Meet Me @ PCAZ 08

To 3G or not to 3G

Tagged Articles, Contributors, iPhone by Wardy Miller on June 12th, 2008

By Wardy Miller

Almost a year ago Apple released the iPhone, I was one of the guys they filmed standing in line to get one of the new shiny Apple goodies. Steve Jobs said it would be the coolest phone ever, and he didn’t lie. The iPhone 1.0 is the best phone I have ever had. Now at WWDC, Steve has demonstrated, iPhone 2.0 software which looks AWESOME. In addition to that he showed iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G looks so cool, It should be called the iPhone speed, because that is what it is all about. The blazing fast speed of the 3G network, or GPS, the iPhone v2 is very interesting. Not to mention the super price point of $199.00 for the 8 gig and $299 for the 16 gig.

Now here is my dilemma, and I am hoping that the readers of iBam can help me out. Even though I already have an iPhone, how do I justify to my wife the need for me to get a new iPhone? What about you? Do you have an iPhone v1? Are you going to get a v2 iPhone. 

If you plan to pass on the iPhone, what is stopping you? 

Viewing 19 Comments

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    No v2 for me. I love my v1 iPhone and don't see a reason to spend more money on GPS (which I would rarely use) and 3G. The 2.0 software should keep me content until iPhone v3.
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    My thoughts EXACTLY!
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    I purchased my iPhone on launch day and it's the best device I've ever had.

    I'd really, really like to buy a 3G, but I just can't justify it. I have a few reasons:

    -3G service is more expensive per month and is faster, but not TONS faster
    -Battery life is better, but I have never really had a problem with my current battery
    -GPS means nothing to me. It's not like I could use it safely while driving and I'm pretty good at looking around to know exactly where I am.
    -The camera isn't any better, which I was hoping for

    In all, the 3G is a great upgrade, but not worth the extra cost.
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    First of all, there was all that chatter when the iPhone 1.0 came out that it was 3G ready, just not enabled, now no one's saying anything about that. I would like to get more info on it... was it not true, or is Apple just not saying anything yet, so everyone jumps on the iPhone 3G bandwagon, including the original iPhone owners?

    Second of all, if I'm reading this right, the iPhone 2.0 software will enable all the new features on the iPhone 1.0, and since I use mine 99% of the time with the wi-fi, I don't really need the 3G speed, and will wait til ver 3.0 comes out.

    Still, iPhone is the coolest and most useful gadget I have ever bought!
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    Hey Jack, the question really is:

    Other than to attract all the fine ladies down at the Regal Beagle, why do you need to upgrade to a 2.0Phone? Is it faster? Undoubtedly so. Is it cooler? Heck no. It's mass produced, plastic-backed STUFF. It's just more STUFF. There's no way it's a need, and I wouldn't even try to convince your wife that it's a need. It's not. The juices of upgrade are coursing through your veins. You want the new thing. It's understandable. Maybe your wife would like your 1.0 iPhone? Maybe you can dump it on eBay for 150 bucks, thus lowering the net expenditure you're asking your family to swallow. I dunno.

    There are answers though. There's always an answer. Chrissy taught me that, and I remembered.
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    At least you live in a place where you can legitimately get iPhone, lots of people don't, including us here in the GCC. In the Emirates we could buy unlocked iPhones from all over the place and still can of course but whether we'll be able to get the 3G one is still uncertain. People are getting increasingly angry with Apple, government, and telecom operators who apparently for whatever reason cannot agree on what needs to be done. And as an Apple User Group we're left to pick up the pieces after people who don't know better buy unlocked iPhones without warranty or service and get into trouble with something not working.
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    I like to tell myself I won't be upgrading because I don't live in a 3G area, and the location I get with the phone now is good enough for me to find myself if I'm lost, but it really boils down to not having $300 more to spend on a phone the year after I paid $600 for one (I would, of course, buy the 16GB version, that way I'd stay ahead of the curve that much longer. I bought an 8GB iPhone for that reason on launch day, and look what happened to the 4GB model).

    But honestly, there are many, many pluses to the 3G version. Standard headphone port, 3G and GPS, are really the big issues. Everything else is cosmetic.

    I understand why they went with plastic backing (more antennae need more space), but I really feel the new iPhone will feel cheaper. I liked the feel of the Aluminum. It made me feel like I had bought something special. I'm afraid the new plastic will scratch as easily as my 3G iPod's case did, or it will crack when I drop the phone (I've dropped my iPhone twice, and all it has is one dent in it. How cool is it my phone DENTS?

