Should I get an iPhone?

peanuthead

Title taken from the apt 'should I get an ipad' - much the same idea, except I'm asking about an iphone.

If post is too long, just skip to BOLD at the end

So I would like to know if I should get an iphone.

I'm not mad into technology and really just like my phone to make/receive calls and texts.

However I got a nokia 50-something or other (see, really not into technology) and got into the swing of these apps and podcast thingys.

However, the phone is kind of crap - extremely unreliable and turns itself on and off all the time.

Basically, I've come to realise that my crappy phone is just a cheap-o version of an iphone.

Thing is, I asked my brother, who has an iphone, if I should get one and he said no. He says they're too expensive and not really worth it. He says its best to buy one second hand as he did, but I'm not prepared to do that as once bitten twice shy with the second hand phones.

The other thing is I could also buy one a lot cheaper if I switched to bill. But at the moment I spend €20 a month on the phone and don't want to move to bill if it will end up more than that, which it probably will.

So I know that ultimately its a personal choice, but what would people recommend?

Should I buy an iphone?

guil

i'd say yes because i have one and love it but it if i was u i'd get a cheaper android phone

Royale with Cheese

I'd be wary of the current cheap Android phones. Most of them are running very old version of Android and a lot of apps won't work on them. I think Android will provide a very good option for a cheapish smartphone in a year or two, but right now I'd avoid.

peanuthead

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Don't mind paying for the iphone to be honest, it's a lot of money and don't get me wrong, I'm not loaded, but I'm just wondering is it really the be all and end all of phones at the moment or are there cheaper phones out there that are also pretty good. I don't necessarily mean an android, which I can only assume is like a cheap rip-off of an iphone, I just mean a different phone that is decent. This Nokia 5530 which I have is TERRIBLE

Royale with Cheese

peanuthead wrote: »

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Don't mind paying for the iphone to be honest, it's a lot of money and don't get me wrong, I'm not loaded, but I'm just wondering is it really the be all and end all of phones at the moment or are there cheaper phones out there that are also pretty good. I don't necessarily mean an android, which I can only assume is like a cheap rip-off of an iphone, I just mean a different phone that is decent. This Nokia 5530 which I have is TERRIBLE

You've basically just described some of the high end Android phones, which are very decent (certainly not a cheap rip off of iphone) and worth the money. Could be picked up for about €400 sim free, not cheap but not quite in iphone price territory. Cheaper again if you go second hand.

tigershould

yes, buy it if you intend to invest in a smart phone

its the best smart phone on the market today (IMO)

your alternative will be an Android running device, like the HTC desire, but i dont think they are at the iphone level (yet) - they may be in a year or two.

thirdly, it may be worth going for a Windows Mobile as they have just released their new operating system. while i have not had any experience with phones with this operating system, i dont expect them to challenge Apples lead in the smart phone market for at least another year (ie quality/quantity of apps available etc)

finally, i think asking this question in the apple forum is going to give a biased opinion for apple products.

Blazer

I'd say yes and go with a bill phone.


Both myself and my mate bought a iphone.
He bought his ready to go so paid €599 for it and spends approx €20 a month on it...however he's always running out of credit and so never gets to use data on it. Total cost over 18 months? = €959

I bought mine on bill with 3, paid €319 for the phone with 300 flex units a month, 1 min = 1 flex unit or 2 x texts =1 flex unit, and 4.6gb of data.
I paid €40 a month which over 18 months = €1039.

So for the sake of an extra €80 I basically have unlimited data access and a ton of calls each month that I come nowhere near maxing...


to me that's a no blinder, bill = win.



I've criticized the iphones in the past with good cause and so waited till the iphone 4 before I took the plunge.
And I'm glad I did.
I never used facebook on the pc or twitter as I couldn't be arsed, now I use it all the time.
I no longer have to watch my calls as I've more than enough ever.
If I'm bored I can play a game, read the news, watch sky sports or if I need to pass a few mins while my car is in the garage or something it's great.
Same for shopping, I always read reviews on something before I buy it, now I can pull up the reviews at the shop and decide on the spot. I love my iphone....now if only the whole country had 3g enabled



Now don't make the mistake of thinking Android is a cheap knockoff of an iphone.
It's an excellent operating system and phones like the HTC desire really show off it's capabilities. To get the same capabilities on the iphone like tethering, wireless hotspot you have to jailbreak the iphone whereas the android phone has these as default.
They're cheaper to buy and the packages are around the same price.

I would have gone for a HTC Desire but it boiled down to 2 things.
I also use a ipod nano for my Nike+ app which basically tracks all my running done for the past 2 years. I didn't want to lose this feature.
I had an itouch for watching movies while going abroad etc so I went for the iphone to replace both these devices and my everyday phone.


So...if you can't afford an iphone get an android phone...you won't be disappointed with either of them.
HTC have a new version of the desire HTC Desire HD coming out so maybe keep an eye out for that.

vintac34

In your case i would say NO...
Ive got a 3gs...wonderful gadget email and great apps etc.....but its not good for making/ receiving simple phone calls particulary in weaker signal areas.....my N5800 was far better...also short battery life is a pain in the rear also everything has to be done through Itunes..
I like it in many ways but wont buy again..simply not good for making calls!!!

kjl

Yes, you will never look back.

Whiskey Devil

Anybody have experience of using the IPhone 4 on 3 network in and around South Dublin? I have read some of the horror stories on here, but I'm wondering if it can depend on location? I want to move from O2 as the Three monthly options are much better suited to my usage.. I'm not too worried about the cost of the phone itself, but it has to be functional if I'm tied into an 12/18 month contract..

