To upgrade, or not to upgrade

Mon Jun 9, 2008 10:30PM EDT

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Finally, the long awaited iPhone 3G is out, but will it be worth upgrading to one?

It's been a year since the original iPhone was released, so many of us were expecting the new iPhone to at least incorporate features that are currently available on even the most basic phones, like the ability to shoot video, MMS, extra storage (is 32GB too much to ask for?), and Bluetooth audio. Unfortunately, none of these were addressed in the latest iPhone, which touts built-in GPS capabilities, 3G, and black and white back covers.

We've been clamoring for 3G for a long time, but are we willing to pay the price? Those of us who currently own an iPhone will want to sell it before upgrading to a faster iPhone 3G, but who's going to buy them? Auction sites are expected to be saturated with first-generation iPhones in the coming weeks, and only those smart enough to sell theirs now are likely to get some money back.

On the bright side, there's still a great demand for unlocked phones out there, with some still selling for over $300. But once the new iPhone 3G hits the market, you'll be lucky to get $150 for the old model.

The new iPhone's $199 price tag (for 8GB) looks good in comparison to the first model, but is it really? According to The New York Times, the low cost of the iPhone doesn't mean you'll end up paying less over the two years you're tied into a contract. As some of you already know, AT&T has raised the pricing of its 3G data plans, which will now cost $30 per month, and $45 per month for business users.

That's a $10-per-month increase, or an extra $240 over the life of the contract that current users don't have to pay. So at first it may appear that you're saving yourself $200, but in the long run you're paying more.

Show of hands (or comments): How many of you will be upgrading? Why or why not?

Related:
How the half-price iPhone 3G actually costs you more
What's there, and what's missing
iPhone 3G questions and answers
Killer applications coming to iPhone

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Comments on To upgrade, or not to upgrade

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  • 6 Posted by rikkilambo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    too expensive. blackberry does it all, and better.

  • 7 Posted by sehandler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    In addition to raising the monthly cost to $30, the basic plan does not include any text messaging! Whereas now, the basic plan, costing $20, at least included 200 text messages per month.

  • 8 Posted by cmackland on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    I already sold my old I phone for more than I paid for it originally. So, needless to say I will be upgrading to the 3G version.

  • 9 Posted by caribc280 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    So can i still transfer my data.. ie photos,music ,web apps etc to a 3g phone if i decide to purchase the upgrade ???

  • 11 Posted by vsusor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    People are complaining about the cost of the new iphone actually costing more over the 2-year period. That is true, but you are going to be using the 3G network now (If you choose to), so of course the cost of the data plan will go up. That needs to be taken into account. 10 dollars more a month, but its 3G that you will be using rahter than hte estremely slow EDGE network. So quit complaining about it.

  • 12 Posted by klnangle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Bought my 16GB in Feb and don't think I'll upgrade, I'm happy enough with the slower but cheaper data plan. GPS is ok but I find that current phone finds itself well enough (and it seems even the new one will still triangulate off cell towers to refine its location). I'm mostly interested in the 2.0 software and what apps will be available.. eg would like Flash, a good Internet radio streamer, voice commands (apparently coming from Nuance). By the time my current contract ends there should be some good competition to consider (including an iPhone 3.0 I suspect - Apple won't be able to sit on its hands).

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