You're talking about providers and contracts. I bought my phone (and just the phone) in a highstreet shop, no link with any provider whatsoever. I can use my sim card in ANY phone.
About the 5 : when it comes out, it will have the same price tag the 4S has now. No way I can afford that.
As it stands, right now, I can't afford the 4 (without the S) either. When I wait for the 5 to be released, there's every chance that the 4 will cost what the 3GS costs now, at which point I WILL be able to afford the 4. But, again, as with the 3GS now, I will be '2 models down' from the latest and greatest. So no matter when I buy an iPhone, I will always have an 'old' model.
I'm not saying I ABSOLUTELY have to have a 3GS, but it's not easy making a decision. Google '3GS' and you won't find a clear answer to my question. Some say that the 3GS runs perfectly on iOS 5.1, others say it's unbearably laggy, slow and downright frustrating. I know, a user experience is very subjective.
As I said : not interested in Siri, facetime, photography (I've got a Sony HX100 for that) or demanding apps (like iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband) or games (I've got an iPad 2 and an iMac for that).
All I want is a smooth user experience, not raw speed...