Why such a high demand for the old iPhone?

[daneoni]

£120 when it was worth £220

I think cos it was a friend...he gets extra discount as opposed to a stranger. I sold my 10 month old 4GB also in good condition but without the bag and shrink wrap for £205. There is a demand even moreso for unlocked iPhones

 

[bdorpetzl]

I loved my original 4gb from 6/29/07, however, I decided to upgrade because of the lack of an aluminum back. My reception was poor at my house (frequently No Service would be on the screen.) Since switching, I have not had that problem at all.

I would agree that unlocking is the driving force behind the demand for 1st generation iPhones.

 

[MonsterRain]

I was looking to get the old iPhone shortly before the 3G was released. In the end, i'm so glad I got the 3G iPhone because a) it's 16GB and b) 3G was FINALLY brought to this area last week. Good stuff. Makes the purchase worth it, easily.

 

[Bodhi395]

I suspect a lot of people agree with me that the lack of curvature and metal back on the old phone looks a heck of a lot nicer. I suspect the original will be held to be something of a design classic compared to the new iteration. Obviously this is one of these subjective opinion things, but I imagine there are a significant chunk of people who feel like this.

But likely the main issue is that the old phone is unlockable for other networks and international roaming.

Phazer

I don't get why people like the metal back better. I would agree 100% if it were an ENTIRE metal back. But its 3/4 metal and then there's an ugly black plastic strip at the bottom. That ruins it for me, and makes it look ugly. I realize the black strip is there to get reception, but it still looks bad compared to the back on the 3g, which is entirely black(or white) and gives it a more refined and consistent look. The original also doesn't have the nice curves of the 3g. I guarentee you that if the original was the nice curvy black back, and the 3g was the 3/4 metal with a plastic strip, people would be in an uproar on how ugly and terrible the new design is.

 

[Anthony T]

Maybe some people like the design of the old phone better, and don't need 3G or it's not available in their area.

 

[QCassidy352]

how about this - because if you buy a 3G now, you're not eligible for an upgrade when the next iphone comes out. And IMO, the 3G is a quite minor improvement over the 2G, so I'm holding on to my 2G and hoping that the next update, which I'll be eligible for, will be more significant.

 

[garybUK]

Yeah it was a friend, and to be honest it wasn't worth much to me, the hassle of selling it to someone when it's unlocked wasn't worth it. It was going to sit there doing nothing.

I told him not to let iTunes update the phone any further it has 2.0 unlocked and jailbroken (which i did before i gave it him)

i think the plastic on the new ones look cheap

 

[AutomaticHaze]

how about this - because if you buy a 3G now, you're not eligible for an upgrade when the next iphone comes out. And IMO, the 3G is a quite minor improvement over the 2G, so I'm holding on to my 2G and hoping that the next update, which I'll be eligible for, will be more significant.

Not trying to step on anybodys toes, but how do you know 3G owners wont be eligble if/when a new iphone comes out?? Im almost sure if we bought the 3G before a date, we will be eligble just like it was with the 2G.

 

[danny_w]

Not trying to step on anybodys toes, but how do you know 3G owners wont be eligble if/when a new iphone comes out?? Im almost sure if we bought the 3G before a date, we will be eligble just like it was with the 2G.

I think now you are into the 2 years before upgrade scenario. Remember, the first iPhone was not subsidized, so at&t wasn't losing anything by allowing you to upgrade early. However, the new 3G *IS* subsidized, so you can bet at&t is going to hold you to the contract and not allow an upgrade until you have had it long enough to pay for the subsidization.

 

[AutomaticHaze]

I think now you are into the 2 years before upgrade scenario. Remember, the first iPhone was not subsidized, so at&t wasn't losing anything by allowing you to upgrade early. However, the new 3G *IS* subsidized, so you can bet at&t is going to hold you to the contract and not allow an upgrade until you have had it long enough to pay for the subsidization.

