A new phone, or a newer phone, or not?

[triedunture]

OK, so here's the deal. My old cell phone is about 5 years old. It's rather embarrassing. I just found out I should be expecting a $2,000 tax refund.

Time to think about a new phone, perhaps?

There are three arguments as far as I can tell: the iPhone, the G1, or saving my money and waiting 6 months for something else.

Argument 1: The iPhone

Pros

Mr Fry loves his, and so does my boss. They seem to have a high degree of customer satisfaction.

The new app store for the iPhone is more robust than the G1 right now (but that may change).

If I bought an iPhone, I would never need to even consider buying a Kindle, now that the new Kindle for iPhone app is out. That means I could buy all the new eBooks.

It's an admittedly sexier phone than the G1, I think.

Cons

I would have to ditch Verizon for AT&T mobile, and I hate AT&T's service so much.

My monthly phone bill would go from $45 to about $75.

The battery life is bloody awful, I've been told.

I would be buying into "iPhone mania" which is a ridiculous thing to be ashamed about; it's a damned good phone, but now it seems every young white New Yorker has one.


Argument 2: The G1

Pros

In my heart of hearts, I believe in Android technology. I personally favor the open-source model as opposed to Apple's model.

I like the combination touchpad/qwerty keyboard better than the iPhone's touchpad.

Its battery life, especially if you go for the upgrade, is far superior to the iPhone.

I would rather give my money to Google, which has provided me with more free services in my life than Apple ever will. Sorry, sorry, I just realized I would actually be giving my money to T-Mobile, since Android is open-source. I would be supporting Google though, I guess?

Cons

I would still have to ditch Verizon for T-Mobile, but I've never heard any complaints about T-Mobile service.

My monthly phone bill would go from $45 to about $80, so slightly more than the AT&T plan.

I wouldn't have Apple tech support. As much as I hate to admit it, when I've needed something replaced or fixed, Apple has always been a pleasure to deal with and I don't know what to expect from T-Mobile.

Argument 3: Take the Sodding Money and Buy Groceries for Pete's Sake

Pros

I am very poor, and having some money in case of emergency is a good idea.

If I waited, I could possibly hold out until Verizon came out with their own Android phone which would save me a lot of hassle.

I wouldn't have wasted $250 on Janet which, although a darling little netbook, would be rendered near useless by having an internet-ready phone on me at all times.

Cons

I would still be that pillock with a crappy old phone.

I would want to shoot myself in the face.

I would wither and die.

So I dunno, what do you think? If you have any experience with any of these phones or carriers, let me know.

[Poll #1360853]

Cons

Comments

[jackpy.livejournal.com]

I recently bought an iPhone, myself, so I can only speak to you on it's loveliness, as I've not experienced the G1. It is lovely. Mine's 16gigs, 2G and I probably paid too much for it ($350 + shipping, insurance), but I didn't wait around for a better deal. It came pre-unlocked + jailbroken, though they're not difficult procedures if you're not inclined to that. Unlocked, if you unfamiliar, lets you use any SIM card with the phone (I use AT&T, myself, prepaid), and jailbroken gives you a variety of user-made apps, which quite pleasantly DOES make it open source.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Sounds ace. Problem is, if it's unlocked and jailbroken, afaik that means you've voided your warranty straight out of the gate: good luck getting tech support further down the line.

*grumbles about iPhone arrangements*

... if the OP has to have one or the other of iPhone/G1 I'd be inclined to go with the iPhone for the reasons mentioned - someone I know is a happy (and busy) iPhone user.

[jackpy.livejournal.com]

Well, assuming you back-up your phone prior to the breaking and etc., apparently your warranty will stay put, though I'm afraid I've not personally spoken to anyone with the issue.

[triedunture.livejournal.com]

I have spoken to someone who did that, and it's not good news.

[starpanties.livejournal.com]

I also have an iPhone, 16GB and 3G and it is awesome. I had an old craptastic phone too, but now that I have this, well, it makes the train ride to work more enjoyable, especially since I can watch episodes of Jeeves and Wooster or any such show that I fancy.

[chandra-nox.livejournal.com]

I have heard that T-Mobile tends to not work when you leave populated areas like cities. I don't know how much of a problem that is for you...

If the only problem is having an old phone, you can buy a newer model, Verizon-capable phone, but a cheaper one (although not an LG Shine, because the screens on those tend to break) that's not so fancy, use the rest of the money for groceries/emergencies/etc. and wait until a phone you want that Verizon carries comes out.

Just a suggestion :)

[georgeodowd.livejournal.com]

I have to use an iPhone at work, and frankly, I can't stand it. Now, now, I know what everyone's saying: I'm a biased bigot who thinks Apple should fall off a very steep cliff. But! It's really not the software that's bad... it's that it's the damnedest most uncomfortable thing to hold for any length of time. Combine this with talking to some army schmuck from Georgia for an hour who doesn't know what a browser is, and it makes for a very painful process.
That being said, my friend has an iPhone and it did save us from being impossibly lost in the wilds of Milpitas one late, rainy night. So I have to be thankful to it for something.
Personally, I just couldn't justify the monthly cost...

[mxdp.livejournal.com]

I DON'T KNOOOOOW *bangs head against wall*

[hwshipper.livejournal.com]

Surely this is your dream phone!

[who-is-small.livejournal.com]

Hi :) well, I have somewhat hastily marked Don´t buy either, ´cause I am waiting for iPhone2, which should be da real ace. Also, I do not wish to cough up for iPhone and have it updated on my ass in next few months, as mentioned for example in this random metaquoted post (concerns iPod, but the gist is the same):
http://community.livejournal.com/metaquotes/7061232.html
Yet any time I get a call, I receive it in surreptitious manner for my phone is getting prehistoric.
So I would say Follow Your Heart and go for the cool iPhone1, logic be damned.

[cerublu02.livejournal.com]

I went through the same dilemma only last week! My phone was embarrassingly old.

Though I finally decided I WANTED an iPhone (and have since before they debuted), I ended up deciding that the high monthly bill just wasn't worth it (yet). Wasn't sure about going the unlocked/jailbroken route. I figure I can do without and at least I don't have to be embarrassed when I pull out my new phone (LG Dare). It's much better than my old crap-tastic phone, even if it may not be great by today's standards. ;)

Am I terribly old-fashioned in my preference using a flip phone to talk? LOL.

Many of my friends in the NYC area who switched to AT&T are unhappy with the service. Those who use their phones still complain about the battery life and dropped calls. Dunno. They still have the iPhone (and I'm still jealous), so it can't be too bad/worth it.

I had T-Mobile (voice plan) for years and I personally do not find it as good as Verizon. It's reliably decent but Verizon is definitely better-at least in the NYC area. In elevators, buildings and basements where I never got reception... I now get a signal. Nice. No more getting cut-off when I get into an elevator.

There was one time I had service and my Sprint/Verizon friends did not get a signal. It was in the middle of nowhere and someplace I've literally been to ONCE, so. There you go. Other than that...I vote Verizon.

T-Mobile's prices have increased (since I went with them waaaaay back in the day to save money...) so I'm paying only slightly more now on Verizon for a voice plan. Definitely worth it.

After the free month of vCast w/ unlimited data plan is up I think I have to have it. AND it should only be about $55 with taxes. I am already addicted to accessing the internet on my phone (as I knew I would be) though not as bad as it would be if I had an iPhone.

I think I will eventually get an iPhone, though. Next version. Unless Stephen finds something better. ;)

[lady529.livejournal.com]

I'd not buy either, I'd get food. But then I have a rather old, somewhat tattered mobile that I'm not replacing until it properly breaks 'cause I couldn't afford it (I don't see the point).

And I'm hungry.

The Lady 529