[cgnahc]

I've been looking for a new or used iPhone on the web and need some help in figuring out what it will cost me.

Here is what I know (I think I know): New iPhone 3G - 8GB is about $200 ($150 refurbished.) with 2 yr plan. This plan must include $30/month data plan for the life of the phone and then a $40/month call plan.

If I were to get an iPhone 3G 8GB off ebay or something it would cost me around $500 and unlocked. Here are some questions I have:

1) Do I still have to pay the data plan through AT&T but can use Verizon for the call plan? Or can I just use the phone without any plans, which I prefer.

2)There is a bunch of unlocking software and unlocking sim type cards, and then there is the "officially unlocked by Apple" iPhones. I could walk into an Apple store and get an unlocked iPhone? Can I walk out without any activation.

3)The 3G is for third generation iPhone and it also has 3G wireless technology, right? Does the first and second generation iPhones have 3G wireless technology?

[hl0m4n]

$500 for a 3g 8gb is a rip, you can score one at $300-350 with the 16gb going $400-$500. you can unlock the phone yourself, very easy and self auto if you follow instructions.

1. if you buy the iphone on ebay there is no contract. you either are an att customer and insert your SIM in the phone or you unlock it and insert t-mobile SIM. you can't use verizon on iphone, they use different networks.

2. no, the apple unlocked iphone only sell in china, italy, and some others and they sell on ebay for $600+, no need when there is a free unlock out there.

3. yes 3g=3g network. no the 2g iphone does not only has the standard quad band.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by cgnahc

1) Do I still have to pay the data plan through AT&T but can use Verizon for the call plan? Or can I just the phone without any plans, which I prefer.

No. When the phone is unlocked you pay for service on whatever carrier you use. As was already mentioned, the iPhone won't work on Verizon. Most people use unlocked ones on T-Mobile

2)There is a bunch of unlocking software and unlocking sim type cards, and then there is the "officially unlocked by Apple" iPhones. I could walk into an Apple store and get an unlocked iPhone? Can I walk out without any activation.

No you cannot. They don't sell unlocked iPhones in the US.

3)The 3G is for third generation iPhone and it also has 3G wireless technology, right? Does the first and second generation iPhones have 3G wireless technology?

3G stands for the 3rd generation cellular networks, the 3G iPhone is actually the second iPhone model. The 2G was the first.

Hope that helps.

[Tim2189]

just go the painless way and switch to att (if u havent) and get the iphone...iphone wont work for verizon and if you unlock the phone to use for tmobile then there is no warranty on the phone, which trust me you WILL want...Ive gotten my 3G in nov and this is my 3rd one because of all the bugs that the phone has.

att+iphone= FTW
unlocked iphone+no warranty=FTL

[cgnahc]

I really don't know where to get an iPhone inexpensively. I'm interested in the very basic model and worldwide use capability when unlocked. Maybe the 2G 4GB or 8GB unlocked that I know everything works correctly is something I want. Around $250 for this (2G 8GB) reasonable?

Another question:

4)The unlocking of the iPhone is limited to just a couple new networks? (so no Verizon). I travel worldwide mainly to China/Asia, and will want iPhone to work over there with their GSM i.e: putting in a local sim card. I believe the 2G quad band (fully) unlocked will flip the bill, correct? Is there different levels of "unlock"? or once seller say it is unlocked, then it means I can use any SIM card and the phone will work?

Thanks for clearing up the 2G (1st generation, quad band(?)) and the 3G latest version. I just want the darn thing to work in China when I stick a SIM card in from China. I did notice various unusual problems with the 3G iPhones, such as on-off switch, camera, etc. Glass breaks or cracks if not treated well.

[hl0m4n]

ebay dude search iphone 3g black 8gb or 16gb, buy it now, highest price to lowest, and keep going down the pages until you find a good one.

an unlocked iphone can be used with any sim on this list here: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

$250 for 2g 8gb is reasonable.

no unlocked iphone is like i said whatever is on the list above. no different levels of unlock, unlock is unlocked.

if you look on the link china is not 3g so no need for 3g phone. 3g countries include south korea, japan, and a a few others.

also you went through 3 iphone 3gs man? you take care of them? you must be in the minority of iphone problems my 2g lasted me forever and my unlocked 3g is doing just as good.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

also you went through 3 iphone 3gs man? you take care of them? you must be in the minority of iphone problems my 2g lasted me forever and my unlocked 3g is doing just as good.

+1

My 3G that I got for Christmas has been flawless. The battery has been amazing as well. Each full charge has lasted from a low of just under two days to a max of 3. The current charge I'm on was fully charged Friday night at 11pm and has been going strong since. I haven't even gotten the 20% capacity remaining warning yet.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by Seminole

+1

My 3G that I got for Christmas has been flawless. The battery has been amazing as well. Each full charge has lasted from a low of just under two days to a max of 3. The current charge I'm on was fully charged Friday night at 11pm and has been going strong since. I haven't even gotten the 20% capacity remaining warning yet.

