Can you buy an iPhone without the phone plan?

Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
Points
6
I am interested in the iPhone, but I only want to use its functions that are not phone related. It seems like you have to buy a phone plan though. Is it possible to just buy the iPhone, not register it, and use it for its calender, videos, and other apps?
 
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
137
Reaction score
1
Points
18
why not buy an ipod touch? has those features w/o having the phone.
 
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
3,308
Reaction score
58
Points
48
Location
Whangarei NZ
Your Mac's Specs
27 iMac+Thunderbolt, iMac 21,
Yes - i bought mine in July 08 without any plan and still operate without one. WiFi at home and on the road works for me.
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
why not buy an ipod touch? has those features w/o having the phone.
I agree. Why not just purchase an iPod Touch? Sure, there are a few things you can't do on the iTouch that you can on the iPhone (independent of having a cell connection) but is it really worth the expense (buying an unlocked iPhone is going to be pricey)?
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,762
Reaction score
2,100
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
Agreed, especially now with the significantly larger capacity iPod Touches, you can get up to 64GB of storage for everything, better battery life and save for the phone functionality everything is available..

Regards
 
OP
H
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
Points
6
3gs - $200
Touch - $200

3GS is better because I can eventually get a phone plan and pick the color I want. The touch is silver and does not look good. White is nice.

If I would go the route of getting the iPhone, could I buy the phone at an Apple store or somewhere else?
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
The $200 is subsidized by the carrier which means you have to sign a contract. As you will note on AT&T's website, to get a $200 16GB 3GS, you are required to get a 2 year contract. For me to get a 16GB 3GS for $200, I would have to get a three year contract (see here).
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,762
Reaction score
2,100
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
And once you get the subsidized plan, you've got AT&T hooking you in with the mandatory $30/month data plan in addition to whatever plan you choose.

The only way to get a iPhone without this is to get an unlocked phone off of Ebay or something, and then the price is more like $350 for the 3G and easily $550-600 for the 3GS..

Regards
 
OP
H
Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
Points
6
And once you get the subsidized plan, you've got AT&T hooking you in with the mandatory $30/month data plan in addition to whatever plan you choose.

The only way to get a iPhone without this is to get an unlocked phone off of Ebay or something, and then the price is more like $350 for the 3G and easily $550-600 for the 3GS..

Regards

Ouch. That sucks. Thanks for the info.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top