iphone upgrade?
October 7, 2011 9:27 AM Subscribe
I currently have an iPhone 3G that is a several years old but still perfectly serviceable. I have the opportunity to upgrade to an iPhone 4 for a reduced price. Is it worth it, or should I pay more for a 4S?
My current iPhone 3G is 8 GB and more than half of that 8 GB is free. (My carrier is the hated AT&T, but honestly I don't have enough of an issue with them to switch to something else.) I can get a reduced-price iPhone 4 with a new contract. The question is two-fold:
1. Is it worth it to upgrade to a 4, or should I hold out and spend more money for a 4S? (Or should I even wait for a 5?)
2. If I do upgrade to a 4, will 8 GB still be enough or should I go to 16 GB? I'm not using much space right now, but I don't know if things like pics/video will suck up tons of space.
My current iPhone 3G is 8 GB and more than half of that 8 GB is free. (My carrier is the hated AT&T, but honestly I don't have enough of an issue with them to switch to something else.) I can get a reduced-price iPhone 4 with a new contract. The question is two-fold:
1. Is it worth it to upgrade to a 4, or should I hold out and spend more money for a 4S? (Or should I even wait for a 5?)
2. If I do upgrade to a 4, will 8 GB still be enough or should I go to 16 GB? I'm not using much space right now, but I don't know if things like pics/video will suck up tons of space.
I decided to upgrade my 3G to the 4S merely because it was worth the extra $100 to me to have double the space.
posted by Zophi at 9:38 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by Zophi at 9:38 AM on October 7, 2011
How badly do you want Siri and the nicer camera?
posted by empath at 9:42 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 9:42 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, I would think that space will not be as much of a consideration as it used to be once iCloud comes out next week.
posted by empath at 9:43 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by empath at 9:43 AM on October 7, 2011
You seem to have had a better experience with the 3G then I. My 3G became virtually unusable with the iOS 4 upgrade (I'm currently using my wife's old 3G, she never upgraded the OS so its more usable). I'd worry about the same thing with new iOS upgrades down the line. The 4S is a pretty considerable step up in processing power so I think it would have a longer lifespan then an iphone 4 which is getting slightly long in the tooth.
posted by bitdamaged at 9:43 AM on October 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by bitdamaged at 9:43 AM on October 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
2. If I do upgrade to a 4, will 8 GB still be enough or should I go to 16 GB?
I don't think you can get a 16 GB 4. It's 8 GB 4 $99 or 16 GB 4s for $199.
I would definitely pay the extra $100 for the extra space, the better camera, and to have the best iPhone for at least a year.
posted by smackfu at 9:50 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't think you can get a 16 GB 4. It's 8 GB 4 $99 or 16 GB 4s for $199.
I would definitely pay the extra $100 for the extra space, the better camera, and to have the best iPhone for at least a year.
posted by smackfu at 9:50 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
As with all tech, it depends on a combination of what you're using it for now, and what you might use it for late -- and with phones, you generally have to think two years ahead of yourself.
The big selling points for the 4S are the camera and Siri; since you're with AT&T, the dual-protocol support is less of an issue: if you're confident that you're not going to take advantage of them, stick with the 4. (The processor bump / battery life for the 4S are significant for people with newer phones, but upgrading from a 3G to a 4 is going to feel like a substantial leap anyway.)
bitdamaged's point about the demands of iOS is well taken, but since the 3GS isn't going away, it's hard to imagine that Apple's OS updates will cripple the core performance on that model, even if certain features remain limited to newer models.
I'd wait a little to see if the real-world performance of the camera makes it a viable replacement for a point-and-shoot.
posted by holgate at 9:52 AM on October 7, 2011
The big selling points for the 4S are the camera and Siri; since you're with AT&T, the dual-protocol support is less of an issue: if you're confident that you're not going to take advantage of them, stick with the 4. (The processor bump / battery life for the 4S are significant for people with newer phones, but upgrading from a 3G to a 4 is going to feel like a substantial leap anyway.)
bitdamaged's point about the demands of iOS is well taken, but since the 3GS isn't going away, it's hard to imagine that Apple's OS updates will cripple the core performance on that model, even if certain features remain limited to newer models.
