Could the new 32gb 3Gs be used as a cheaper alternative to the 32gb iPod Touch?

[JPIndustrie]

I already own an iPod Touch. But this was mainly meant for when the new iPod Touch comes out in the fall, would it just be cheaper to run with the iPhone

Well if you already have AT&T, you already have a PDA-type phone and paying monthly data fees then it wouldn't be 'cheaper', but more so convenient to carry one device for everything rather a separate PMP and cellular phone.

If you were to insist to carry an iPod touch + a non-PDA cell phone without monthly data charges an iPhone would not be cheaper in the long run.

 

[tangfred]

The screen has also always been noticeably better on a current-gen iPhone than a current-gen iPod Touch.

Please back up this statement. I've not heard anything to indicate the screen is any different, and I can't tell the difference (iPod Touch 2G and iPhone 3GS owner)

 

[AppleNewYork]

Would this forum be able to sponsor my 3G S bill?

 

[iphoneftw]

Would this forum be able to sponsor my 3G S bill?

only if they sponsor mine

 

[dccorona]

Where the **** is all this math coming in to play? The OP has at&t and will continue to have service with them. It's no different then his normal voice plan. It's not extra unless he doesn't have data in which I'm sure he was planning on doing so anyways. He is eligible to upgrade and two years does nothing to him if he is happy and is staying with the carrier. FAIL!


To OP: Yes, it's cheaper. Go for it. Enjoy.

in theory, he could buy a 3GS, then switch back to his old phone, call ATT and say he is no longer using an iPhone and ask them to remove the data plan. They will then remove the data plan, and he continues his service as it was before he had the iPhone. Officially though, the 3GS cannot be used unless it is activated with an ATT SIM, making what he wants to do technically impossible

there is a work around.
Listen closely, OP

-First, buy the new 3GS, sign your contract, and activate it. Then, wait a few days.
-Then, after the proper tools are released (should be soon), you will have to jailbreak your 3GS and unlock it with UltraSn0w. Once you have downloaded and installed UltraSn0w like said here http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
then reboot the phone and remove the SIM. The iPhone should operate as an iPod touch, just without cell service
-Next, remove your SIM from the iPhone and switch back to your old phone. Call ATT and tell them that you no longer are using your iPhone, and would like the data removed
-Be careful not to update your software or anything until it is said to be safe on that site listed above (check in there every day after a new release comes out to see when they say it is ok and how they say to do it), as this will ruin your jailbreak/unlock

however, you will likely still have to pay the data plan for the first month. Theres also the $18 upgrade fee, and the $18 activation fee (you amy be able to have this waived). So your not saving $100. At best you save $82, possibly only $52, and at worst, only $32. But still, you get a camera, voice controls, and a more powerful device for all that, and just a little extra set up hastle

hopefully this all hasnt been too confusing for you, or anyone who wants to do as you do

 

[Surely]

long post

When you sign a new 2 year contract, you can't just call AT&T and tell them to remove the data plan from the contract. It doesn't work that way. The $30 data plan includes the subsidy fee and is part of the new 2 year agreement you signed up for.

If you don't want to use the iPhone anymore, and want to get out of the 2 year commitment you voluntarily signed up for, you have to return it within the first 30 days or, if you want to keep the iPhone, pay the full retail price for it($699).

You can't just pay the $299, and then call AT&T and tell them you don't want to pay for the rest of it, but I'll keep the phone thank you very much.

 

[dccorona]

When you sign a new 2 year contract, you can't just call AT&T and tell them to remove the data plan from the contract. It doesn't work that way. The $30 data plan includes the subsidy fee and is part of the new 2 year agreement you signed up for.

If you don't want to use the iPhone anymore, and want to get out of the 2 year commitment you voluntarily signed up for, you have to return it within the first 30 days or, if you want to keep the iPhone, pay the full retail price for it($699).

You can't just pay the $299, and then call AT&T and tell them you don't want to pay for the rest of it, but I'll keep the phone thank you very much.

yes you can, several people on here have done it. Some for the same reason as the OP, some truthfully lost their iPhones, others were trying to get away without a data plan, but still having an iPhone

the 2 year agreement does not lock you into any special packages, you are free to add or remove items (except for lines, of course, those can only be added) at will, with the only restriction being if you have an iPhone on your account, you MUST have the data plan. The OP wouldnt have an iPhone active on his account, and so wouldnt be required to have the data plan. All he agrees to is to pay ATT for monthly service.

The subsidy isnt covered by the data plan, it is covered by the 2 years as a whole, regardless of what the plan is. This is why, if you DO have the data plan, and unlimited texting, and extra minutes, etc., then you become upgrade eligible faster. You pay more per month, and so your subsidy is paid off more quickly. In order to lock you in longer, ATT offers an upgrade, and doesn't lose anything on past subsides.

 

[MICHAELSD]

Please back up this statement. I've not heard anything to indicate the screen is any different, and I can't tell the difference (iPod Touch 2G and iPhone 3GS owner)

Really? I've always noticed my three generations of iPhones always had noticeably better screens than the many iPod Touchs I've seen (from both generations).

 

[Surely]

yes you can, several people on here have done it. Some for the same reason as the OP, some truthfully lost their iPhones, others were trying to get away without a data plan, but still having an iPhone

the 2 year agreement does not lock you into any special packages, you are free to add or remove items (except for lines, of course, those can only be added) at will, with the only restriction being if you have an iPhone on your account, you MUST have the data plan. The OP wouldnt have an iPhone active on his account, and so wouldnt be required to have the data plan. All he agrees to is to pay ATT for monthly service.

The subsidy isnt covered by the data plan, it is covered by the 2 years as a whole, regardless of what the plan is. This is why, if you DO have the data plan, and unlimited texting, and extra minutes, etc., then you become upgrade eligible faster. You pay more per month, and so your subsidy is paid off more quickly. In order to lock you in longer, ATT offers an upgrade, and doesn't lose anything on past subsides.

Please cite your claims with fact, not hearsay.

 

[Lenxal]

Clearly the OP is trolling.

 

[dccorona]

Please cite your claims with fact, not hearsay.

heres a thread full of info from people who have removed the data plan

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/557095/

heres something straight from the thread

I called AT&T less than a week after activating my iPhone 3G, and they removed the data plan for me, no-questions-asked.

the thread is full of speculation on wether or not ATT can put the data plan back on if they notice that you are using an iPhone, but since the OPs iPhone won't be activated on ATT (or anyone) then they won't know he has one, as he will be using a regular phone.

There's obviously not going to be any official ATT documentation on this, since they don't WANT people getting rid of iPhones, but it certianly can be done

unless you think all those people, and all the people from threads both here and in other places on the web (just google remove iPhone data plan to see) are just making things up, I'd say its a pretty reliable method. They can't force you to use data if your not using an iPhone