[ Photo courtesy of: Robert S. Donovan (under Creative Commons) ]
Apple's iPhone 3G S came out today; we’re testing it in our labs, and you can follow our testing on Twitter. This third-generation iPhone has me thinking about my relationship with my current, first-generation iPhone.
I purchased an 8GB, Edge-network (or 2G) iPhone two years ago, after a long love affair with my iPod (Apple's portable MP3 player). Since I needed a new iPod, and I wanted a new phone, the iPhone seemed like a good fit.
Now my two-year contract with AT&T is ending, as it is for many other first-generation iPhone users, and I'm deciding whether to spring for the 3G S—which can do a lot more than the model I have, albeit for more money. After much soul-searching, I've decided: I am going to hold on to my "archaic" 2007 iPhone. Many of you are likely gasping in horror, but I've got my reasons.
The first one is simple economics. I can't justify dropping another couple of hundred dollars for a new phone and then paying more for monthly service. While both phones cost the same for talk time, the difference is in the data plans. Right now, my 2G data plan is only $20 a month, and that includes unlimited data, unlimited Internet access, and 200 messages. The 3G plan is $30 a month for unlimited data and Internet usage, but doesn't come with messaging I'd have to pay another $5 for the same 200 messages.
Also, if I sign on for the iPhone 3G S, I'll be locked into a two-year contract (again), and there are no easy outs there. I'd have to stick with the new iPhone for two years, or face early-termination fees of up to $175. By keeping my old phone (which is no longer under contract), I can decide to drop the iPhone anytime without paying said penalties.
That's not to say I'm not tempted by the new iPhone's functions and features. It would be nice to actually use Google Maps on a phone that's GPS-enabled—the 2G uses cell towers and WiFi spots to triangulate your position, or at least attempt to. The new iPhone 3.0 software supports software with turn-by-turn directions. However, I’ll need to pay an extra $10 a month for service, with the new Gokivo iPhone app, or wait for other iPhone GPS apps.
The video camera is also something I've been missing since purchasing the iPhone. All my other phones had one, and it was great to capture moments your friends instantly wish they could take back. However, I can live without video. Ditto for the faster download time of the 3G S. My two seconds here or there are not worth two hundred dollars down, and an extra $180 per year in service fees (Remember: patience is a virtue).
Finally, here's the clincher for keeping my old phone: I can add the rest of the new features (cut and paste, a landscape keyboard for the text message and mail applications, the system search feature, etc.) to my 2G iPhone with the free update to the 3.0 software, which my colleague Mike Gikas praised in his first look at it.
So, I'm satisfied with my current phone—and my decision. I'd like to know what other iPhone users are thinking: to upgrade or not? That includes you iPhone 3G owners, all of whom are still under contract for their phone. Unless you’re eligible to upgrade (see Apple’s latest on this program) to a 3G S, you’ll face either breaking your current contract, and paying penalties, or paying full price (upwards of $599) to get the new iPhone. —Will Dilella
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