    Also, wtf is up with the AT&T policies floating around? First you can't activate it at home, you have to do it in-store, but you will be fined if you DON'T activate it within 30 days, implying you CAN activate it at home if you scream rape in the store or something, and then they change the price plans to regular-old cell phone bullcrap.

    I think, if I lived in a city, where I would see the need for 3G speed, I might be more tempted to save up my money and buy one. And honestly, I might buy one eventually. But for now I'm happy with my original. When a feature comes out that leaves us iPhone 2(.5)G people in the dust, then I'll reconsider.

    At least that's what I tell myself, and my fiancée, who gives me "the look" when I try and rationalize buying one.
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    It's be much easier to swallow if it were able to be run on different networks. I hated AT&T when I was locked into it, and once I got free I never looked back. Not even for the coolest toy ever.
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    Am in the same boat - iPhone 2G. I am waiting for iPhone 2.0 to upgrade the firmware and that is it. Living in the Philippines, GPS is close to useless (maps are inaccurate) and besides, no mention of battery life with 3G + GPS. :)

    3G is good to have but I have a 3G Nokia which I do not use that much since I am pretty much within the range of a wifi hotspot (home, office, starbucks, mall, etc.). I use 3G rarely with my USB modem tethered to my MBA and that is it.

    I like the extended battery life BUT I have a Mophie external pack that extends my iPhone's battery a little more than twice charge. :P

    What I like about this new one is this -- it is FINALLY LEGALLY available in the Philippines! :P
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    I doubt I will upgrade. I am very happy with my iPhone, and although GPS and 3G are very nice, they will not benefit me enough to justify the cost. I am personally more excited about the 2.0 software update.
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    the only reason its keeping me from upgrading is the increased monthy price from att.. that effectively adds $240 to the price of the whole thing over the life of the contract..
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    I would upgrade simply for the GPS functionality IF it had turn-by-turn directions. The GPS that was demonstrated is completely useless IMO. Sure, some companies like Tom-Tom might make the GPS useable, but I don't want to have to pay around $100 for the software to do so, and have to re-buy the software whenever I buy a new phone. It would make a lot more sense for me to buy a separate GPS device, even though I hate the idea of carrying yet another gadget around.
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    I'm sticking with my v1. I would really want v2 for the GPS, but the 3G is really no big deal to me. I hardly ever use Edge, and when I do I can stand waiting a few extra seconds for a page to load.
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    I would love to have the new phone, but since I'm on T-Mobile there isn't a rush to get since we don't have 3g here. But if I were on AT&T I would try and sell my current iPhone before the new one came out.
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    As much as I want to upgrade to v2 iPhone I think I'm going to stick with my original iPhone. I think the 2.0 software upgrade will keep me satisfied as far as technology advances go. I don't really need the 3G as I am usually near wifi and would rather use that. The GPS doesn't attract me that much as I likely won't use it much. I am enticed by the better audio quality and the video capabilities but since the camera is still 2 megapixels and the peak GB is only 16 I think I'll wait until a 32 GB one comes out or perhaps the next version...my current iPhone has treated me well.
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    I was just amazed as every other Mac head following Steve's announcement regarding the 3G iPhone but it took me a while after everything whether I really need it. The answer is no but then the other other question is do I want it? Yes. I still have roughly a month to decide whether I want to spend the money.
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    I'm planning on purchasing a 3G iPhone the day it releases. I had the iPhone v1.0 phone and loved it. I sold it because at the time in my life, cash was golden, and I got my blackberry for $40. I love the blackberry for the functionality it provides, but the interface is just not there. The iPhone 3G with MobileMe will be able to provide me with similar push technology like I have on the BlackBerry, but with the slick interface - it's a win/win for me!

    Now...to convince your significant other...the rule of thumb is generally to get her something in the ballpark of twice the cost of the item you'd like to get - so plan on purchasing 3 iPhones... LOL ...then again...I'm divorced...so you probably shouldn't be taking advice from me anyway! LOL

    All hail Apple...w00t!
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    No improvement on the camera means no new IPhone. That is the singe biggest reason.
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    I may pass on the new iPhone because of deceptive pricing. It's $199, but the service plan is $240 more over the 2-year contract ($10/month more). Thus the iPhone 3G's true cost is more like $439 (8 GB model).
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