I'd wait a little to see if the real-world performance of the camera makes it a viable replacement for a point-and-shoot.
posted by holgate at 9:52 AM on October 7, 2011
Doesn't the $100 difference between the 4 and 4S work out to something like 5% of the total two-year contract price? That's pretty minor for the upgrade to a better camera and what should be a significantly faster phone (4S has the same dual-core processor as the iPad).
posted by 6550 at 9:55 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by 6550 at 9:55 AM on October 7, 2011
Best answer: I would get a 4S because it will still be totally functional when the iPhone 5 comes out with whatever bells and whistles that version of iOS will have. The new processor in the 4S means that eventually the iPhone 4 will be like the iPhone 3 and not able to get future updates. Since you're signing a new contract for 2 years, you'll be much happier in 18 months when you're still capable of the latest and greatest iOS whereas the iPhone 4 might be left out or slow. There may be apps that only work on the new processor (today it is just Siri) or run slower, be defeatured on older phones. You can always delete stuff if the storage is full, but you can't upgrade the processor.
You will notice a huge performance jump when you get either the 4 or 4S. Less lag when you open apps and do stuff. The camera in the 4 is actually useful so you may snap more photos an video and thus need more space for that. The 4S camera is even better.
posted by birdherder at 9:57 AM on October 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
You will notice a huge performance jump when you get either the 4 or 4S. Less lag when you open apps and do stuff. The camera in the 4 is actually useful so you may snap more photos an video and thus need more space for that. The 4S camera is even better.
posted by birdherder at 9:57 AM on October 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
AT&T has some 16 GB 4 (plural but without an S of fanciness) on the website today until they sell out, smackfu. I am facing the same dilemma as the OP. I actually wanted a refurb 4, which disappeared as an option as soon as I tried to buy one. I want the 16 GB one, though, not the new 8 GB.
posted by artychoke at 9:57 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by artychoke at 9:57 AM on October 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you amortize the extra $100 over the 2-year contract, that's…not even a $5 difference per month. I've got a 4 and I think I could get an extra $5 worth of happiness per month out of the 4S.
posted by adamrice at 9:58 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by adamrice at 9:58 AM on October 7, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the comments, everyone. I didn't stop to think about the iOS and future upgrades. This has been very useful.
I currently have a 10 MP point-and-shoot that I don't use much because I don't tend to carry it around with me. It should like the 4S should be a significant upgrade from my 3G in terms of the camera, at least.
At the moment I don't really care one way or the other for Siri. It sounds cool, but it's not a must-have feature for me.
I don't think you can get a 16 GB 4. It's 8 GB 4 $99 or 16 GB 4s for $199.
AT&T is offering a 16 GB 4 for $149.99 and a 32 GB for $199.99. Only a $50 price difference, but it sounds like it might be worth it to spring for the 4S if I'm going for 16 GB.
And yes, excellent point about amortizing the extra price over the term of the contract makes the extra cost pretty miniscule.
posted by Salieri at 10:00 AM on October 7, 2011
I currently have a 10 MP point-and-shoot that I don't use much because I don't tend to carry it around with me. It should like the 4S should be a significant upgrade from my 3G in terms of the camera, at least.
At the moment I don't really care one way or the other for Siri. It sounds cool, but it's not a must-have feature for me.
I don't think you can get a 16 GB 4. It's 8 GB 4 $99 or 16 GB 4s for $199.
AT&T is offering a 16 GB 4 for $149.99 and a 32 GB for $199.99. Only a $50 price difference, but it sounds like it might be worth it to spring for the 4S if I'm going for 16 GB.
And yes, excellent point about amortizing the extra price over the term of the contract makes the extra cost pretty miniscule.
posted by Salieri at 10:00 AM on October 7, 2011
If you take a look at it from a "what are these different phones actually worth?" you can look at ebay. iPhone 4's are selling for around $450-550. iPhone 4s's are selling for between $650 and 750. So you'd basically be paying $100 for $200 of value. Which seems like a good deal to me.
(Obviously the features for the new phone are relevant, too. I'd go with the 4s, personally.)
posted by visual mechanic at 10:04 AM on October 7, 2011
(Obviously the features for the new phone are relevant, too. I'd go with the 4s, personally.)
posted by visual mechanic at 10:04 AM on October 7, 2011
The iPhone 4 is pretty awesome, and will be a great upgrade. It is much faster than the 3g, and the screen quality is better. Since you had the patience to keep your 3g as long as you have, then I see no downside to just getting the 4. The only consideration I would have is whether they fixed the antenna issue in the 4.
