Is iPhone worth it?

[skibrat]

I am pretty sure Ill be switching to AT&T, and am contemplating an iPhone. We have an iMac and a MacBook already and absolutely love both. I am a stay at home mom, and don't "need" an iPhone, but I would like to have one.

Is it worth it? How much do the plans run for?

 

[baggss]

My plan is about $116/month. 450Min / 5000 Nite-weekend / rollover/ unlimited text and data.

If you just want it as a toy, sure. It's neat but has some shortcomings for pro users.

 

[Eric559]

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iphone-info.jsp

 

[skaheadpunk]

I love mine... even after it's been stolen, I'm still planning to fork out the £350 to replace it rather than getting something else (ie cheaper!).

 

[PapaNoHair]

My plan is about $116/month. 450Min / 5000 Nite-weekend / rollover/ unlimited text and data.

If you just want it as a toy, sure. It's neat but has some shortcomings for pro users.

Hey Baggss - could you please elaborate on that? (shortcomings for pro users).

 

[baggss]

Sure.

Lots of folks are complaining about keyboard lag, contact lag, text lag, no MMS and 3G issues. For those that are just using it as a basic phone with frills, it's fine. For those who are looking for a power phone to manage their life or business (like a Blackberry), some of these seem to be huge shortcomings, but not to everyone.

I consider myself a Pro User since I keep all of my info in my iPhone and it is my primary PDA/Phone and the syncs with my G5 and iBook via MobileMe. None of those issues bothers me (some are not real issues in my eyes, MMS for example) so I suppose it is all subjective.

It appears that there are also issues with the 3G chips in the iPhone and AT&Ts network is nothing particularly special.

These sort of issues seem to be a huge issue with users on another board that I frequent, and the whine incessantly like 12 year old girls.

 

[Dimitri]

These sort of issues seem to be a huge issue with users on another board that I frequent, and the whine incessantly like 12 year old girls.

Yes, iLounge definitely attracts the little girls. I've had little issue with 3G on mine, but it sounds like a lot of people do have problems. I still think it's unclear what exactly is the root cause and how widespread it actually is. Apparently it was enough for Apple to respond to, though.

 

[baggss]

Yes, iLounge definitely attracts the little girls. I've had little issue with 3G on mine, but it sounds like a lot of people do have problems. I still think it's unclear what exactly is the root cause and how widespread it actually is. Apparently it was enough for Apple to respond to, though.

Yes it does. That thread is actually quite a bit of fun and I gave up arguing a while back and just began trolling. The two prime targets have egos that won't let them ignore me. It's fun to watch them flip out even when they know what I am doing.

 

[rich6490]

Yes, its extremely overhyped, but its cool and I like it.

On AT&T's part, their Data plan is an extreme rip off. 30 Bucks for unlimited data should at least include 1200 text messages and tethering or something like that.

 

[macgig]

no way I would ever pay $116 a month for a phone. any phone. that is more than I pay for internet access.

 

[baggss]

Its all relative. It's less than what I was paying on the Verizon Family plan with a pool of 1400 min between 4 phones, unlimited data for my phone and 500 texts for myself.

 

[ConvoMech08]

I use min for my full time job, my small business, and for personal use, and i haven't had any issues with my phone, if you restart it after you use certain apps a lot, and keep the cache for Safari clear it gets rid of the SMS/Contacts/keyboard lag, and i haven't had any problems with the 3G network (except that on ATT's part its a little limited which i knew from when i used a blackjack) the exchange and VPN work great as well...hmmm, i guess some people have to find something miniscule to whine about like 12 year old girls...

 

[theonegod]

no way I would ever pay $116 a month for a phone. any phone. that is more than I pay for internet access.

It is not some static home internet connection. It is mobile, phone and data. The 2 can't be directly compared.

To the OP. I love my iPhone. Not only is it a great iPod it is also a pretty good phone and the apps I can use on it rock. I have apps that do all of the following. (I am an IT Manager)

RDP client to connect to windows machines remotly
SSH client to connect to Unix/Linux Machines remotly
VNC app for remotly controlling Mac machines
A couple nice games
Ambience (app for white noice and other relaxing sounds)
A couple warcraft apps for access to stored character profiles from armory data
Custom weather apps
Custom movie apps
Shazam (app for identifying a song just by having your phone listen to it for 5-10 seconds)
App for managing my netflix que
Remote app for controling my itunes on my desktop and laptop
Ebay app
AIM app

Most of the above are free.

 

[Aubie16]

I pay 97 a month for 900 minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, 1500 text messages and unlimited data.

It has been very worth it for me. (I don't have the 3G version, which is why my plan is 10 dollars cheaper than it would be normally)

 

[ENNO]

Why not just buy an unlocked one like me and pay what you want a month?

 

[theonegod]

Gee which company lets you pay what you want? You set the rate and such do you Another reason not to buy unlocked is that you can't update your phone especially to revisions that replace the baseband.

 

[baggss]

Gee which company lets you pay what you want? You set the rate and such do you Another reason not to buy unlocked is that you can't update your phone especially to revisions that replace the baseband.

I think he means the pay as you go option. You only pay whatever you are willing to use and no more. You pay $20 you only get $20 worth, period.

 

[psychodork]

When my contract with verizon ran out, I was considering switching to AT&T and getting an iphone, but the main reason I didn't was it doesn't have enough space for music! So, I got an ipod touch and a free w/ contract phone instead. I hope in 2 years (when my next contract runs) out they have a 40GB iphone.

Lets say you get an iphone and choose not to get unlimited data use... Can you still connect to the internet by wifi like you can w/ the itouch? There's no way I'm ever paying more than $75 a month for my phone bill.