Anybody here want to give me some advice before I buy an iPhone?

P

PlatinumIce

CAGiversary!
So I've never had a smartphone, and this will be the first time I'll be purchasing my own (and paying for my own) cell phone. Anyway, there are a few things I'd like to know about Verizon's iPhone policies (and smartphones in general) before I take the plunge.

I've had an iPod touch for a couple years now, so I know how the iPhone would work and everything, but I'm mostly confused about Verizon's policies. First: Do they offer an unlimited plan at all? I've heard both that they do and that they don't, and the cheapest you can get is a 2GB a month plan.

I guess I'll go ahead and assume the worst-case scenario, and ask: How much is 2GB a month? Is it enough to last me a month?

Also, what happens if I go over 2GB? Does it just cut off internet access to my phone for the remainder of the month, or does it bump me up a notch to the next plan for that month?

I guess that's all for now. Any light you can shed on these matters would be great, thanks!
 
I have AT&T but I can still answer some of your questions.

2GB isn't really needed unless you are almost never on wifi, which I am most of the time.

Also i'm not sure about Verizon, but with att if you go over 200mb (15/month) or 2gb (25/month), then they charge you the full price of 15$ for another 200mb chunk, or if you have the 2gb plan, then they charge another 10$ per 1gb. It is kind of ridiculous i know.

You have to try really really hard to go over 2gb. 200mb might be if you use youtube alot and download apps off wifi.
 
I have AT&T and I'm quite sure the plans are similar. I don't really recall how much 2GB plan is per month but that is the max you can get with ATT at least.

As far as how much data that is, you have to remember that your phone will be connected to WiFi in most public areas that allow it and hopefully you have wifi at your place of residence. As long as your phone is pulling from wifi, you aren't using your 2GB allotment.

I'm a fairly heavy internet user and was at first worried about only have 2GB per month, but because there is so much free wifi around it hasn't been a concern. The most I've used is probably about 700MB and that was after watching some netflix during the month.

While 2GB is quite gimped compared to the previous unlimited plans, I find that it is more than enough for surfing, watching some youtube videos, etc.



Maybe a Verizon iphone user could help more.
 
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I don't have an iPhone. I have a Droid X with Verizon. Our plan is unlimited data. Though, we (my SO and I are on the same plan) only average around 500 MB/month. We only surf the internet when we are out from home, we download a couple apps/games per month, and check email daily. If you would hit 2 GB, it is based on how you plan to use the "data" features.

Overage works like this. Your phone's service will continue. You will then be charged $10 per every additional 1 GB. Example: you have 2 GB plan and you hit 3.5GB, you would be charged an additional $20 on bill.
 
Just curious to the people who have an iphone on At&t. Im thinking about switching over from verizon to att but from what I read in the latest Consumer reports they pretty much bash att. They rate them as the worst cell phone carrier. Drop calls. Lose of signal. Anyone with att have good experiences?
 
yea it's kinda a bad time to get a smart phone right now....since everyone is tiering their data plans... you can eat 1gb in no time with streaming video and music. Watching Netflix will certainly eat your data plan quickly.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']yea it's kinda a bad time to get a smart phone right now....since everyone is tiering their data plans... you can eat 1gb in no time with streaming video and music. Watching Netflix will certainly eat your data plan quickly.[/QUOTE]

This is true, but this is the ONLY way you will probably go over your limit. Just if you want to watch Netflix, use WiFi.
 
I stream pandora/ sticher for multiple hours a day at work and still haven't come close to my 2gb limit.