Unless, you have any particular need for the 4s upgrades - camera and processor speed - then consider the 4.
posted by jabberjaw at 10:12 AM on October 7, 2011
Unless, you have any particular need for the 4s upgrades - camera and processor speed - then consider the 4.
posted by jabberjaw at 10:12 AM on October 7, 2011
Noone knows what the 4S is actually like. As an example, the new camera might be a massive downgrade (the jump to 8 megapixels for a puny sensor is not encouraging - optics has its limits ). Wait for other people to be your 'beta testers'...
posted by Yowser at 10:15 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by Yowser at 10:15 AM on October 7, 2011
Oh, and don't forget, the iPhone 4S IS the iPhone 5. Don't let Marketing sucker you.
posted by Yowser at 10:18 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by Yowser at 10:18 AM on October 7, 2011
Yeah, there almost certainly won't be any "iPhone 5". There may be an iPhone *6* next year but not a 5 (just as there wasn't any iPhone 2 or 3).
The 4S will be worth the extra $50 over a 16gb iPhone 4, guaranteed.
posted by The Lamplighter at 11:09 AM on October 7, 2011
The 4S will be worth the extra $50 over a 16gb iPhone 4, guaranteed.
posted by The Lamplighter at 11:09 AM on October 7, 2011
Response by poster: Sorry, a follow-up question if anyone is still reading. Any thoughts on AT&T's data plans? I've had the $30/month unlimited plan for forever, and given that I've never used above 170 MB a month in the last year, it makes sense to downgrade (especially since they're getting rid of their cheap $5/month texting and I'm going to have to go to $20 for unlimited texting.)
Given how small my monthly usage, it seems a no-brainer to downgrade to either the 200 MB or 2 GB plan. And yet, there's still that little part of my brain that's saying I'll regret it - once I switch, I can't switch back. Anything new in particular with the 4S that would make me want to keep that unlimited plan?
posted by Salieri at 11:19 AM on October 7, 2011
Given how small my monthly usage, it seems a no-brainer to downgrade to either the 200 MB or 2 GB plan. And yet, there's still that little part of my brain that's saying I'll regret it - once I switch, I can't switch back. Anything new in particular with the 4S that would make me want to keep that unlimited plan?
posted by Salieri at 11:19 AM on October 7, 2011
Your usage of the phone's data plan may change once you get the 4S.
This is not a good comparison, but I had a Blackberry Curve before I got my iPhone 4. I use a whole magnitude more data than I did before, because of the increased functionality of the iPhone 4. Most of it is media-related though (i.e. streaming movies, music and games) which I had previously done on my laptop, so it was just displaced to my phone. There are things that I had not previously considered doing on my Curve because it just wasn't very good at that stuff.
The 3G is pretty good at that stuff, though. Not as good as the 4, though, and likely even less than the 4S.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:29 AM on October 7, 2011
This is not a good comparison, but I had a Blackberry Curve before I got my iPhone 4. I use a whole magnitude more data than I did before, because of the increased functionality of the iPhone 4. Most of it is media-related though (i.e. streaming movies, music and games) which I had previously done on my laptop, so it was just displaced to my phone. There are things that I had not previously considered doing on my Curve because it just wasn't very good at that stuff.
The 3G is pretty good at that stuff, though. Not as good as the 4, though, and likely even less than the 4S.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:29 AM on October 7, 2011
To piggyback: Will the 4S come preloaded with iOS5 & iCloud?
posted by mattbucher at 11:33 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by mattbucher at 11:33 AM on October 7, 2011
I would keep your unlimited data plan, particularly with the cloud based features of iOS 5. And the 4S for the extended feature life you will get when the next phone comes out.
posted by shinynewnick at 11:34 AM on October 7, 2011
posted by shinynewnick at 11:34 AM on October 7, 2011
Best answer: I don't know about plans, but one further comment about the 4S over the 4. the 4S has a much faster processor than the 4, and while that won't make much difference right away, other than the 4S feeling a little snappier, in time all app developers will design assuming the faster processor. And so the 4 will become obsolete much sooner. This is already beginning to happen with the iPad -- a game, Machinarium, was released that only plays on the faster iPad processor. Over time, that will become commonplace.
