1 year, 4 months ago
Is it worth getting Verizon's iPhone 4 now or should I wait until the next iPhone comes out?
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M$2 Answers
The next iPhone will likely be released in the summer (late june / early july) like all the other iPhones have. That means you'd have about 5 - 6 months of waiting. The rumor mill regarding the iPhone 5 (or whatever they'll call it) hasn't really picked up yet other than to suggest no-brainers like better battery, faster processor, and better camera.
The only really innovative hardware feature that seems to have some possibility right now, is NFC (near field communication). This would be used in similar ways to RFID - meaning that you would wave your phone infront of a scanner and have information sent to that scanner... it would likely be used similarly to smart cards etc; however this is yet to be confirmed, and would also require infrastructure support by retail stores.
There's also an outside chance that the next iPhone will be 4G, but 4G networks will not be widespread by Summer 2011, and it doesn't really fit Apple's MO to complicate their design with features that won't be usable by most people.
My guess is that the next iPhone will be more evolutionary than revolutionary... it would seem to fit the pattern and transition period of networks moving to 4G.
iPhone to iPhone 3G - big improvements and design changes
iPhone 3G to 3GS - fine tuning and refinements
3GS to iPhone 4 - big improvements and design changes
4 to 5 - ... my guess is fine tuning and refinements.
So with all that said, if you need a smartphone now and Verizon is your network, the iPhone 4 is a good choice. If you're interested in an even better camera or you have some other smartphone right now that will hold you over, I'd try to wait till summer. If you'd have to break a contract now or in the summer, I'd wait till summer because most networks pro-rate their cancelation fees.
The only really innovative hardware feature that seems to have some possibility right now, is NFC (near field communication). This would be used in similar ways to RFID - meaning that you would wave your phone infront of a scanner and have information sent to that scanner... it would likely be used similarly to smart cards etc; however this is yet to be confirmed, and would also require infrastructure support by retail stores.
There's also an outside chance that the next iPhone will be 4G, but 4G networks will not be widespread by Summer 2011, and it doesn't really fit Apple's MO to complicate their design with features that won't be usable by most people.
My guess is that the next iPhone will be more evolutionary than revolutionary... it would seem to fit the pattern and transition period of networks moving to 4G.
iPhone to iPhone 3G - big improvements and design changes
iPhone 3G to 3GS - fine tuning and refinements
3GS to iPhone 4 - big improvements and design changes
4 to 5 - ... my guess is fine tuning and refinements.
So with all that said, if you need a smartphone now and Verizon is your network, the iPhone 4 is a good choice. If you're interested in an even better camera or you have some other smartphone right now that will hold you over, I'd try to wait till summer. If you'd have to break a contract now or in the summer, I'd wait till summer because most networks pro-rate their cancelation fees.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Report Abuse
People who should get it now:
1. Current Verizon Customer with an expiring contract: Let’s start with the no brainer. If you are in the market for an iPhone, you are a current Verizon customer, and your contract has expired or about to expire, there is no reason for you not to get the iPhone.
2. Expired or Expiring Contract on ANY other cell phone company: Again, no brainer here, if your contract is expiring with your current provider, no reason why you shouldn’t go and get the Verizon iPhone. The only caveat here would be that if Verizon cell service is not good in your area and AT&T has better service. Then it would be smarter to go with the provider that has better coverage in your area.
3. If you got the money to burn: As I will share here in a bit, it is going to be somewhat expensive to get out of your current contract and move over to Verizon to get the iPhone. But hey, if you got the money, then by all means, it is your choice.
People who should wait:
1. Current iPhone 4 owners: Ok, sorry to break it to you current iPhone 4 owners, at least in my opinion, I think it is wise for you to wait. The price is too big to pay. Let me break it down for you. It is going to cost $325 minus $10 per month that you have been on your current contract to get out of your AT&T plan. So, lets say you got your iPhone 4 when it first came out. That means by the time you can get the Verizon iPhone, if I did my math correct, that is 8 months. So you would minus 80 from 325. Your new total to get out of your AT&T contract is now $245. Add to that the cost of the new iPhone. Lets say you are going to get the 16GB one for $199. With tax and other misc. fees you are probably looking at a bill of about $550 or more. For argument sake, lets say you can sell your current iPhone 4 for $350 to be safe. So you are now looking at about a $200 bill for that new Verizon iPhone. Now, I know this may not be much to some people. But it is worth noting.
The other question you need to ask yourself outside of the financial side is “Is it worth switching just for the network?” At this point, all you would be doing is switching to another network. If you are itching to get over to Verizon, my advice is wait till this summer when the iPhone 5 comes out. At least at that point, you will have a new iPhone and a better network. I can see spending $200 on that. But to spend $200 now, just to switch the network, just doesn’t make sense to me.
2. Current iPhone 3GS owners: Yes, even you iPhone 3GS owners, I think you should wait. Let’s do the math here as well. We will say you got your iPhone 3GS when it first came out. That means you will have had your iPhone 3GS for about 19 months. Which means your ETF from AT&T is now $135. Then if you add in a new 16 GB Verizon iPhone you are looking at paying around $350. Let’s say you can sell your iPhone 3GS for about $150. You are still looking at about $200 for the new iPhone.
The good news for you, is that your contract, depending on when you got your iPhone 3GS is about 5-6 months away from being up. That is perfect. Give Verizon a few months to work out the kinks of the new iPhone. Then when your contract is up with AT&T this summer and presumably the iPhone 5 will be out, this is when you switch over. Now you get double the reward, the newest iPhone and a better network.
