one has to discount the value of future payments to their present value.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!