Do I buy iPhone now or wait?

[wilbmeister]

I have been reading the posts on this Forum for weeks now. I am going to buy an iPhone but I am wondering if I should wait a week...month...whatever. I know that things are always changing and improving. Are there benefits to waiting? I have been wondering about the following...
1. Will there be a price drop soon?
2. Is there going to be a second generation phone?
3. What is a 3G phone? ...is it worth waiting for?
4. What is SDK and do I wait to buy a phone for it?

You all know so much more about this than I do. Anything else I forgot?

Thank you for your help!

[basicfiend]

The guy who ran tiny-code (and was working on the SDK with Apple) posted something to the effect that, if he were going to buy a 16 gig phone (and he was), he would wait until Feb. 28. Sorry I don't have the exact quote from the forum, but read into that what you will.

[Keane Fan]

Originally Posted by basicfiend

The guy who ran tiny-code (and was working on the SDK with Apple) posted something to the effect that, if he were going to buy a 16 gig phone (and he was), he would wait until Feb. 28. Sorry I don't have the exact quote from the forum, but read into that what you will.

Interesting.
We all have the same dilemma.. I think I want to hold out for the 3G... but I'll wait until August (before I leave for college I must have my iphone).

[onqun]

what is iphone 3g?

[wilbmeister]

It sounds like there are a few of us with the same questions. Thanks for that info on 2/28. I guess I will see what happens then.

I was at an Apple Education Forum a few weeks ago and they hinted at an upcoming price drop on the 16g phone. I wonder if that will happen and when.

[BaronvdB]

well i just bought a 16gb iphone yesterday so i hope if there is any change on 2/28 it's just a software thing...i don't feel like returning this one and buying the newer one.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by basicfiend

The guy who ran tiny-code (and was working on the SDK with Apple) posted something to the effect that, if he were going to buy a 16 gig phone (and he was), he would wait until Feb. 28. Sorry I don't have the exact quote from the forum, but read into that what you will.

That guy was a fraud - if you read later on into that thread. He knew absolutely nothing, and just wanted to pull a prank over on us.


To the OP, check out my thread about the iPhone on the main page. I'll link you if need be, but it's right there.

as for the difference between EDGE (what the iPhone now has) and 3G, I refer you to THIS ARTICLE.

[wilbmeister]

Thanks Cupofjoe, I actually just read your post. I found it very interesting. I have been an Apple fan ever since the early 80's when I taught computers on the old Apple II's. I have had pretty much a Mac since they came out.

Now I am ready to jump into the phone. I guess if there is a price reduction in the next few weeks that would be great.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by wilbmeister

Thanks Cupofjoe, I actually just read your post. I found it very interesting. I have been an Apple fan ever since the early 80's when I taught computers on the old Apple II's. I have had pretty much a Mac since they came out.

Now I am ready to jump into the phone. I guess if there is a price reduction in the next few weeks that would be great.

Considering the 16gig just came out just before Valentines' Day, I don't know how likely that is. Then again, Apple surprises me every now and then!

And thanks! Glad you found some help in there!

[SFStateStudent]

my iPhone via iTunes will do an update. Is that the same update that you are talking about for the 28th?

[pcorajr]

Seem like there is a lot of us on the same boat. I am also planning on purchasing a new iPhone for my Birthday which happens to be the 28 of this month. So I am certain I will wait until then to purchase.

[martyrk]

When 3G becomes nationwide, will that be a software upgrade or is that going to be a physically a new phone?

[phiberglass]

Originally Posted by martyrk

When 3G becomes nationwide, will that be a software upgrade or is that going to be a physically a new phone?

Physically a new phone since 3G hardware is required that the current phone doesn't have.

[Retops]

I've been reading and drooling over the iphone for some time and just bought one on Friday. I have been waiting for 3G but finally decided that it didn't matter that much to me. Fact is, I have wireless at home and my primary office so I'll only use EDGE when I am out and about. I usually trade phones every couple of years anyway.

One thing I really like about the iphone is the way it finds available wireless signals. I was using a Tmobile Wing as my internet phone and it requires repeated trying before it will lock up with an internet signal. I am glad not to have to "fight" with the iphone to get it to do the same thing.

[martyrk]

Originally Posted by phiberglass

Physically a new phone since 3G hardware is required that the current phone doesn't have.

I have read in many places that AT&T is going 3G this year, I would assume that the new iPhone would come out then?