Other Things to Think About
Outside of numbers, there are a couple of other things you need to think about that may sway your decision. These are not major deal breakers, but they are worth noting. The first is that the Verizon iPhone will act as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 devices. This will be nice to have WIFI where ever you have Verizon service. On the flip side, with AT&T you can be on a call and use data at the same time. With Verizon you can’t do this.
As far as the calling and data plans are concerned. That is a whole other post. But instead of re-inventing the wheel, David Chartier over at Macworld, did a great post on comparing the calling and data plans of AT&T and Verizon. Check it out here.
Conclusion
Now, let me say, there are many differing opinions out there about what you should do. I think the only absolute is that if your contract is expired or about to expire and you want to be on Verizon, then it is a no brainer. Outside of this scenario, you will have to make your own decision as to what is best for you. Personally, I got an iPhone 4 when it first came out. AT&T service is okay where I live. I will admit, Verizon is much better. But I just cannot see spending $200 or more just to switch to Verizon at the moment. I will probably wait until this contract is up and switch over to Verizon when the iPhone 6 comes out in a year and a half.
Good luck with your decision making. I know a lot of people are trying to figure out what to do. I hope this post was able to give you more insight as to what you should do. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section. Would love to help in any way that I can!
1. Current Verizon Customer with an expiring contract: Let’s start with the no brainer. If you are in the market for an iPhone, you are a current Verizon customer, and your contract has expired or about to expire, there is no reason for you not to get the iPhone.
2. Expired or Expiring Contract on ANY other cell phone company: Again, no brainer here, if your contract is expiring with your current provider, no reason why you shouldn’t go and get the Verizon iPhone. The only caveat here would be that if Verizon cell service is not good in your area and AT&T has better service. Then it would be smarter to go with the provider that has better coverage in your area.
3. If you got the money to burn: As I will share here in a bit, it is going to be somewhat expensive to get out of your current contract and move over to Verizon to get the iPhone. But hey, if you got the money, then by all means, it is your choice.
People who should wait:
1. Current iPhone 4 owners: Ok, sorry to break it to you current iPhone 4 owners, at least in my opinion, I think it is wise for you to wait. The price is too big to pay. Let me break it down for you. It is going to cost $325 minus $10 per month that you have been on your current contract to get out of your AT&T plan. So, lets say you got your iPhone 4 when it first came out. That means by the time you can get the Verizon iPhone, if I did my math correct, that is 8 months. So you would minus 80 from 325. Your new total to get out of your AT&T contract is now $245. Add to that the cost of the new iPhone. Lets say you are going to get the 16GB one for $199. With tax and other misc. fees you are probably looking at a bill of about $550 or more. For argument sake, lets say you can sell your current iPhone 4 for $350 to be safe. So you are now looking at about a $200 bill for that new Verizon iPhone. Now, I know this may not be much to some people. But it is worth noting.
The other question you need to ask yourself outside of the financial side is “Is it worth switching just for the network?” At this point, all you would be doing is switching to another network. If you are itching to get over to Verizon, my advice is wait till this summer when the iPhone 5 comes out. At least at that point, you will have a new iPhone and a better network. I can see spending $200 on that. But to spend $200 now, just to switch the network, just doesn’t make sense to me.
2. Current iPhone 3GS owners: Yes, even you iPhone 3GS owners, I think you should wait. Let’s do the math here as well. We will say you got your iPhone 3GS when it first came out. That means you will have had your iPhone 3GS for about 19 months. Which means your ETF from AT&T is now $135. Then if you add in a new 16 GB Verizon iPhone you are looking at paying around $350. Let’s say you can sell your iPhone 3GS for about $150. You are still looking at about $200 for the new iPhone.
The good news for you, is that your contract, depending on when you got your iPhone 3GS is about 5-6 months away from being up. That is perfect. Give Verizon a few months to work out the kinks of the new iPhone. Then when your contract is up with AT&T this summer and presumably the iPhone 5 will be out, this is when you switch over. Now you get double the reward, the newest iPhone and a better network.
Other Things to Think About
Outside of numbers, there are a couple of other things you need to think about that may sway your decision. These are not major deal breakers, but they are worth noting. The first is that the Verizon iPhone will act as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 devices. This will be nice to have WIFI where ever you have Verizon service. On the flip side, with AT&T you can be on a call and use data at the same time. With Verizon you can’t do this.
As far as the calling and data plans are concerned. That is a whole other post. But instead of re-inventing the wheel, David Chartier over at Macworld, did a great post on comparing the calling and data plans of AT&T and Verizon. Check it out here.
Conclusion
Now, let me say, there are many differing opinions out there about what you should do. I think the only absolute is that if your contract is expired or about to expire and you want to be on Verizon, then it is a no brainer. Outside of this scenario, you will have to make your own decision as to what is best for you. Personally, I got an iPhone 4 when it first came out. AT&T service is okay where I live. I will admit, Verizon is much better. But I just cannot see spending $200 or more just to switch to Verizon at the moment. I will probably wait until this contract is up and switch over to Verizon when the iPhone 6 comes out in a year and a half.
Good luck with your decision making. I know a lot of people are trying to figure out what to do. I hope this post was able to give you more insight as to what you should do. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section. Would love to help in any way that I can!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