Also, the 4S is an international phone with both CDMA and GSM. That means that, at least theoretically, you could at some time decide to leave ATT for Verizion without needing to get a new phone. That's worth something.
posted by rtimmel at 11:38 AM on October 7, 2011
Also, the 4S is an international phone with both CDMA and GSM. That means that, at least theoretically, you could at some time decide to leave ATT for Verizion without needing to get a new phone. That's worth something.
posted by rtimmel at 11:38 AM on October 7, 2011
Actually i thought they were grandfathering in all old plans. You should double check on that - that may be worthwhile in the long run, especially considering the difference between the $5 texting and $20 texting.
Also to mattbucher, the 4S should probably come preloaded with iOS5/iCloud, or be forced to set up both of those on activation.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:45 AM on October 7, 2011
Also to mattbucher, the 4S should probably come preloaded with iOS5/iCloud, or be forced to set up both of those on activation.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:45 AM on October 7, 2011
Response by poster: Oh yeah, the cloud features. See, this is why MeFi is awesome.
Actually i thought they were grandfathering in all old plans.
I was grandfathered in on my 3G - and I can still choose the unlimited data plan for the 4S - but it looks like the only texting option they're giving me for the 4 or 4S is the $20/month unlimited one.
Probably best to keep the unlimited for now - I can always choose to downgrade later if I get the 4S and decide I don't need that much.
posted by Salieri at 11:58 AM on October 7, 2011
Actually i thought they were grandfathering in all old plans.
I was grandfathered in on my 3G - and I can still choose the unlimited data plan for the 4S - but it looks like the only texting option they're giving me for the 4 or 4S is the $20/month unlimited one.
Probably best to keep the unlimited for now - I can always choose to downgrade later if I get the 4S and decide I don't need that much.
posted by Salieri at 11:58 AM on October 7, 2011
If you're mostly in wifi areas, go for the 200MB plan. It's what I have and it's more than enough for light browsing while away from wifi.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:38 PM on October 7, 2011
posted by IndigoRain at 6:38 PM on October 7, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the input, everyone. When I posted this I was thinking about upgrading to the 4, but after reading the responses and doing some more research I'm getting the 16 GB 4S. I can't wait to play with my new toy!
posted by Salieri at 8:13 AM on October 8, 2011
posted by Salieri at 8:13 AM on October 8, 2011
Best answer: Late to the thread but wanted to add this article for future reference, which helped me make the decision: Buy iPhone 4S or wait for iPhone 5?
(I had 3GS, have pre-ordered 4S. I'm excited too!)
posted by pineapple at 10:56 AM on October 8, 2011
(I had 3GS, have pre-ordered 4S. I'm excited too!)
posted by pineapple at 10:56 AM on October 8, 2011
iPhone 4s ships with iOS 5 and iCloud. Setup is free and trivial.
It's already been answered, but just to reiterate really:
If you are looking at buying an iPhone, unless you are really trying to save money, I'd suggest grabbing the lastest generation from Apple always. Apple supports the devices (in terms of software updates, feature additions) for two additional generations (3gs has replaced the 3g as the bottom tier device, 3g has been phased out, etc).
Considering Apple appears to keep following this model, the iPhone 4s will continue to be supported through the 5, 5s, and might be dropped around the time of the iPhone 6's announcement, or really 2 and a half years of the device lifespan.
The other way to think about it is this: in two years, an iPhone 4s would still be perfectly useable while a 4 would really be showing it's age (the model would be over three years old). At that time your contract with AT&T will be up, and you will have an opportunity to switch to a different carrier who may have a better service option then or lower cost plans, when you decide to go purchase an iPhone 6.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:50 PM on October 8, 2011
It's already been answered, but just to reiterate really:
If you are looking at buying an iPhone, unless you are really trying to save money, I'd suggest grabbing the lastest generation from Apple always. Apple supports the devices (in terms of software updates, feature additions) for two additional generations (3gs has replaced the 3g as the bottom tier device, 3g has been phased out, etc).
Considering Apple appears to keep following this model, the iPhone 4s will continue to be supported through the 5, 5s, and might be dropped around the time of the iPhone 6's announcement, or really 2 and a half years of the device lifespan.
The other way to think about it is this: in two years, an iPhone 4s would still be perfectly useable while a 4 would really be showing it's age (the model would be over three years old). At that time your contract with AT&T will be up, and you will have an opportunity to switch to a different carrier who may have a better service option then or lower cost plans, when you decide to go purchase an iPhone 6.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:50 PM on October 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:28 AM on October 7, 2011