T-Mobile and Apple Announce iPhone Germany Rate Plans

[PabloGS]

The amazing thing is that this just shows how expensive the T-Mobile/O2 deals are.

Indeed, I completely have to agree...

39¢/min incl. VAT compared to max 49¢ by EU regulations when roaming...

That's almost as if I were roaming all the time - Insanely expensive.

I'll stay with my 5¢/min prepaid tariff and my N73.

I mean... I don't get the hype all about the iPhone...

- no UMTS
- can't use the phone as a mobile modem either
- no video telephony
- closed platform
- battery can't be replaced by user
- high price
- high tariff
- just a lousy 2mp camera with no flash photography
- GPS navigation

My N73:
+ UMTS
+ works as a modem
+ has two cameras, where one is for video telephony, mms and stuff
+ open platform (Symbian OS)
+ battery replaced easily
+ now that it's 2 years old, it's pretty cheap
+ can be used with any provider
+ 3mp camera with flash
+ GPS Navigation with a GPS Mouse and Software like TomTom or Route66

Now you gurus don't start crying things like "It's easy to use" or "It's got a big screen". I know that: Look, last month I had the choice, 160GB iPod classic or iPod Touch or wait for an iPhone... I went with the classic because of it's functionality. Phones at price ranges of 200$ or € and up aren't about the looks, and they also are about functionality and a N95, BlackBerry or Linux or Windows based PocketPC Phone are what business people or tech savvy guys usually get.

Sorry Apple... fix or implement those things I criticize, and I'll happily spend 500€ for an iPhone - meanwhile I'll stick with my N73 (and MacBook) to surf the Web while on the road.

 

[Dembo]

You didn't count the unlimited data. Unlimited 3G data would be something between 9 to 19 euro per month depending of the operator. And the hotspots.. I dont give any value for the hotspots as the network is way too sparse in the country size like german. But who needs the wlan anyway if you got unlimited data?

That's exactly what T-Mobile wants you to believe but it is just plain wrong: EDGE ist not 3G. People call it 2.5G or 2.75G but essentially its plain old 2G GPRS. Forget about the maximum possible data rate - if multiple devices connect to the same cell, data rate drops down to a crawl. I did a few test runs using my (acctually my employer's) T-Mobile HSDPA/EDGE PC Card and it stinks. It would be just okay if they were charging a decent price but I will not pay today's prices for yesterday's data speeds and last century's voice plans. Even if they are coming with tomorrow's device...

As it stands I think the only way is to wait for the 3G enabled iPhone. Damn... That crappy Samsung SGH i600 suddenly looks much more attractive *sigh*.