About to purchase an Iphone - questions from a newbie - Blu-ray Forum

Jack Torrance · 10-27-2008, 09:49 PM

I'm not subscribed to any Apple/Mac forums, so thought I would throw my questions out here, as there are many wise technophiles here (you did choose blu-ray after all

). And I've actually come to trust a number of opinions I read here. 'tis a great forum.

So, for me, my holiday shopping is about to kick off. And I've decided to buy the missus an Iphone as one of her gifts for Christmas. An Iphone is not for me just yet, I just won't use it that much. But for her, it would be treat.

My first question as a newbie is what is the cost of the most inexpensive monthly plan?

The second is, is there a current supply problem with the 3g model? I've seen the price at $199, but on Ebay the prices are hiked up greatly.

Also, any comments pro or negative and do's and don'ts on purchasing an Iphone would be greatly appreciated

DaMexiRican · 10-27-2008, 11:19 PM

The data plan is $30 a month. That goes onto what ever current minutes plan you have.

I'm not sure about a shortage of them. I got mine at launch and it took about two weeks to come in. I don't think it should be longer than that now.

There is no insurance available on the phone, so a case of some kind might be helpful if she has dropped her other phone before. I think it's a great phone, my only con is it doesn't have mms(picture messages) and you can't forward a text message to other people. There is an app you can download for free that will let you send photo's though. It will send the other person a link to click on and then then the picture message will be there. If you want to receive picture messages I tell people to send it to my email. The Iphone can be synced to email account like yahoo or gmail and I get mine that way. Other than that, that is the only thing i would say I don't like about the phone, but it's not that big of a deal to keep my away from it. The apps and gps are my fav. Gps is included on the phone, and not a seperate feature you have to pay for unlike other phones where it's $10 a month. It does not speak to you and tell you directions though.

DrinkMore · 10-27-2008, 11:20 PM

1- Most inexpensive is 450 minutes/5000 night and weekend minutes for I think about $45 a month.

2- No supply problems. AT&T, Apple store, Best Buy - all should have them.

If your missus likes lots of music, you will want the 16gig phone. If not, get the 8. However it is up to you two. I would also get the black phone. Not a fan of the white, thet again, it is personal preference.

Get a case too to help protect it. Incase Slider is a great case - not too expensive and does a great job protecting!

Good luck and happy shopping

I love my iPhone.

Jack Torrance · 10-27-2008, 11:41 PM

Thanks guys for the info and tips. Much appreciated

I was going to try and buy one through Ebay (as I can get cashback etc. - not that I'm a cheapskate - well I am - but I try to stretch my Christmas budget as far as I can), but the prices are $500+ right now.

Seeing as we already have an Att&t wireless plan, I'll probably just get one from the store then.

Thanks again, gents!

DrinkMore · 10-27-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

Thanks guys for the info and tips. Much appreciated

I was going to try and buy one through Ebay (as I can get cashback etc. - not that I'm a cheapskate - well I am - but I try to stretch my Christmas budget as far as I can), but the prices are $500+ right now.

Seeing as we already have an Att&t wireless plan, I'll probably just get one from the store then.

Thanks again, gents!

I would do it through the store. I would be hesitant to purchase a high dollar item from ebay - especially an iphone. If there is a problem you can deal with it locally.

Footloose301 · 10-27-2008, 11:47 PM

Yep. I was the very first person to walk thru the doors at Coconut Point Apple in Estero, FL the day of the launch. I even had my first gen as well. I will never get another phone. iPhones for life. They are great. No supply problems. Buy it from an Apple Store for one-on-one training.

GL

rubberghost · 10-28-2008, 01:29 AM

i have the white 16 gb. most people don't get the white, that's why i did.

it's a cool-ass device.

redboxcar · 10-28-2008, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiguelitoDaMexiRican

There is no insurance available on the phone, so a case of some kind might be helpful if she has dropped her other phone before.

If you purchase from Best Buy, they offer accidental damage insurance for $14.95 a month for two years. If she is prone to accidents, this might be the way to go-- it's currently the only available insurance, and it's offered through Best Buy, not through Apple. This plan also offers loaners if the phone ever needs to be serviced, but at this point, ADH is still covering in-store exchanges.

