Sprint iPhone Price! WTH??? (towers, Android, coverage, reception)

[kcam213]

Originally Posted by Dr. Foosball

Most kids have these phones by 8th grade now. I teach high school kids and at least 80% of them have smartphones.

My 1st grade daughter will be getting my 3GS when I get the 4S. It won't have phone service, but it is a wonderful learning tool.

I did this same thing with my 6th grade daughter. I had an old iphone and gave it to her to use for wifi in my house (Comcast internet) and just straight phone service through AT&T. I had the phone set to for no data downloads etc because I didn't want to get ridiculous charges.

Well, AT&T fixed that for me. They seem to have a way of detecting the type of phone you have... smartphone vs non smartphone. Even though my daughter did not download any KB, her phone was switched to a smartphone type of account. It was the lowest/cheapest, but still a smartphone account.

I was told this would happen by people on message boards... they were right.

[Dr. Foosball]

Yes. Smartphones are required to have a data plan. I'm just not going to get any service for it. It will still work with wifi, but won't have any phone capabilities.

[tigrs99]

Originally Posted by Dr. Foosball

Yes. Smartphones are required to have a data plan. I'm just not going to get any service for it. It will still work with wifi, but won't have any phone capabilities.

You can also get a 3G or 4G MIFI Router and use that to get data access on your phone I normally use prepaid phone for phone service for my iphone and use unlimited MIFI data for the phone ipad ipod as you can connect 5 devices to MIFI

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by kcam213

They seem to have a way of detecting the type of phone you have... smartphone vs non smartphone. Even though my daughter did not download any KB, her phone was switched to a smartphone type of account. It was the lowest/cheapest, but still a smartphone account.

You can use it on AT&T's pre-paid GoPhone service for less money. They don't officially allow it but if you buy an activated GoPhone SIM card and put in the iPhone it will work. Just don't tell them it's for an iPhone. They have lots of good cheap plan options if your daughter doesn't use many minutes, texts or much data outside of wifi.

[Mrs.JT]

Originally Posted by Charles22

Your child does not need an iPhone.

Thanks, but YOU don't need to tell me what MY child needs. And you're right. He doesn't NEED one. He just WANTS one. Period.

None of us "need" an iPhone. As a matter of fact, none of us, adults included, "need" one.

[Mrs.JT]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

All phones in the USA are artificially cheap. The carriers subsidize them - and for the iPhone they probably send $200 to Apple Inc when you buy one for $200. They need to earn that money back hence the infrequent renewals allowed and the two year contract.

No reason to whine. It is the way things are done in the US.

Sure, if you SAY so.

And when is there EVER a good reason to whine? And whining is vocalized. You must have high tech gadgets that interpret my text into voice. I have no issue with paying $200. That would have been a GOOD deal. Quite frankly, I was expecting to pay about $400...but over $700 including tax is ridiculous. So that, my dear, IS a reason to VENT, which is what I was doing.

[Mrs.JT]

Originally Posted by NJBest

They are discontinuing it, but you can still do yearly upgrades until 12/31/12.

Thanks for the info.

I'm going to find out what the cancellation fee is for my son's contract (his contract has a longer obligation left than mine) and probably cancel. I had no idea that service would be almost useless in our new house. Reception is TERRIBLE. So...that, coupled with ridiculous pricing, is making me consider ATT or Verizon.

[h0tmess]

This is why, IMO, the no contract/pre paid market is rising and is a better value.

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by Mrs.JT

Am I losing my mind? What am I missing? I promised my son an iPhone if he kept up his end of the bargain with his grades. Report cards came out today, and the deal is still on.

I'm not due for an upgrade for another 6 months or so, and the price without upgrades is RIDICULOUS. I've been with Sprint/Nextel for over 10 years. I'm sure this is an age-old complaint...but WHY. The "regular price" for JUST the 16 gig is $649.99. With a 2 year contract, it's $199. I was about to purchase the phone for $649...but I came to my senses. Seriously...ridiculous. I'd be better off canceling my current service and starting anew. Even with the cancellation fee, I'd fare better!

...shoot...maybe I'll just cancel ALL together and take my business elsewhere.

Lol...we actually did this.

I was a year away from an upgrade and my phone was toast. So I figured I would switch to an iPhone. Well our son wanted an iPhone as well. So I canceled our Sprint contract for 200.00 while waiting inline at the AT&T Store for a 4G and a 3GS for our son. I got the 4G for 199.99 and the 3GS for 50.00 and everyone's happy!

[Evan702]

Eh, $400 for a 16gb iPhone 4S (not G).as long as you're happy I guess that's all that matters...I thought the 3GS was supposed to be free now...?

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