how to have an iphone while paying as little as possible for monthly service?

[selvage]

i had a metro pcs phone and was paying about 45.00 a month. i just lost the phone and now i want to make the jump to an iphone4. i cant jump on a family plan with anyone so i cant save money that route. what has steered me away from iphones is paying close-to or over 100.00 a month for phone service on a single plan. are there any of you guys paying a low monthly bill for your iphones? i dont care if its at&t or verizon. the initial cost of the phone doesnt both me its the monthly charge that is hard to swallow. (i live in the US)

any tips or plan types u have that can get me a payment of around 80.00 or less after all additional fees are added. the company i work for allows me to receive about a 15% discount from either verizon or att. but the discount is only off of the plan price and not anythine else.

 

[ap3604]

Att:

$40 for 450 voice minutes
$15 for 200 mb of data
$0 for free google voice text messaging
___________________________________
$55
+
15% discount
___________________________________
$47/month

 

[rgarjr]

iphone 4 on T-mobile

500 minutes - 29.99
200MB data plan - 10.00

Total after taxes, around 45 bucks

 

[JohnDoe98]

ATT:

15$ iPad data plan, 250mb, used in iphone 4.
0$ for free unlimitted calling and texting in US and Canada using Google Voice paired with Talkatone.

Came close to using up all data once or twice in last few years so I am thinking of upgrading to 2gb plan for 25$, thereby allowing me to browse more and use Pandora without worrying I won't have data left over for calls.

 

[roflc0pter]

You can probably get a BAD ESN Verizon iPhone 4 off Craigslist and flash it to MetroPCS. Don't think data is working though at the moment

 

[eastercat]

If you're really concerned about price, then do pay as you go.

 

[selvage]

Att:

$40 for 450 voice minutes
$15 for 200 mb of data
$0 for free google voice text messaging
___________________________________
$55
+
15% discount
___________________________________
$47/month

great reply! is free google voice reliable/efficient?

can anyone suggest any other combos, maybe verizon?

 

[selvage]

ATT:

15$ iPad data plan, 250mb, used in iphone 4.
0$ for free unlimitted calling and texting in US and Canada using Google Voice paired with Talkatone.

Came close to using up all data once or twice in last few years so I am thinking of upgrading to 2gb plan for 25$, thereby allowing me to browse more and use Pandora without worrying I won't have data left over for calls.

i have to purchase an iphone out of pocket and then buy the ipad plan? i never even knew this could be done though. are there any cons to this technique?

 

[dickdaney]

great reply! is free google voice reliable/efficient?

can anyone suggest any other combos, maybe verizon?

I used google voice on ATT and now I'm using it on Verizon. As long as you have a data connection you're good. No mms though. Download GV Mobile Plus and text away.

 

[mikelegacy]

This is my plan and what I pay:

450 minutes (who talks on the phone anymore?) - $40
+ iPhone data 2GB - $25
+ Unlimited Messaging - $20
--------------------------------------------------------------
$85 x 0.25 (25% discount)
--------------------------------------------------------------
$74.40 per month

The discount i receive is only good on the voice and messaging, not the iphone data plan, but it still saves me about $10 per month.

 

[rgarjr]

how much are the taxes if you have

450 minutes - 39.99
2GB data plan - 25.00

 

[selvage]

so it looks like if i want a cheap plan at&t is the place to go?

 

[Nathan21585]

I pay 87 a month.

40 for 450 mins.
20 for unlimited texting
30 for unlimited data

Plus I get a 10% discount through an old employer.

 

[selvage]

I pay 87 a month.

40 for 450 mins.
20 for unlimited texting
30 for unlimited data

Plus I get a 10% discount through an old employer.

verizon right?

 

[wordoflife]

I'm guessing you'll get the lowest monthly plan through T-Mobile, but that will require you to buy an unlocked phone from www.apple.com, which is rather expensive.

 

[selvage]

if im buying apple care w/ my phone (i plan on keeping it for 2yrs and using it at the gym/running) should i get the monthly phone insurance too?

 

[2Southern]

1001min (in own network)
1001sms
1001mms
4.1gb
----------------
38€
+
201min (in other networks)
----------------
5€
=
----------------
43€ (61$) in total.... And you get an iphone 4 16gb for 1€ (Slovenia).

Just for comparison...

 

[JLemm]

if im buying apple care w/ my phone (i plan on keeping it for 2yrs and using it at the gym/running) should i get the monthly phone insurance too?

nooooooooooooooooo, monthly phone insurance is a scam when you have apple care!

 

[OllyW]

nooooooooooooooooo, monthly phone insurance is a scam when you have apple care!

AppleCare doesn't cover accidental damage, loss or theft.

 

[blevins321]

nooooooooooooooooo, monthly phone insurance is a scam when you have apple care!

Monthly phone insurance is a scam regardless. You're much better off getting SquareTrade for an upfront charge.

 

[tcphoto]

how much are the taxes if you have

450 minutes - 39.99
2GB data plan - 25.00

My total is $67 for 450 minutes, 200 texts and 200MB data services on AT&T.

 

[Nanker/Phelge]

Keep in mind that if your friends/family have iOS devices you likely won't need an unlimted text message plan with the forthcoming release of iMessage

 

[Nyalotha]

Wow, interesting to see how you guys pay differently, up here in Canada I pay:

55$ a month, 200 minutes (6pm+weekends)
unlimited texting
1 gig of data
caller id / ringbacks (disabled)

 

[MaxBurn]

Check into AT&T go phone smartphone prepaid plans. For light usage it is far cheaper than post paid contract plans.

 

[chestvrg]

This is my plan and what I pay:

450 minutes (who talks on the phone anymore?) - $40
+ iPhone data 2GB - $25
+ Unlimited Messaging - $20
--------------------------------------------------------------
$85 x 0.25 (25% discount)
--------------------------------------------------------------
$74.40 per month

The discount i receive is only good on the voice and messaging, not the iphone data plan, but it still saves me about $10 per month.

Wao your FAN is 25%, mine is only 15%

Sent from my GT-I9100