Wingman1977 · 10-28-2008, 12:19 PM

You might also want to check out the "Google phone" as well (if you havn't already).

mikejet · 10-28-2008, 12:44 PM

Check out the Nokia N95 8GB. It's a great phone and works with US 3G networks like AT&T has.

Downhere · 10-28-2008, 06:32 PM

Definitely get the IPhone, it's the coolest phone ever.

Forrestandjen07 · 10-28-2008, 06:52 PM

Stay away from Iphone.

becuase well, you have to use it on AT&T. Thats BAD

Chevypower · 10-28-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

Stay away from Iphone.

becuase well, you have to use it on AT&T. Thats BAD

Well you don't HAVE to.

Forrestandjen07 · 10-28-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevypower

Well you don't HAVE to.

true, you could hack it

DrinkMore · 10-28-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

Stay away from Iphone.

becuase well, you have to use it on AT&T. Thats BAD

Dude, you really need to find a new act. Seriously.

QwikSand · 10-28-2008, 11:33 PM

I switched to AT&T just FOR the Iphone 3G and I love it. Maybe I am positive towards AT&T because the 3G coverage in my area is awesome but I do love it.

DrinkMore · 10-28-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QwikSand

I switched to AT&T just FOR the Iphone 3G and I love it. Maybe I am positive towards AT&T because the 3G coverage in my area is awesome but I do love it.

Same here it's fine for me.

BStecke · 10-29-2008, 04:01 AM

I never had any problem with AT&T for the 7 months or so that I had it. Based on coverage alone I'll probably go back eventually, when I have to go back to paying a regular bill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Dude, you really need to find a new act. Seriously.

No kidding.

york weir · 10-29-2008, 01:37 PM

The monthly plan with data is $70 per month plus taxes and fees. The reason the models on eBay are so expensive is because they are not bound to a 2 year contract with AT&T.

I would get the phone at an Apple store if you have one near you. I'm sure your girl will enjoy it, it's a slick phone.

SellmeyourDVD · 10-29-2008, 01:44 PM

get an ipod touch instead of the iphone, it's just a much better buy.

I've heard AT&t's cell phone service is very subpar and that even on the 3g network the internet is VERY slow.

I love the ipod touch, it does everything that the iphone does except make phone calls and dosn't come with a crappy at&t contract.

You can get a 32gb ipod touch for 330 @ the apple store online right now (refurbished model) which is a AMAZING deal.

10-27-2008, 09:49 PM	#1
Jack Torrance Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Overlook Hotel Blu-ray reviews:1	About to purchase an Iphone - questions from a newbie I'm not subscribed to any Apple/Mac forums, so thought I would throw my questions out here, as there are many wise technophiles here (you did choose blu-ray after all ). And I've actually come to trust a number of opinions I read here. 'tis a great forum. So, for me, my holiday shopping is about to kick off. And I've decided to buy the missus an Iphone as one of her gifts for Christmas. An Iphone is not for me just yet, I just won't use it that much. But for her, it would be treat. My first question as a newbie is what is the cost of the most inexpensive monthly plan? The second is, is there a current supply problem with the 3g model? I've seen the price at $199, but on Ebay the prices are hiked up greatly. Also, any comments pro or negative and do's and don'ts on purchasing an Iphone would be greatly appreciated

10-28-2008, 12:19 PM	#9
Wingman1977 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The empire state Trading Score:23	You might also want to check out the "Google phone" as well (if you havn't already). Last edited by Wingman1977; 10-28-2008 at 12:45 PM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
2 Newbie questions	Newbie Discussion	Jaynru	11	03-18-2008 11:54 PM
Few questions from a newbie!	Newbie Discussion	jambo_makaveli	7	01-15-2008 11:14 PM
Newbie questions	Newbie Discussion	mdtulp	9	11-02-2007 06:40 PM
A few newbie questions	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	Reznik	9	07-10-2007 02:12 PM
Blu-ray newbie - which player to purchase?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	bluraydog	23	06-14-2007 08:32 PM