Oh, makes sense. I see, i think its worth haveing 3G. At least now i do, since there's not a new iphone out.

 

[TheSpaz]

I bought an original iPhone

Here are my reasons:

1. I think the 1st Gen iPhones look better
2. I think the 1st Gen is more durable
3. I like the matte finish on the back (I don't wanna be constantly wiping 2 sides)
4. GPS isn't all that exciting to me
5. 3G isn't available in my area
6. No cracks
7. Lays flat on a table (no rounded back)
8. Doesn't scratch as easily
9. $10 cheaper every month

 

[osubrad04]

I think that the original iPhone has simply a more solid build. I have owned both and prefer the original build much better. The 3G is more more scratch prone and does not seem to be built for long term use.

 

[Hey Jude]

Better build quality?

No cracking on the case?

No yellow screen?

Just looks better?

3G and GPS not actually that compelling really?

I'm sure there are lots of reasons why people are happy to go with the old iPhone.

These are all of the reasons why I am waiting until the third installment

What do you mean better build quality?
Heres why people go with the iPhone: they're just too poor to afford 3G service. choosing EDGE over 3G is like choosing dial up over DSL, but a lot of people do that so who am i to judge

Yeah, right...your logic astounds me.

For the record, I bought a $300+ Garmin Nuvi, so no need for aGPS and 3G was not enough to justify the awful plastic case, IMHO.

I personally enjoy the way the first generation iPhone looks better. It's much more classy with it's metal back and feels more solid in the hand.

This is the main reason I did not purchase a 3G.

It somehow feels cheaper!?

I went to my local Apple store to play with the 3G models, whilst holding my v1 in my hand, and both black and white iPhones looked cheap, IMHO. I didn't even test 3G speeds as there was no way I was going to buy it.

However, I respect the opinions of those who prefer the 3G looks over EDGE, and I see no reason to insult them by posting the drivel that I see from those posters supporting their 3G purchases.

Jude

 

[iBookfan]

Alot of the 1gen iPhones goes to Europe, 'cause the dataplans is way more expensive in Europe than in the US. Like here in Denmark I bought a iPhone 1gen for 483$. If I should have the 3G I would have to pay the iPhones price at 321$ + 120$ pr month. And overhere the contract is for 6 month. So a total for 3G is: 1106$ (circa)

Which in my oppion was too expensive. I bought mine for 483 and only pay 40$ pr month with my carrier (unlocked)

Thats why they are attractive

 

[The Phazer]

I don't get why people like the metal back better. I would agree 100% if it were an ENTIRE metal back. But its 3/4 metal and then there's an ugly black plastic strip at the bottom.

20% nasty black plastic = better than 100% nasty black plastic.

I think I actually prefer it to be two tone too. Breaks it up a bit.

I also hate the new curvature beyond words. It doesn't sit in my hand nearly as well and looks horrendous.

Phazer

 

[Stram]

A

 

[Hey Jude]

20% nasty black plastic = better than 100% nasty black plastic*.
I think I actually prefer it to be two tone too. Breaks it up a bit.

I also hate the new curvature beyond words. It doesn't sit in my hand nearly as well and looks horrendous.

Phazer

Gotta tell ya Phazer, best line I have ever read on Macrumors.

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!

*Emphasis is mine

 

[branjosef]

I like my 3g black iphone. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. I like the curved back but I also liked my original iphone. I kinda wished they had advanced the original design more. I think they definitely cut corners for cost sake with the new phone despite what they say about all the antennas and such. I also liked the original iphone's screen layout. It looked like it covered the whole front and the border around it was less prominent. i think had they kept the aluminum backing from the first one- offered it in black and curved it with the silver button accenting of the new phone, it would have been a smash. Oh- and they should of offered a 32GB version this time around. I bet alot of people are going to be pissed when christmas rolls around and more iphone variations (more colors, bigger HD) are put out . They should of just did all that at the beginning.

*my 2 cents