Help me! Would you be able to get another phone after an iPhone?

[AlphaDogg]

Update: My mom has finally agreed to let me buy the iPhone 4 16GB as long as I get the money. I have $86 in cash at the moment, and my old iPod Video 30GB is on sale on Craigslist...

Also, Chanukah (or Hanukkah) hasn't even started yet, and I will likely receive checks as gifts.

 

[barkingDog]

Update: My mom has finally agreed to let me buy the iPhone 4 16GB as long as I get the money. ...<snip>

Good job, my man.

Question: are you going to keep your UL data plan (e.g., fork out an extra $10/mo. more than you are paying right now for your 2G data plan)?

Remember, once you give up your unlimited data plan status, there's no switching back (at least that's AT&T's current stance. YMMV.)

 

[Robby C]

Look,
I'm 17 and I've been stuck with a "dumbphone" since I was 13. It has sucked really bad all up until now.

I used to be like you, a lot like you. I had to have every new gadget that came out... first I had to have a mac, then the iPod touch, then the iPhone, and so on and so forth.

There's a key reason as to why your parents aren't letting you use "your" money that you have in the bank. And that is because it's not really yours. The reason you have that 3k in there is so that your parents can say they gave you some cash, but you won't be allowed to use that cash until college- at which point every little penny of that 3 grand is going to be spent on school.

Now, I know it sucks. Because I want an iPhone too, I also want a MacBook Pro, and hell- even an iPad! But the truth is, at our age all of those electronics are irrelevant- you and I both know that that's the unfortunate truth.

You'll come to realize in the long run though that at our age the thing you want most isn't going to be some electronic... it's going to be a car. And now if you think that $200 you are saving for a phone is a lot imagine dropping $7,500 on a used car. If I were you kid, start saving and get a job.

I know at 14 it's harder to come by a job where you will get good hours so neighborhood jobs are good for the time being. 15 will open you up to a lot more as well, such as your local grocery store.

All I'm saying is, is that you don't want to get caught in this game of always keeping the newest and best electronics. Because if your parents aren't paying for your car you might want to start saving now because come 16 you're going to forget all about these electronics around you.

It's your money, do what you want.
That's my word of advice.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Look,
I'm 17 and I've been stuck with a "dumbphone" since I was 13. It has sucked really bad all up until now.

I used to be like you, a lot like you. I had to have every new gadget that came out... first I had to have a mac, then the iPod touch, then the iPhone, and so on and so forth.

There's a key reason as to why your parents aren't letting you use "your" money that you have in the bank. And that is because it's not really yours. The reason you have that 3k in there is so that your parents can say they gave you some cash, but you won't be allowed to use that cash until college- at which point every little penny of that 3 grand is going to be spent on school.

Now, I know it sucks. Because I want an iPhone too, I also want a MacBook Pro, and hell- even an iPad! But the truth is, at our age all of those electronics are irrelevant- you and I both know that that's the unfortunate truth.

You'll come to realize in the long run though that at our age the thing you want most isn't going to be some electronic... it's going to be a car. And now if you think that $200 you are saving for a phone is a lot imagine dropping $7,500 on a used car. If I were you kid, start saving and get a job.

I know at 14 it's harder to come by a job where you will get good hours so neighborhood jobs are good for the time being. 15 will open you up to a lot more as well, such as your local grocery store.

All I'm saying is, is that you don't want to get caught in this game of always keeping the newest and best electronics. Because if your parents aren't paying for your car you might want to start saving now because come 16 you're going to forget all about these electronics around you.

It's your money, do what you want.
That's my word of advice.

Thank you for that well thought out piece of advice. I appreciate it. However, that $3k that is in the bank is not from my parents, and nor is it my college fund. It is from gifts for my bar mitzvah.

Also, my mom will not let me take driver's ed either. So a car will be out of the question for a while.

Also, I was offered a job at my local Apple store by the manager himself. There is a thread that I started somewhere... I will link it later... But, I am not old enough and I will have to wait until I am 16 to get a job there. That is what I am counting on.

Good job, my man.

Question: are you going to keep your UL data plan (e.g., fork out an extra $10/mo. more than you are paying right now for your 2G data plan)?

Remember, once you give up your unlimited data plan status, there's no switching back (at least that's AT&T's current stance. YMMV.)

No, because I cannot afford that. I will be getting the $15/mo plan because on my 2G, I struggle to exceed 100mb/mo, so the 250MB/mo data plan will suffice.

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

Let the battery drain completely, tell her it's "dead" and you called Apple they can't fix it so you have to buy a new one. It's something you use all day every day for years, clearly a good value no matter what the cost is.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Let the battery drain completely, tell her it's "dead" and you called Apple they can't fix it so you have to buy a new one. It's something you use all day every day for years, clearly a good value no matter what the cost is.

I will not manipulate my mother like that. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[filfortugno]

How about you stop being a brat? i'm 19 and i didn't get any phone until i bought my own iphone when i got a job at 16(I'm 19) at 14 i didn't even have my own computer. So just be thankful you have a free iphone.

 

[AlphaDogg]

How about you stop being a brat? i'm 19 and i didn't get any phone until i bought my own iphone when i got a job at 16(I'm 19) at 14 i didn't even have my own computer. So just be thankful you have a free iphone.

Thanks. You do not know what my life is like and cannot tell me what to do. I have my own computer because the school that I attend requires it. The other computers that you see in my signature were given to me for two reasons: (1) it was broken. (2) the original owner had no use for it. The ones that were broken, I fixed with some rubbing alcohol. Please do no doubt my ability to repair/use computers. Thanks, but if you are going to post in my thread, please post useful information (as I said earlier).

I have my own iPhone because the tech administrator at my school had upgraded to the 3GS and I bought his old 2G off of him for $100. (this was about a year ago)

 

[SL4VE]

why dont you get your mum involved in the smartphone world... she maybe more understanding if she knows how much it helps your studies etc

or

you could just start stealing from her

 

[AlphaDogg]

why dont you get your mum involved in the smartphone world... she maybe more understanding if she knows how much it helps your studies etc

ROFL I wish I could, but she just doesn't understand how much I love my Apple products.

But she does have an LG touchscreen phone (Horrible phone IMO) that she compulsively checks her email on at least 15 times per day... So she has somewhat of a feel for a smartphone...

...you could just start stealing from her

No. I will not reduce myself down to that level... I know you were just kidding... I hope! But seriously, I will not steal money to get an iPhone... I will not risk punishment for a phone...

 

[barkingDog]

How about you stop being a brat? i'm 19 and i didn't get any phone until i bought my own iphone when i got a job at 16(I'm 19) at 14 i didn't even have my own computer. So just be thankful you have a free iphone.

How/where is the OP showing signs of this?

Does being 14 + iPhone = brat? Gotta love the kid's admiration and willingness to give the tech world his all, IMO.

FFS.... Sorry to throw the thread off topic.

 

[sviato]

get a job?

 

[AlphaDogg]

How/where is the OP showing signs of this?

Does being 14 + iPhone = brat? Gotta love the kid's admiration and willingness to give the tech world his all, IMO.

FFS.... Sorry to throw the thread off topic.

Thank you sooooo much. This put a smile on my face . Thanks for the wonderful compliment... Also, I try not to concentrate on tech too much, and I keep my grades at 85% or higher.

get a job?

Easier said than done, in this job market... If adults can't get a job in this economy, what makes you think that a 14-year-old can get a job in this economy?

 

[weirdlilwoman]

To answer your original question, after having my iPhone 3GS for close to year coming from a BlackBerry, I would have trouble going back to my BlackBerry or any other regular phone. Not that I wouldn't if I had to - I lived just fine before my iPhone. It is just convenient and I like it.

I'm also a little confused as to why a 13 year old needs an iPhone, but to each their own I guess. It's not my decision one way or the other. I will say it was smart of your mother to let you get it IF you get the money for it. That sounds fair to me. Not sure what her reasons are for not allowing you to use the money you already have, but that's not my decision or business either. I applaud you for respecting her decision.

 

[Interstella5555]

Thank you sooooo much. This put a smile on my face . Thanks for the wonderful compliment... Also, I try not to concentrate on tech too much, and I keep my grades at 85% or higher.



Easier said than done, in this job market... If adults can't get a job in this economy, what makes you think that a 14-year-old can get a job in this economy?

OP - I am impressed, you're showing a lot more maturity than people twice your age on here. As others have said, while appealing, at your age spending that much money may be something you'll regret later, but it's your choice.

 

[AlphaDogg]

To answer your original question, after having my iPhone 3GS for close to year coming from a BlackBerry, I would have trouble going back to my BlackBerry or any other regular phone. Not that I wouldn't if I had to - I lived just fine before my iPhone. It is just convenient and I like it.

I'm also a little confused as to why a 13 year old needs an iPhone, but to each their own I guess. It's not my decision one way or the other. I will say it was smart of your mother to let you get it IF you get the money for it. That sounds fair to me. Not sure what her reasons are for not allowing you to use the money you already have, but that's not my decision or business either. I applaud you for respecting her decision.

Thank you for your great input. First of all, my question implied going from an iPhone to a "dumbphone" and not from an iPhone to a BlackBerry. Second (while it is not a major error, it still kind of irks me), I am 14, not 13... And third, thank you for showing respect towards me.

OP - I am impressed, you're showing a lot more maturity than people twice your age on here. As others have said, while appealing, at your age spending that much money may be something you'll regret later, but it's your choice.

Thank you for your compliment. I sincerely appreciate it!

 

[weirdlilwoman]

Thank you for your great input. First of all, my question implied going from an iPhone to a "dumbphone" and not from an iPhone to a BlackBerry. Second (while it is not a major error, it still kind of irks me), I am 14, not 13... And third, thank you for showing respect towards me.

I know you were talking about going to a "dumbphone", that is why I said a Blackberry or any other phone. I just mentioned a BlackBerry because that is what I used to have. My apologies for getting your age incorrect. And you are welcome. You get respect when you give it

 

[kevintech]

Why don't you compromise with your mum and get the 3GS? It will be a huge upgrade over your current phone and it will be cheaper.

Even if I was the parent, if you're going to upgrade at all, just let the boy have the iPhone 4! geez lol

 

[i3igsmooth5769]

i didnt think id want anything other than my LG chocolate....lol j/k i didnt know any better until the iphone came out. So,unless something else revolutionary is introduced, im going to stick with the iphone.

 

[Sciphone]

The reality is that all phones have a real life span of about 1 year due to the amount of heat that the components undergoe durring normal operation. I say go for the iPhone 4!

 

[Interstella5555]

The reality is that all phones have a real life span of about 1 year due to the amount of heat that the components undergoe durring normal operation. I say go for the iPhone 4!

That's wildly not true, I had to use my 2G for a while last month between 4's and it still works like a champ.

 

[tigress666]

My iPhone 2G (original) is really showing its age. It is super slow, and can't even compete with the new iOS4 devices. It can't even run iOS4. So, I want to upgrade to an iPhone 4. My mom says that it is "extravagant" to upgrade. I don't use a lot of data, so the $15 data plan would suffice. I have the $20 unlimited data plan on my iPhone 2G, and use about 75MB of that per month. My mom says that if I need to upgrade, I have to get a cheap $50 phone from the AT&T store. Once you get an iPhone, you really can't go back to a cheap phone because it has so many features that cheap phones lack.

Anyway. Back to my question. As an iPhone owner, in your opinion, is it true that once you get an iPhone, you can't go back? It definitely is true in my opinion.

Edit: FYI, I am 14 and I know more about electronics than either of my parents. But my mom is the executive decision-maker.

Well, you certainly can go back and sometimes you might have to if necessity calls for it (like not being able to afford it).

But I'll say this, given the choice, I'd take the iphone 2G over a regular phone *shrug*. It may be slower and not run as many things these days, but it still does more than a non-smart phone.

 

[tigress666]

How/where is the OP showing signs of this?

Does being 14 + iPhone = brat? Gotta love the kid's admiration and willingness to give the tech world his all, IMO.

FFS.... Sorry to throw the thread off topic.

There are people on this forum who think that just cause someone had something that they didn't at that age (or still don't) that they must be a brat or just spoiled and totally undeserving (how dare some one else be luckier than them and it must mean they are brats).

To them I say their jealousy is showing.

I didn't have a cellphone at all until I was 25? I think (and it certainly wasn't my parents giving one to me) or even my own phone line (I guess the equivalent in my time as cellphones were non-existant/very rare) and the computer was the family computer (though I think I was the one who mostly used it). I don't begrudge kids today having their own computer (actually, it's probably a good thing because kids these days need to learn how to be very comfortable on a computer to get a good job, and you do that best starting them young).

And I'll echo judging from his replies the OP is showing a ton more maturity than a lot of posters I tend to see on here in general.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I went from a crappy verizon phone to an iPhone 3G to an iPhone 4. After about a month or two with the iPhone 4 I gave up on smartphones. They're so incredibly unnecessary (computer science college student with a job, btw).

So now I have a $30 Nokia. It doesn't even have a camera, but it does have predictive text. It is more than a satisfying phone and it's much better than my old verizon phone and more pocketable than any iPhone.

FYI, I am 14 and I know more about electronics than either of my parents. But my mom is the executive decision-maker.

Relevance? Do you pay your phone bill? Do you have a job to buy an iPhone? I trust your relatives want you to spend your mitzvah money on something a little more worthwhile.

 

[wordoflife]

Wow nice! My mom isn't letting me upgrade until next year because she wants to see how good I do in school. (Oh, the wonders of being 14) lol
However, I might be buying AppleCare for $174 for my Mac (since I just got my allowance )

Maybe you can get some money from selling your 2G. Actually, scratch that, personally I'd keep it so you could go to unlimited data whenever you want

To stay on topic though, yes, I think I can go back to a normal phone. My mom's taken my phone away a couple of times, and yes, while it does suck, its not something that is not possible. Plus, I really don't have a choice anyways. What she says goes.