10-27-2008, 11:19 PM	#2
DaMexiRican Power Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Tracy, CA Blu-ray collection:40	The data plan is $30 a month. That goes onto what ever current minutes plan you have. I'm not sure about a shortage of them. I got mine at launch and it took about two weeks to come in. I don't think it should be longer than that now. There is no insurance available on the phone, so a case of some kind might be helpful if she has dropped her other phone before. I think it's a great phone, my only con is it doesn't have mms(picture messages) and you can't forward a text message to other people. There is an app you can download for free that will let you send photo's though. It will send the other person a link to click on and then then the picture message will be there. If you want to receive picture messages I tell people to send it to my email. The Iphone can be synced to email account like yahoo or gmail and I get mine that way. Other than that, that is the only thing i would say I don't like about the phone, but it's not that big of a deal to keep my away from it. The apps and gps are my fav. Gps is included on the phone, and not a seperate feature you have to pay for unlike other phones where it's $10 a month. It does not speak to you and tell you directions though.

10-27-2008, 11:20 PM	#3
DrinkMore Banned Member since:Apr 2007 Location:That's What She Said! Blu-ray collection:140 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:3	1- Most inexpensive is 450 minutes/5000 night and weekend minutes for I think about $45 a month. 2- No supply problems. AT&T, Apple store, Best Buy - all should have them. If your missus likes lots of music, you will want the 16gig phone. If not, get the 8. However it is up to you two. I would also get the black phone. Not a fan of the white, thet again, it is personal preference. Get a case too to help protect it. Incase Slider is a great case - not too expensive and does a great job protecting! Good luck and happy shopping I love my iPhone.

10-27-2008, 11:41 PM	#4
Jack Torrance Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Overlook Hotel Blu-ray reviews:1	Thanks guys for the info and tips. Much appreciated I was going to try and buy one through Ebay (as I can get cashback etc. - not that I'm a cheapskate - well I am - but I try to stretch my Christmas budget as far as I can), but the prices are $500+ right now. Seeing as we already have an Att&t wireless plan, I'll probably just get one from the store then. Thanks again, gents!

10-27-2008, 11:47 PM	#6
Footloose301 Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Fort Myers, FL Home Theater Gallery:38 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:2 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Yep. I was the very first person to walk thru the doors at Coconut Point Apple in Estero, FL the day of the launch. I even had my first gen as well. I will never get another phone. iPhones for life. They are great. No supply problems. Buy it from an Apple Store for one-on-one training. GL

10-28-2008, 01:29 AM	#7
rubberghost Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:the sub-matrix Blu-ray reviews:4	i have the white 16 gb. most people don't get the white, that's why i did. it's a cool-ass device.

10-28-2008, 12:44 PM	#10
mikejet Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:29	Check out the Nokia N95 8GB. It's a great phone and works with US 3G networks like AT&T has.

10-28-2008, 06:32 PM	#11
Downhere Power Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Central Florida Blu-ray collection:444 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:8	Definitely get the IPhone, it's the coolest phone ever.

10-28-2008, 06:52 PM	#12
Forrestandjen07 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:54	Stay away from Iphone. becuase well, you have to use it on AT&T. Thats BAD

10-28-2008, 11:33 PM	#16
QwikSand Power Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:25	I switched to AT&T just FOR the Iphone 3G and I love it. Maybe I am positive towards AT&T because the 3G coverage in my area is awesome but I do love it.

10-29-2008, 01:37 PM	#19
york weir Special Member Member since:Nov 2007	The monthly plan with data is $70 per month plus taxes and fees. The reason the models on eBay are so expensive is because they are not bound to a 2 year contract with AT&T. I would get the phone at an Apple store if you have one near you. I'm sure your girl will enjoy it, it's a slick phone.

10-29-2008, 01:44 PM	#20
SellmeyourDVD Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2008 Blu-ray collection:125 Trading Score:11	get an ipod touch instead of the iphone, it's just a much better buy. I've heard AT&t's cell phone service is very subpar and that even on the 3g network the internet is VERY slow. I love the ipod touch, it does everything that the iphone does except make phone calls and dosn't come with a crappy at&t contract. You can get a 32gb ipod touch for 330 @ the apple store online right now (refurbished model) which is a AMAZING deal.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals