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

[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...