iPhone 3G S: Why I’m sticking with my stodgy 2G model for now

Now that I'm at the end of my 2-year service contract with AT&T for my old Apple 2G iPhone, should I upgrade to the Apple iPhone 3G S?
[ Photo courtesy of: Robert S. Donovan (under Creative Commons) ]

Apple's iPhone 3G S came out today; we’re testing it in our labs, and you can follow our testing on Twitter. This third-generation iPhone has me thinking about my relationship with my current, first-generation iPhone.

I purchased an 8GB, Edge-network (or 2G) iPhone two years ago, after a long love affair with my iPod (Apple's portable MP3 player). Since I needed a new iPod, and I wanted a new phone, the iPhone seemed like a good fit.

Now my two-year contract with AT&T is ending, as it is for many other first-generation iPhone users, and I'm deciding whether to spring for the 3G S—which can do a lot more than the model I have, albeit for more money. After much soul-searching, I've decided: I am going to hold on to my "archaic" 2007 iPhone. Many of you are likely gasping in horror, but I've got my reasons.

The first one is simple economics. I can't justify dropping another couple of hundred dollars for a new phone and then paying more for monthly service. While both phones cost the same for talk time, the difference is in the data plans. Right now, my 2G data plan is only $20 a month, and that includes unlimited data, unlimited Internet access, and 200 messages. The 3G plan is $30 a month for unlimited data and Internet usage, but doesn't come with messaging ­I'd have to pay another $5 for the same 200 messages.

Also, if I sign on for the iPhone 3G S, I'll be locked into a two-year contract (again), and there are no easy outs there. I'd have to stick with the new iPhone for two years, or face early-termination fees of up to $175. By keeping my old phone (which is no longer under contract), I can decide to drop the iPhone anytime without paying said penalties.

That's not to say I'm not tempted by the new iPhone's functions and features. It would be nice to actually use Google Maps on a phone that's GPS-enabled—the 2G uses cell towers and WiFi spots to triangulate your position, or at least attempt to. The new iPhone 3.0 software supports software with turn-by-turn directions. However, I’ll need to pay an extra $10 a month for service, with the new Gokivo iPhone app, or wait for other iPhone GPS apps.

The video camera is also something I've been missing since purchasing the iPhone. All my other phones had one, and it was great to capture moments your friends instantly wish they could take back. However, I can live without video. Ditto for the faster download time of the 3G S. My two seconds here or there are not worth two hundred dollars down, and an extra $180 per year in service fees (Remember: patience is a virtue).

Finally, here's the clincher for keeping my old phone: I can add the rest of the new features (cut and paste, a landscape keyboard for the text message and mail applications, the system search feature, etc.) to my 2G iPhone with the free update to the 3.0 software, which my colleague Mike Gikas praised in his first look at it.

So, I'm satisfied with my current phone—and my decision. I'd like to know what other iPhone users are thinking: to upgrade or not? That includes you iPhone 3G owners, all of whom are still under contract for their phone. Unless you’re eligible to upgrade (see Apple’s latest on this program) to a 3G S, you’ll face either breaking your current contract, and paying penalties, or paying full price (upwards of $599) to get the new iPhone. —Will Dilella

Comments

[MN]

I too still have the 2G Iphone. I was tempted to switch to the 3GS but Apples sales slogan at first was: "You will never have to buy another cell phone again". So, I decided to stick with old faithful. If you have WiFi the speed on the 2G isn't all that bad. You can add all the features to the 2G that the 3gS has with a jailbreak which has been made super easy to do. If you can restore in itunes, you'll be able to figure out how to jailbreak. My 2g has Video Camera, MMS, Nintendo with every game ever made, and access to phones core files which I used to personalize my Iphone. 3Gs owners are shocked when they see my phone on the bus. Which goes to show Apple is milking the hard workers for their dollars. I am staying with my 2g until there is something better than the iphone all together!

[Daniel]

I am reconsidering my decision to stay with my old iPhone. My biggest problem with ATT is poor coverage, but the monthly cost is not bad and the rollover minutes is really great. I may bite the bullet and upgrade to iPhone 3G S, if and when my old one dies.

[tRoUbLe MaKeR]

I have the 2g iphone and i unfortunately have to upgrade because half my sreen no longer works, ive been struck by the dread curse. I was looking into fixing it but it seems that it will cost more to fix it than to just replace it with a newer model, i dont think i will get a 3gs seeing as im not with ATT (unlocked/Tmobile) but i have noticed that 3gs are considerably cheaper due to all those followers who jump on the newest thing from apple as soons as it drops...I personally liked my 2g and wish it would have last longer than a year and a half...sigh.

[Paul Fortino]

I too am sticking to the first generation iphone (with no contract).

But to come to that decision, I had to jump through the hoops (self inflicted).

I pre-ordered the 3GS 16 gig iphone online, and it arrived shortly after many of you waited in long lines for the same thing.

I liked the 3G speed and the processor speed, but I didn't find it amazingly faster as I had hoped.

I found Google Maps to be rather disappointing. Still having to follow a blue dot across the maps is in my opinion, DANGEROUS... while driving. And when else do I need to have the map track my location? While in downtown San Francisco, the GPS could not find my accurate location (off by two rather large blocks). Apparently it's only accurate while moving. I also found that the rotating map was inaccurate while inside my car. Again, when else will I want to use that feature? I kept getting an interference message that asked me to spin the iphone in a figure eight pattern... it didn't help! I refused to pay the extra $10/month for the turn-by-turn service, especially after reading reviews.

I never did figure out how to do MMS messaging. The vid cam was nice, but it's not a deal breaker (by the way, iphone and iphone 3G can both do vid cam if you jailbreak the phone... so it's just an Apple marketing decision to sell more phones).

