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Someone talk me out of this (old thread update)

vastoholic

vastoholic

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 28, 2009
1,957
1
Tulsa, OK
So I'm in Afghanistan and I see that apple is selling the unlocked iPhone 4s. I obviously will not be using this as a phone over here. I keep putting it in my cart on the apple online store and then deleting it a few minutes later. My main reason for wanting it honestly is the Camera. I film a lot with my iPhone and I'm making some home made movies of my deployment. The 1080p would go great with my Contour Helmet Cam.

But there's really no logical reason other than that. I'll be eligible for a full upgrade in April and i get back from the deployment sometime before that. Plus, i keep telling myself to just hold out for the next one in the summer since I'm missing half of the life cycle of the 4s. Siri should working much better by then. Hell, they may have even more camera features on the next release.

I admit, I'm one of "Ooooh, shiny gadget!!! 0_0 " type guys. But since I'm limited to buying unlocked right now (My number is suspended while I'm deployed), that $760 price tag is pretty hefty for a 32GB camera, internet tool. I have wifi access out here, so it's not it would be completely useless. But I doubt Siri is going to be able to find any nearby IED's or Taliban safe houses for me.

Money is not an issue, it just seems like an unnecessary expense that I don't have to do.
 
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When are you supposed to get back? Make it (or the 5, depending on how long you're stuck there) your coming home present.

Thank you for your service.
 
Don't do it! (kidding)

Actually, if I were in your shoes and money is not an issue, I'd do it. Life is too short to put things off. If you are a gadget freak you are going to love the 4s.

And thank you for your service. :)
 
You should buy it if money is not an issue, specially factory unlocked. Have u thought you can use it in other parts of the world if u are in Germany for example if it is factory unlocked or anywhere else you could be deployed next. You'll enjoy and take great video with the 1080p feature and also use the great Internet feature over wifi. The iPhone also has a great GPS feature, sync all of your contacts via iTunes, listen to music as an iPod when not on duty, play games, watch porn, I can go on and on....I would order it and come back home and just pop in any micro SIM card :)
 
I'll just say we are expected to be done and home in March.

When everyone makes fun of me for getting this, I'm going to point the blame at all of you enablers.

**edit**
just saw the post right above mine. I already have a 4 that I've had since release and I use it for all of those things. It's my gym iPod. I don't use the GPS since it's pointless on the FOB here, plus I have a Garmin ForeTrex for that. I'm getting out of the military next December. 2 tours and 8 years is enough for me and I'm ready to move on with my life. So I doubt I'll be traveling outside of the US again after this.
 
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Thank you for your service. Grab the 4s so you can make your movies and keep the phone in great shape til the 5 comes out. Sell the 4s and use your upgrade for the 5. You should enjoy and get what you want while you still can.
 
Hmm, then I am going to have to be an enabler and say do it.

But this is probably the last place to go to get talked out of it, hahaha.
 
Why should we talk you out of it? It's your money do what you want with it. You've done 8 years what's another 12? Would be nice to have a fat retirement at what I assume is a young age? Just a thought. Thanks for your service.
 
DroidRules said:
Why should we talk you out of it? It's your money do what you want with it. You've done 8 years what's another 12? Would be nice to have a fat retirement at what I assume is a young age? Just a thought. Thanks for your service.
Click to expand...

You sound just like all the career guys. Mainly I'm getting out so I can finally finish college. I'm 26 and still have about 2 years of school left.
 
vastoholic said:
You sound just like all the career guys. Mainly I'm getting out so I can finally finish college. I'm 26 and still have about 2 years of school left.
Click to expand...

Lol, nope, got out after 6 but may join back up when I get my PA. LOl.... I joined when I was 26 (after college)

Think about going back when you're done with your school.... Of course maybe not in such a deployable MOS. Finish school at 28/29 start pulling a retirement at 42.
 
DroidRules said:
Lol, nope, got out after 6 but may join back up when I get my PA. LOl.... I joined when I was 26 (after college)

Think about going back when you're done with your school.... Of course maybe not in such a deployable MOS. Finish school at 28/29 start pulling a retirement at 42.
Click to expand...

I may do that, but go into the Warrant Officer School. Ever since I was trained on the Raven B UAV and working with the bigger UAV platforms on this deployment, I'm definitely interested in that field.
 
I'd say hold off.. I mean if your main reason is for the camera, a much better point and shoot can be had for half the price of an unlocked iPhone.. Especially if you've got an iP4 to play with.. That way when you get back you can just use your upgrade and get the iP4S for cheaper, hopefully all the bugs will be worked out by then, and you'll have it for less time before the next iPhone comes out so it's likely to be in better condition for resell ;)
 
^Just missed it by a few seconds. I just clicked the button for a white 32GB. Thankfully I have good cases with me including my Otterbox and BookBook. It should still be almost pristine upon my return.....unless it gets blown up. Then I'm screwed.
 
vastoholic said:
^Just missed it by a few seconds. I just clicked the button for a white 32GB. Thankfully I have good cases with me including my Otterbox and BookBook. It should still be almost pristine upon my return.....unless it gets blown up. Then I'm screwed.
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Don't say that, God is with you and we all thank you for defending our nation and freedom, enjoy your new toy and when u get back to US share some of your video diaries ok.
 
I say go for it. You can probably sell your iPhone 4 for a couple hundred to offset the price, and when the next iPhone comes out you will still be upgrade eligible and should be able to sell your unlocked iPhone 4s to completely cover the cost for the upgrade. Plus, you are in a dangerous line of work and god forbid you don't even make it to your eligibility. If money is no problem, get it and enjoy it.

And thank you for your service and be safe.
 
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At least it has a dual processor so when the 5 comes out it wont be as far behind as the 4 when the 4s came out
 
One thing to bear in mind. I wouldn't expect the next iPhone model in the summer. More then likely it will be around Spetember or October time.
 
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Get it now. If you wait until you get back, you will have midlife cycle phone and will be wasting your upgrade. You should use it for the next gen iPhone since it isn't coming out until next Fall. I don't think they will come out with a new iPhone next summer.
 
I'd wait and get a different camera for making movies. Having a device that you can't fully use over there is pointless.
 
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Get a camera. Get back then get the 5
 
You know if you gota ask your going to buy it but I just wanted to thank you for your sacrifice and let you know i appreciate what your doing.
 
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