Apple's latest smartphone, the iPhone 3G, hit stores on July 11th. It has since become the most sought-after, must-have personal gadget the world over, taking up where its predecessor left off. But is it worth upgrading to or purchasing a 3G iPhone? This brief overview of the cost of the new iPhone 3G, as well as its pros and cons may help make that decision.
What Does the 3G iPhone Cost?
AT&T, which is Apple's exclusive iPhone sales partner in the US, has slashed the price of the new 3G iPhone by $200 for customers who also sign a two-year contract. This brings it's price down to $199 for the black 8GB iPhone, and $299 for the black or white 16GB iPhone.
This subsidy strategy brings the iPhone within the reach of a broader consumer market, and serves as a powerful magnet for pulling cell phone customers from Sprint, T-mobile, Verizon and other competitors. AT & T gets a pretty quick payback on this $200 subsidy, as the average iPhone customer typically runs up a tab of about $100 a month from the more expensive calling and data plans.
PROS: What does the iPhone have to offer?
*3G speeds at half the price for faster access to the Internet.
*Built-in GPS technology
*Support for 3G, Wi-Fi and EDGE networks
*Simultaneous voice and data communication
*Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support
*10 hours of 2G talk time, 5 hours 3G talk time
*Up to 6 hours high-speed web browsing
*About 7 hours video playback, and 24 hours audio playback
*Parental control capability
*Significantly improved reception and sound quality
CONS: What are the downsides to owning the 3G iPhone?
*Two-year contract required to be offered the reduced $199 price tag
*The higher 3G speeds are selectively available to areas that are serviced by the 3G network.
*The sleeker new case design means that a first generation device dock cannot be used.
*3G iPhone dock is not included with the phone – it has to be purchased separately
*More expensive data plan than regular cell phone plans
*2 megapixel camera and 480 x 320 display holds up poorly with other smartphones
*The much-touted 3G technology demands a lot more battery power
The Option to Upgrade With iPhone 2.0 Technology
Anyone who already owns a first generation iPhone may still be able to enjoy some benefits of the new iPhone at no cost, with a simple download. Apple has made it possible to extend the features and capabilities of the original iPhone with free iPhone 2.0 software updates that can be downloaded from the new App Store.
The new iPhone 2.0 software comes pre-installed on the new 3G iPhone, but is also available to owners of first generation iPhones as a free download. Some of the features that this update offers include:
*Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync technology, which provides push e-mail, contacts, and calendar.
*Support for hundreds of third party apps
*Bulk email move and delete
*Scientific calculator
*Parental controls
*Language support
*Integration with hundreds of third party applications
To Buy or Not to Buy?
Is the iPhone 3G worth the sticker price and getting locked into a two-year contract with AT&T? For those who own an original iPhone, a simple download may make this decision a moot point. For those who do not own one, this overview of the pros and cons may help in making an informed decision.
RESOURCES
How to Sync an iPhone with your Outlook Calendar or Google Calendar