Cheers!

drunkmonkey

iPhone, bahh, get yourself a HTC Ace, Desire, Samung Galaxy S, you won't listen but I just said i'd throw it out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaxU0ut5tUw

rivalius13

Windows Phone 7!!

-runs-

DiarmaidGNR

No. They are overpriced for what you get. Just a status symbol that makes you look like a dick.

ironictoaster

DiarmaidGNR wrote: »

No. They are overpriced for what you get. Just a status symbol that makes you look like a dick.

Haters gonna hate.

Get the iPhone, brilliant devices.

Sarn

They are very expensive. I eventually caved this year and picked one up (retired my 5 year old SE K750i) and haven't regretted it. I had considered getting the HTC Desire as my brother has one, but just decided on the simplicity of the iPhone. I'd never used podcasts before but have found myself using them due to the absence of a dedicated radio.

It really depends what type of user you will be. If you want to use data all the time go for a bill pay. I would rarely have the need to use much data, wifi covers most of my needs, which is why I went pre-pay. My annual spend on phone credit is only about €60 - 80. Some would argue that it was a waste me getting one, but I find the ability to quickly check something on the internet or use an app very useful without having to turn on my computer or if I'm out and about. My experience with phone reception has been perfect and battery life based on my usage is great, 9 days is my record from a full charge (over 9 hours usage).

The one problem I had was in relation to the crap quality headphones (IMO) that came with it. This is probably the same for all phones though and was easily remedied.

whiterebel

Sc@recrow wrote: »

To get the same capabilities on the iphone like tethering, wireless hotspot you have to jailbreak the iphone whereas the android phone has these as default.

With Three you don't have to jailbreak?

whiterebel

Sarn wrote: »

They are very expensive. I eventually caved this year and picked one up (retired my 5 year old SE K750i) and haven't regretted it. I had considered getting the HTC Desire as my brother has one, but just decided on the simplicity of the iPhone. I'd never used podcasts before but have found myself using them due to the absence of a dedicated radio.

It really depends what type of user you will be. If you want to use data all the time go for a bill pay. I would rarely have the need to use much data, wifi covers most of my needs, which is why I went pre-pay. My annual spend on phone credit is only about €60 - 80. Some would argue that it was a waste me getting one, but I find the ability to quickly check something on the internet or use an app very useful without having to turn on my computer or if I'm out and about. My experience with phone reception has been perfect and battery life based on my usage is great, 9 days is my record from a full charge (over 9 hours usage).

The one problem I had was in relation to the crap quality headphones (IMO) that came with it. This is probably the same for all phones though and was easily remedied.

I'm sorry, I must have missed something.....Did you have it attached to a car battery?I wouldn't get 4 days even if I left it in airplane mode for the whole time......

Sarn

whiterebel wrote: »

I'm sorry, I must have missed something.....Did you have it attached to a car battery?I wouldn't get 4 days even if I left it in airplane mode for the whole time......

Just 9 hours actual usage and on standby in between. An average charge would generally get me 7 days. I have 3g and wireless switched off until I need them.

guil

i'm calling porkies

rivalius13

guil wrote: »

i'm calling porkies

Ya, definitely calling bull**** there. Screencap of usage page or GTFO.

Sarn

I don't see why I'd bother lying about something like this, but here's the latest usage page. Based on my current usage I should get another 4-5 days off the one charge. Apple also says the iPhone has a 300 hour standby time so not really that hard to believe.



As I said previously, I'm a light user.

rivalius13

Ho.Lee.****.

guil

In fairness y would ya bother with an iPhone if ur as light a user as ya say
A nokia for 100 euro would do the same

x in the city

guil wrote: »

In fairness y would ya bother with an iPhone if ur as light a user as ya say
A nokia for 100 euro would do the same

I got a Nokia N82, a smart phone with a camera that licks the a$$ of the iPhone.

Couldnt be bothered my ballix to get an apple device of any sort, (of which there are (too) many)

rivalius13

x in the city wrote: »

I got a Nokia N82, a smart phone with a camera that licks the a$$ of the iPhone.

Couldnt be bothered my ballix to get an apple device of any sort, (of which there are (too) many)

The N82 is not a smart phone. Symbian hasn't been a smartphone OS since the iPhone came out and people realised it was really, really, really ****ty.

But hey, you wanna tell yourself you're cool and hip because you don't buy Apple products go ahead, really must question why you're in this board....perhaps you're trolling...I suggest you invest in a proper phone before trying that again.

whiterebel

rivalius13 wrote: »

The N82 is not a smart phone. Symbian hasn't been a smartphone OS since the iPhone came out and people realised it was really, really, really ****ty.

But hey, you wanna tell yourself you're cool and hip because you don't buy Apple products go ahead, really must question why you're in this board....perhaps you're trolling...I suggest you invest in a proper phone before trying that again.

I thought he was extolling the virtues of the iPhone, saying the N82 LICKS its ass, rather than kicks it.....;)

Matt Bauer

peanuthead wrote: »

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Don't mind paying for the iphone to be honest, it's a lot of money and don't get me wrong, I'm not loaded, but I'm just wondering is it really the be all and end all of phones at the moment or are there cheaper phones out there that are also pretty good. I don't necessarily mean an android, which I can only assume is like a cheap rip-off of an iphone, I just mean a different phone that is decent. This Nokia 5530 which I have is TERRIBLE

Yes. Bought an iPhone and I have never looked back, and this is coming from a former Nokia fanboy.

x in the city

Apple users are in a parallel universe with their own o/s of course...:rolleyes:














*imaginary flicks the N82 screen to scroll through messages....