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by martyrk

I have read in many places that AT&T is going 3G this year, I would assume that the new iPhone would come out then?

Yes. Word on the street is that may be mid to late summer (June-ish?).

[extraextra]

Originally Posted by wilbmeister

1. Will there be a price drop soon?
2. Is there going to be a second generation phone?
3. What is a 3G phone? ...is it worth waiting for?
4. What is SDK and do I wait to buy a phone for it?

You all know so much more about this than I do. Anything else I forgot?

Thank you for your help!

I doubt there will be a price drop, but memory gets cheaper as time goes on. It might be that come summer, 16GB is $399.

There will be a second generation phone... eventually. Most people are guessing mid-late summer, but it could be as far back as next January - no one knows for sure.

3G means faster internet (faster than AT&T's EDGE network, but usually slower than WiFi) and being able to receive calls while on the internet (can't do this on EDGE). Generally, it uses up more battery (which Apple says is it's main reason for not having it yet) and is only available in certain areas since AT&T hasn't rolled it out everywhere.

SDK is a software development kit. It is given to developers who will then create apps for the iPhone with it. You don't need to wait in terms of phone hardware for this (unless you want more memory), since all iPhones will be able to download applications.

[joejoejoe]

Originally Posted by wilbmeister

I have been reading the posts on this Forum for weeks now. I am going to buy an iPhone but I am wondering if I should wait a week...month...whatever. I know that things are always changing and improving. Are there benefits to waiting? I have been wondering about the following...
1. Will there be a price drop soon?
2. Is there going to be a second generation phone?
3. What is a 3G phone? ...is it worth waiting for?
4. What is SDK and do I wait to buy a phone for it?

You all know so much more about this than I do. Anything else I forgot?

Thank you for your help!

First things first, the iPhone just got the 16gig upgrade last week, the best time to jump on any electronic product, especially an Apple product, is the MOMENT it gets updated.

1) If anything, the 16gig will replace the 8 when the 32 comes (which will take the price of the 16) but this won't be for a while. the prices will most likely stay at 399 and 499 for a very long time.

2) There IS going to be a second generation iPhone, but again, not for a while. Phones need to go through the FCC about 6 months before they are released, that means that the second gen iPhone is more than 6 months away... unless you want to wait 6+ months get the phone now

3) 3G is a network that is simply faster internet. Unless you need quick internet 24/7, finding wifi spots suffice and the edge isn't horrid as many sites you use will be iPhone optimized and will load faster.

4) The SDK is the Software Development Kit. Basically this means that the iPhone will get 3rd part applications soon, and don't worry, you won't need to get a new iPhone in the future for it. All iPhone will be able to work with the apps made by the kit.

IMO--just go get it now. And get the 16.

[BIrwin49]

No point in waiting if you ask me. You will never be able to keep up with the hottest thing Apple has out.

I got an 8gb iPhone a little over a week ago and I had the same thoughts, but as soon as something comes out within a short period there are rumors of something better.

[McGiord]

Buy now, and you can always resell later.
All the current iPhones can be unlocked so there is a good residual value in the market.
Once you use your iPhone you can't live without it. Don't waste more deays without it. You'll regret it later that you didn't have it before.

[gauchogolfer]

Just to clarify, AT&T is already deploying 3G networks in many areas across the US. There are several other phones that AT&T sells that use 3G. When the iPhone incorporates it there will be plenty of access points already in place.

[drb6]

Originally Posted by joejoejoe

2) There IS going to be a second generation iPhone, but again, not for a while. Phones need to go through the FCC about 6 months before they are released, that means that the second gen iPhone is more than 6 months away... unless you want to wait 6+ months get the phone now

I think this has come up a few times in the forums, but the consensus was that the FCC approval process takes 6 weeks, not months.

More knowledgeable ppl: please confirm or deny.

[DiamondMac]

Originally Posted by BIrwin49

No point in waiting if you ask me. You will never be able to keep up with the hottest thing Apple has out.

I got an 8gb iPhone a little over a week ago and I had the same thoughts, but as soon as something comes out within a short period there are rumors of something better.

Agreed

I asked the same question when I joined here and am extremely happy I actually bought it

[Knolly]

Originally Posted by drb6

I think this has come up a few times in the forums, but the consensus was that the FCC approval process takes 6 weeks, not months.

More knowledgeable ppl: please confirm or deny.

This is true. Also, the claims that we would know about the iPhone in advance because it shows up on the FCC are false, as FCC filings can have a delay time before they become public.