Here’s where I let out a big sigh. ::Sigh::
I was planning on selling my iPhone this week (and have already received a bunch of enticing offers on Craigslist), but the more I look into upgrading to the iPhone 3G when I get back at the end of July (it launches on July 11), the less attractive that seems to be.
Sure, GPS and 3G and a swanky new exterior would be nice. But 35 Home in Middletown is right outside of AT&T’s 3G coverage, and there is no 3G service in Abington yet. So, basically, the two places I’d be using the phone the most simply cannot use the biggest new feature of the phone. And while GPS would be really cool, it’s not something for which I’m willing to pay extra. I know where I am pretty much all the time, and don’t need a satellite to tell me (though, social apps based on Core Location will be so cool)…
It’s time for another sigh. ::Sigh::
My thought was that I could sell my current iPhone for much more than the cost of the new iPhone 3G, buy the new one, and be happy. But as was to be expected, once Apple surrenders some control of their product, things go to shit. Case in point: AT&T’s new data plans will cost $30/month and will not include SMS messaging, as they do now. The new data plan is $10 more per month, and an SMS plan starts at $5/month. This means that I’d be paying at least $15 more per month for data service than I am now. Over the course of the two-year contract, that means I’d be forking over an extra $360 for essentially the same service I’m getting now.
In addition, there’s the contractual crap to deal with. I’d just be transferring the service from one iPhone to the next, so there wouldn’t be any cancellation of contract, but if AT&T decides I’m not eligible for an upgrade to the new iPhone (whatever that means), it seems that I would have to break my current contract to buy the new one. And then they’d hit me with a $175 Early Termination Fee. I was going to call AT&T to ask about this, but really, my decision has already been made.
Buying the new iPhone 3G just is not worth it right now. Thanks, AT&T.