In regards to dropped calls for AT&T, poor signal and the such, it has to do where you live. If you are in a crowded metropolitan area, you can experience these kind of problems. When I am in these types if areas, it is more that the 3G suffers instead of dropped calls and poor signal. Where I live and work, I rarely hav any of these issues
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']Just curious to the people who have an iphone on At&t. Im thinking about switching over from verizon to att but from what I read in the latest Consumer reports they pretty much bash att. They rate them as the worst cell phone carrier. Drop calls. Lose of signal. Anyone with att have good experiences?[/QUOTE]

I live out in the boondocks and the signal can be shady at times (usually around 2 bars) but it is standable, otherwise everywhere else I go i'm usually at full bars and 3g. Rarely do my calls get dropped (maybe once a month), and usually has to do with that i'm in the middle of nowhere.

There really isn't anything wrong with them in my opinion.
 
[quote name='keithp']Don't buy an iPhone right now. The new one will be out next month.[/QUOTE]


and wait to see which network gets it outside of AT&T too.. seems that Iphone fares better on Verizon's network. I dunno about Sprint's.
 
Just throwing my 2 cents in the ring. OP I don't know when you are planning to switch to an iPhone but with the rumors that the iPhone 5 is coming soon(rumored october), I would point out that you could wait for new technology(at pricing of what current model is) or just wait for a drop in price of the iPhone 4 model.
 
Thanks to all who answered!

I think I will wait to get an iPhone, at least until the iPhone 5 comes out, maybe more.

I just figure I'll go over my limit because virtually all the time I'd want to use an iPhone would be when I don't have WiFi. As I mentioned, I've had an iTouch for years, and if I got WiFi everywhere I wouldn't really want an iPhone too badly. Not to mention most of what I'd be doing on it would be watching Netflix or watching YouTube videos, and I'd probably do that for a total of an hour or so off wifi a day, along with streaming Pandora for an hour or two a day.

But thanks again for all your help/advice!
 
When I went in to get an Iphone they convinced me to buy the HTC Inspire instead (an Android phone)

Some of the best advice I ever took.

Don't get me wrong - if you don't mind paying too much the Iphone is a quality smartphone.
 
[quote name='PlatinumIce']Thanks to all who answered!

I think I will wait to get an iPhone, at least until the iPhone 5 comes out, maybe more.

I just figure I'll go over my limit because virtually all the time I'd want to use an iPhone would be when I don't have WiFi. As I mentioned, I've had an iTouch for years, and if I got WiFi everywhere I wouldn't really want an iPhone too badly. Not to mention most of what I'd be doing on it would be watching Netflix or watching YouTube videos, and I'd probably do that for a total of an hour or so off wifi a day, along with streaming Pandora for an hour or two a day.

But thanks again for all your help/advice![/QUOTE]

I go to the gym about 5 or 6 days a week and stream Pandora the entire time (at least an hour and a half a day).

I don't think I've ever gone above 500MB per month.
 
[quote name='Kendro']I go to the gym about 5 or 6 days a week and stream Pandora the entire time (at least an hour and a half a day).

I don't think I've ever gone above 500MB per month.[/QUOTE]

But that, coupled with my viewing of Netflix/Youtube for a good hour or two a day would probably set me over my limit, no?
 
[quote name='PlatinumIce']But that, coupled with my viewing of Netflix/Youtube for a good hour or two a day would probably set me over my limit, no?[/QUOTE]

very possible.
 
[quote name='PlatinumIce']But that, coupled with my viewing of Netflix/Youtube for a good hour or two a day would probably set me over my limit, no?[/QUOTE]

Do you really expect to watch YouTube videos every day on your iPhone or is it something you're only planning due to the excitement of actually getting one?

YouTube over 3G is very pixelated and low quality so I consider it unwatchable. I think the only time I use it is when I want to listen to a new single. Or when I'm connected over Wi-Fi and even then I'd rather just watch on my iPad and PC.
 
I have an Evo Shift and Sprint, unlimited data plan. Basically, I have to pay an extra $10 a month for 'premium data', other than that I get to do whatever I want- minutes are the only thing with a cap, but combining free mobile to mobile across all carriers and free night and weekends means I rarely dip into the minutes anyway. The big crapout for Sprint is the phones are locked into Sprint's service... they won't work with any other provider if you want to switch later.