Now with 3.0 installed on my first gen iphone, I don't feel like I'm really missing all that much.
Other than paying a higher rate plan for the same, or less service.

Perhaps I'll wait to see what the new Android Magic looks like when it hits the states! Or... just keep using my old, durable, aluminum back (no fingerprints) iphone.

Cheers!

p.s. When I returned the iphone 3GS... there were people lined up, hoping they could buy the one I was returning. No such luck.

[Kevin]

I'm a Day 0, 8 GB, iPhone EDGE owner (or was, before mine was stolen last week). I have $285 from my insurance to replace my phone and am also inclined to remain stodgy (and thrifty), albeit with an upgrade to the 16 GB model. My main concern is investing in "obsolete" tech, but it is difficult to stomach paying an extra $15/month for the same information.

Whatever the outcome, I do know that I'm going to spend entirely too much time making a decision.

[John Hurt-Chan]

I also feel that apple has an insidous strategy of putting out very small incremental upgrades to milk money from folks for each upgrade. Look at it from 1G, 2G, 3G, to 3GS. The phone is faster, but not that much difference. Finally we get copy/paste via OS! Big deal!

[John Hurt-Chan]

What should I do? I have the 2G and my 2-yr contract with ATT expires Sept/2009. I can upgrade to the iphone 3GS for 299 I think. But that'll lock me for 2 years. On the other hand, I'd really like to try the Android phones coming out. I dont like how apple is not open and cripples some things. iphone doesn't multitask, i cant disable the landscape auto-rotation, itunes is flakey and often doesnt recognize the iphone, apple makes you pay for simple things, etc, etc. I like the open OS of Android and that I can write Java applications for the Android also. The HTC Hero wont be available in US till probably end of the year. It looks promising, but I think from 2G to 3GS would be a worthwhile upgrade.

What should I do? I would love to try a good android phone soon. I think 1 year from now, there might be some good android phones. But right now it seems the iphone 3GS would be a good upgrade for me locking me into another 2 yr contract (else pay $175 minus $5/month passed).

Any suggestions?

[Jim]

I went from 2G to the new 3GS. Yes, the speed thing is great, and living life on the "EDGE" isn't all it's cracked up to be, but one added benefit that I haven't read about yet is the reduction in interference. My old 2G used make landline phones and various things with speakers buzz like crazy with interference, and it is greatly reduced with the 3GS.

[Michael Todd Koren]

I too have a 1st generation iPhone and have felt very happy with the software 3.0 upgrade, knowing I wouldn't get certain new features in the 3GS.

My co-worker got a new 3GS and I must say, upon repeated comparison loading of web sites, a 3GS on the 3G network loads sites about 3 times as fast as my 1st generation on Edge. Not only was that mind-blowing, but so was the very snappy performance of the phone. Got very tempted to throw in the towel and sell my phone. And by the way - my phone has outlasted any phone I have ever purchased before in the many years I've used cell phones.

Anyhow - there is a part of me that is holding back cause 2010 is around the corner and I haven't seen confirmation that Apple has renewed its exclusive deal with AT&T.

But here is the rub, I hated Verizon, not for its service which was fine, but for the fact that I had no roll-over minutes and paid through the nose every time I ran over. Worse, when I changed plans to avoid those penalty minute charges then return down again when I knew service would be limited, Verizon ruthlessly moved my contract out to 2 years from the date of the change. Every time I changed! And I had to find a salesperson at a Verizon store that hated that policy to override the change each time. And how much longer will he work there?

Anyhow, AT&T does not do that and has roll-over minutes. And the few interactions I've had with them over the phone have been absolutely delightful - better than I recall from Verizon. So there is a part of me that does not want to return to Verizon. And am totally in the dark as to why people like that company so much more, other than what does appear to be wider areas of service.

[Bob]

One thing to consider. If you have the 1G iPhone with EDGE, you'll get much better phone reception with either the 3G or the 3GS iPhones.

[Jane]

I had the same reservations going from the 2G to the 3GS; but after reading numerous reviews and comparisons, bit the bullet. I am extremely glad I did. The added speed doing everything is tremendous. Virtually no wait in loading web pages and their graphics. All apps are loading much more quickly, equal to a good high speed internet connection.

When the 3G came out last year, I couldn't see a great deal of difference. I can with this one. It makes the phone function even more like a netbook.

Activation was no problem, nor was restoring the settings from my old phone.

[Daniel]

I too, have a 2 year old iPhone, purchased the first day it was sold! I am tempted to upgrade now that there is a significantly better phone. But I agree with all the above reasons for staying with my old phone, at least until I can get a Verizon iPhone. I am the only member of my family on ATT and the second rate service is really getting old, the last thing I want is to sign another 2 year contract with ATT. Who knows, I may wait for 4G!

[Tim]

I too had an 8GB iPhone 2G (refurbished), but sadly had to buy a 16GB 3G model when the old phone slipped out of its holster and got run over in the middle of an intersection. The phone still worked, but the display was cracked in a million pieces. So in order to get another phone (I was not interested in an 'unlocked' 2G version), I purchased another refurbished unit from AT&T in January. While the price was less and I got more memory, the contract went up. I do enjoy having the GPS though. While it is very limited, it has helped me out immensely, and without a fee, which in some ways offsets the contract raise. I am actually thinking of terminating my contract early, pay the penalty, and use the iPhone as an iPod touch, especially now that I've upgraded to v3.0. I just wish a third-party vendor would develop a native turn-by-turn navigation app that I could use offline; Apple probably wouldn't allow it though. Time will tell. But I really enjoy the phone; I could just do without the contract and lousy AT&T service.