If I'm on call overnight, I would have to charge it at night. Otherwise, it lasts about 2 days. I have had mine since August and it has been flawless since day 1.

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

ebay dude search iphone 3g black 8gb or 16gb, buy it now, highest price to lowest, and keep going down the pages until you find a good one.

an unlocked iphone can be used with any sim on this list here: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

$250 for 2g 8gb is reasonable.

no unlocked iphone is like i said whatever is on the list above. no different levels of unlock, unlock is unlocked.

if you look on the link china is not 3g so no need for 3g phone. 3g countries include south korea, japan, and a a few others.

also you went through 3 iphone 3gs man? you take care of them? you must be in the minority of iphone problems my 2g lasted me forever and my unlocked 3g is doing just as good.

If you ever travel to Hong Kong, get the 3G unlocked, it would be much faster than the 2G on data network.

[Houman21]

If I was you, I would wait to buy an iPhone - a refresh is guaranteed in the next few months. You'll be able to get better deals on used phones then as well.

[cgnahc]

OK quad band, I hope handles GSM 900 and 1800 in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Quadband = 2G iPhone (unlocked). I see 3G technology exclusively used in Japan. They are much farther ahead in the consumer tech arena.

Now I understand that the newer 3G iPhone also uses the 3G GSM technology. I assume the 3G iPhone will also work in countries with only GSM 800/1800 technology? If so, then I could also look for 3G iPhones (unlocked) to purchase.

I have not owned an iPhone yet, but will soon.

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

ebay dude search iphone 3g black 8gb or 16gb, buy it now, highest price to lowest, and keep going down the pages until you find a good one.

an unlocked iphone can be used with any sim on this list here: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

$250 for 2g 8gb is reasonable.

no unlocked iphone is like i said whatever is on the list above. no different levels of unlock, unlock is unlocked.

if you look on the link china is not 3g so no need for 3g phone. 3g countries include south korea, japan, and a a few others.

also you went through 3 iphone 3gs man? you take care of them? you must be in the minority of iphone problems my 2g lasted me forever and my unlocked 3g is doing just as good.

[cgnahc]

Really, another generation of iPhones coming out??

Originally Posted by Houman21

If I was you, I would wait to buy an iPhone - a refresh is guaranteed in the next few months. You'll be able to get better deals on used phones then as well.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by cgnahc

OK quad band, I hope handles GSM 900 and 1800 in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Quadband = 2G iPhone (unlocked). I see 3G technology exclusively used in Japan. They are much farther ahead in the consumer tech arena.

Now I understand that the newer 3G iPhone also uses the 3G GSM technology. I assume the 3G iPhone will also work in countries with only GSM 800/1800 technology? If so, then I could also look for 3G iPhones (unlocked) to purchase.

I have not owned an iPhone yet, but will soon.

Quad band = GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 850 and 1900 are used mostly in North America, 900 / 1800 are used in Asia and Europe. So, if you have a quad band phone, it would work in both the US and China.

It's not true that only Japan has 3G. Hong Kong, Korea, and parts of mainland China also have 3G network. However, it's true that NTT was the first to launch 3G in the world with its FOMA network and were years ahead of other 3G networks. Also, they have the best mobile website content in any part of the world with its iMode service, which started to pop up in Europe as well.

iPhone 3G is pentaband = 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / WCDMA (aka 3G)

[Houman21]

Originally Posted by cgnahc

Really, another generation of iPhones coming out??

You can definitely count on it. Don't forget that the original iPhone is almost 2 years old (just a few months shy) aside from a slight body modification and an upgraded 3g chip and GPS added, the processor stayed the same. With S. Jobs taking a leave of absence it is almost certain that Apple will deliver an upgrade before his return to ensure stockholder confidence in Tim Cook as the
head of the company. Just my .02 cents.

I've been investing in Apple since I was 19 and that was 10 years ago, I've gone to WWDC for the last 8 years. Played with os x when it was just a developer preview and developed WebObjects application since Yellowbox (this was pre-osx, basically NeXT's openstep OS configured to run on PowerPC platform)

Be patient - if you haven't purchased one yet, then just wait.

[bsamoul]

PM me if you have any other questions. I work for apple. seems like things are covered here..

[Houman21]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

PM me if you have any other questions. I work for apple. seems like things are covered here..

There you go cgnahc, can't ask for much more than that!

[BMWE90]

I'm thinking about getting an iphone as well but if a new version is coming out it might be worth it to wait.

[Dwn2earth610]

i recommend blackberry... i had an iphone and i prefer my new curve much more

[cgnahc]

Funny, I just bought an item from someone here that also works at Apple, Inc.
What else can I ask?? how about get me one with an employee discount??

Originally Posted by Houman21

There you go cgnahc, can't ask for much more than that!