Is an iPhone/Smartphone worth it?

[RedBaron]

I'm eligible for a cellphone upgrade on Verizon and I have been considering getting an iPhone. I've done the math and I was wondering, is it really worth the extra $720 for two years? It adds up to ~$1.00 for internet a day, which is fair (considering today I have used 2gbs of internet and I don't torrent.)

Any owners want to chime in?

[porsche4life]

I don't need it, but it is definitely a nice convenience when I am gone all day with work. I spend lots of time in the passengers seat of the truck. So I can post on pelican, Facebook, etc...

The weather apps are nice as well...

[gr8fl4porsche]

Yes

[stomachmonkey]

It's like remote start in your car. When you don't have it you question it's value, once you have it you can't imagine not having it.

[masraum]

I was always the guy that wanted the barebones nokia. I just wanted a phone to be a good phone. I got my wife an android phone, and played with it for a few days so I could show her how to use it. I was hooked. I had to have one. I've had one for about 2.5 years now. I was without for about 2 weeks once. It was two weeks of hell. .

I would say that a smart phone will be a great addition for lots of folks but probably not everyone.

I would also say that I would seriously consider an android phone over an iPhone. I have an iPad and an android phone for comparison and prefer the android over the iOS.

[rattlsnak]

No way I could ever go with (OUT) a smartphone anymore. The games and such will wear off, but the useful apps are WELL worth it.. (weather, GPS, maps, internet, etc.)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

No way I could ever go withOUT a smartphone anymore. The games and such will wear off, but the useful apps are WELL worth it.. (weather, GPS, maps, internet, etc.)

I believe that is what you were trying to say!?

[rattlsnak]

Ha! yup!! good catch!

[jyl]

The smartphone plans are metered, meaning a surcharge for exceeding X GB per month. X can be as little as 200MB or as much as 5GB depending on the plan. That sounds like nothing but I do most of my non-work web browsing and email on the iPhone and use well under 1 GB/month. If you watch a lot of YouTube, use your smartphone like a TV via Hulu, or stream Pandora all day, you may have trouble. You said you used "2 gb" today, that suggests you might have an issue. Ask around for others' experiences (maybe someone will chime in here).

[Rick V]

I love my android and I detest apple programming, I would say yes to that type of phone but no to the iphone. JMO

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The iPhone is an excellent, well-made device, it works flawlessly and reliably. Software and support on the Apple products is top-shelf as well.

I was a cell phone Luddite before getting this device - I really hated them and I hated carrying one. I'd not upgraded in several years (Motorola SLVR, which in retrospect was a good phone in its own right...). I tried the iPhone just out of curiosity and have been blown away - I couldn't live without it now. This thing does EVERYTHING - I have no need to carry a laptop anymore other than if I want a full size keyboard and/or screen. I literally handled 100% of my recent real estate transaction on this device - all the emails, calls, PDF documents, bank transfers, etc. It's indispensable and I love Apple's attention to detail/design as well. Awesome overall - try one out and I suspect you won't be disappointed. It's not all hype.

I (as you probably do) get turned off by all the trendy hipsters who worship Apple stuff as a fashion accessory, but if you actually buy it to USE, it's such a great device that I don't care if I happen to have a device which lumps me (unfairly) into that crowd. I love the thin for what it is - not as a show-off item.

[MBAtarga]

It's just a fad - sort of like that silly color tv thng.

[cgarr]

Yes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yes. You have access to unlimited information and entertainment while on the go. My wife is a technophobe and was skeptical of the iPhone 4 that I bought her for Christmas, now she can't imagine not having one.

Personally I think the iPhone is the best option out there, but everyone has their own opinion. It's powerful but simple and intuitive. My wife is usually retarded when it comes to anything fancier than a basic TV, but was able to quickly learn and master her iPhone.

[agrimmitt]

It depends on the way or number of "phone" calls you make or return each day. I like my iphone for all the things it does well. But prefer my Blackberry's for making and returning calls. On line information, check stocks, posting of Ebay/Pelican, reading the NY Times are all fine on the iphone. But taking or making 20-60 calls a day or typing lots of replies I feel is slower on the iphone and best done on my blackberry. Also the spell check seems to work better on the blackberry system vs iphones. I'm a high minute guy with (3) phones at all times (I know>no life; but long time Porsche guy) burning 3000 minutes a month on average. But thats the world of business, it's about "instant" communication it seems.
Hope the input helps
art

[techweenie]

Smartphone, yes. iPhone, probably. There are (finally) some good alternatives.

But iPhone has the most thoroughly developed ecosystem. And the screen on the iPhone 4 is just (stunning/amazing/other overused adjective).

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by agrimmitt

It depends on the way or number of "phone" calls you make or return each day. I like my iphone for all the things it does well. But prefer my Blackberry's for making and returning calls. On line information, check stocks, posting of Ebay/Pelican, reading the NY Times are all fine on the iphone. But taking or making 20-60 calls a day or typing lots of replies I feel is slower on the iphone and best done on my blackberry. Also the spell check seems to work better on the blackberry system vs iphones. I'm a high minute guy with (3) phones at all times (I know>no life; but long time Porsche guy) burning 3000 minutes a month on average. But thats the world of business, it's about "instant" communication it seems.
Hope the input helps
art

I think the iPhone is brilliant and wouldn't want to be without it.

But you are right: the Blackberry is the better device purely for calls and messages.

[FastCarFan]

I LOVE my iPhone. I can't imagine not having it. Internet access, e-mail, FB, Pelican, navigation (pretty good free audio turn-by-turn app from MapQuest), Starbucks finder app....I could go on.

I don't have any interest in games & I don't watch too many videos. I have a 200-meg/mo plan from AT&T for $15/mo (50 cents/day) & that is plenty for me.

In fact, with wireless in the house I find myself checking e-mail, FB, etc. with my iPhone because its quicker than using my desktop.

I'm actually in the garage using wireless right now while messing around with my cars.

[porsche4life]

I would be lost without my iPhone. Right now I am sitting in my apartment streaming music to my stereo via an airport express, catching up on pelican and FB,and texting several people. All right from my iPhone.

[rattlsnak]

When did they start charging for data on useage amounts? Is that AT&T or Verizon? My plan is $20.00 a month for unlimited data on ATT.