I agree that youtube over 3G (and even 4G) sucks... it takes forever to load, and if you happen to move out of the data zone, even for a second, you have to re-load and start the video over. Don't have netflix, can't speak for it. Basically, avoid video unless you're on wifi, which eliminates most of your need for unlimited data.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']^
maybe he means get a tablet instead.[/QUOTE]

that still wouldn't make any sense.

It's like if I asked for advice on what bicycle to purchase, and he told me not to buy one, get a boat instead.
 
[quote name='DestroVega']that still wouldn't make any sense.

It's like if I asked for advice on what bicycle to purchase, and he told me not to buy one, get a boat instead.[/QUOTE]
An iPhone is not just a phone. If you're getting one, you're getting one for the things it can do besides be a phone because otherwise you're a fucking moron for spending 400$ or 600$ whatever they cost, on a phone. I'm giving OP the benefit of the doubt and assuming he's not a fucking moron. So, for the things an iPhone can do besides call people, a laptop or PC could do better and for a comparable price.

And no, its more like you asked which moped you should buy and I instead told you to get a bike and a motorcycle.
 
A laptop or pc can't be carried everywhere in your pocket.

That's the whole point of smartphones. Having a device that can do all that stuff that you can easily carry everywhere with you without having to lug around a backpack or briefcase etc.

So I don't see how recommending a laptop/pc to someone wanting a smartphone is any help at all. It's not like they don't know about those computing devices, or just want smartphone for calls. Anyone considering a smartphone wants a phone that can surf the net, check e-mail and run apps. Noe one buys them in place of a desktop or laptop.
 
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[quote name='crystalklear64']An iPhone is not just a phone. If you're getting one, you're getting one for the things it can do besides be a phone because otherwise you're a fucking moron for spending 400$ or 600$ whatever they cost, on a phone. I'm giving OP the benefit of the doubt and assuming he's not a fucking moron. So, for the things an iPhone can do besides call people, a laptop or PC could do better and for a comparable price.

And no, its more like you asked which moped you should buy and I instead told you to get a bike and a motorcycle.[/QUOTE]

Lol
 
I always see people sitting in bars by themselves, doing nothing but playing with their smartphone, even when there's a hot chick next to them. I would laugh my ass off if they were sitting in there with a laptop on the bar.
 
Actually I found Netflix quite watchable over AT&T 3G on my iPhone 4, although I understand that AT&Ts 3G is faster then Verizon's. However only while not moving in, say, a train. If you are moving it will cut out periodically in a really annoying fashion. Plus, yes, it will use a lot of data. I do stream a lot of AAC+ music and that is not a problem. I actually have unlimited data but the only time I even came close to 2 GB was when I was trying Netflix over 3G. I think you'll be fine with 2GB, but skip playing Netflix over 3G.
 
word on the street is sprint will be keeping their unlimited data when they get the iphone (date undetermined). so you might want to wait for that if youre worried about going over 2GB. either way, you should wait for the iphone 5 to come out, either to get that or to get the iphone 4 cheaper, it's only a couple months away at most.
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']Just curious to the people who have an iphone on At&t. Im thinking about switching over from verizon to att but from what I read in the latest Consumer reports they pretty much bash att. They rate them as the worst cell phone carrier. Drop calls. Lose of signal. Anyone with att have good experiences?[/QUOTE]

I'm in the Minneapolis area with an iPhone 4 on AT&T and have never had a single problem in a year and a half. Reception is a bit rough in my basement but that's the same with every carrier.

To the OP:
Try and get on another person's account as an add-a-line. $30+tax for nearly unlimited minutes, 2GB of data that you'll never hit as long as you're responsible about data usage and unlimited text.

If you're going Verizon then you'll be closer to $45-50 for that same bunch of stuff as their 2GB plan is $30 instead of $15 from AT&T.
 
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