What Would You Do?

[Kaitlyn]

I need some help from this community! :P

I'm having trouble deciding on upgrading from 3G to 3Gs... it's not really a big upgrade, its costly and a big concern of mine is next years model and what I might get forced to pay for it...

On the other hand, I thought it would be $550 but two reps told me there is some promotion on my account and I can get the 32GB for $399 (16gb for $299). Still a lot, but when you take $399 + tax - sale of 3G, price isn't TOO bad! I've seen first hand the speed increase in comparisons and it is quite nice. The better camera + VGA video recording is nice...

But it's just another cost, and I'm more interested in the upgrades of next year.

What do you guys think? Keep my 3G and wait it out, or upgrade for $399 - sale of iPhone 3G (and probably still upgrade next year, haha)????

[Sprite09]

ASk yourself: Do I really need the upgrade phone? Can I use the money for something more important and necessary? Can you make a short list of why you need this phone? This will help you decide if it a vanity purchase or a necessary purchase.

[Kaitlyn]

ASk yourself: Do I really need the upgrade phone? Can I use the money for something more important and necessary? Can you make a short list of why you need this phone? This will help you decide if it a vanity purchase or a necessary purchase.

Oh, it's 100% vanity. Lots of things it could be better spent on... but that would defeat the point of impulse purchases and loving RedFlagDeals :)

[M.D.]

Of course its not a necessary purchase to upgrade from 3G to 3GS.

If you have disposable cash to spend, then go for it. I'm sure there's more than enough from that awesome job @ RFD :D

[winner2000]

Gosh, how much does this Admin job at RFD pay you?! :cheesygri

[45ED]

If you were going to get the 3Gs, then you'd just end up with more phones than you really need (re:two instead of one). If you wanted a way to offset the guilt of an impulse/vanity buy, balance it out by considering donating your cellphone to a charity of some sort. You can say, "yeah, I feel (kinda) guilty about getting a new phone, but at least someone/group will benefit from my old one."

[Sprite09]

Oh, it's 100% vanity. Lots of things it could be better spent on... but that would defeat the point of impulse purchases and loving RedFlagDeals :)

I'd skip because you never know if you'll lose your job in this bad economy. Stuck with a 3gs and no rent money. or what if your first date guy decides not to pay for your meal! oh noes.


ALso you already have a 3g, its not like you are coming from a brick phone. I vote skip it.

[Lone_Prodigy]

Fact: technology is always getting better
Fact: older technology is always getting cheaper
Fact: if you "wait for something better/cheaper", you'll wait forever
Conclusion: splurge if you want, but don't get buyer's remorse in a year when an inevitably better version comes out next year. Be happy with what you buy.

Of course, you could also be happy with what you currently have and upgrade later. :)

[nano]

don't change your iPhone just download the new firmware.. my phone is working great since i upgraded on Friday..

[brunes]

Why would you side-grade to another sub-par iPhone when you can enjoy the power of an Android phone or the sexiness of the Palm Pre?

The iPhone is so limited it is embarrassing; I had high hopes for the 3Gs but none of the major flaws have been addressed.

[sxz]

If you have doubts about upgrading, chances are you will regret the upgrade.

P.S. Belongs in Electronics forum

[DuDe1411]

if you upgrade to 3gs.. can i have your 3g?

[raps4lyfe]

you can stil sell your 3G for $450, so your old phone will pay for the new one. Plus the value of 3G next year will be a lot lower then it is right now, so if you upgrade to 3GS you can sell it for more next year and put that money towards getting the newer version

so basically the iphone holds its value really well and ends up paying for the newer version.

Having said that, Im not upgrading, why? because i have to pay $500 for the 16GB but if it would get that $299 price i would sell the 3G right away and get the 3gs

[Kaitlyn]

you can stil sell your 3G for $450, so your old phone will pay for the new one. Plus the value of 3G next year will be a lot lower then it is right now, so if you upgrade to 3GS you can sell it for more next year and put that money towards getting the newer version

so basically the iphone holds its value really well and ends up paying for the newer version.

Having said that, Im not upgrading, why? because i have to pay $500 for the 16GB but if it would get that $299 price i would sell the 3G right away and get the 3gs

Ya, the ability to sell the 3G is a huge incentive for me... I think $450 is REALLY pushing it though... despite it being in great condition

[Strategy]

Apple always releases these things with minor upgrades because they KNOW people will want to upgrade.

Do you really need a 'better' camera? A somewhat better battery? You don't have to have it. I would wait until Apple releases a newer one with some more major upgrades to it. The 3GS doesn't justify an upgrade for me.

However, it's your money and you choice.


Also, @ Brunes: what major flaws are you talking about?

[raps4lyfe]

Ya, the ability to sell the 3G is a huge incentive for me... I think $450 is REALLY pushing it though... despite it being in great condition

NO definitely not, my sister sold her 8GB for $350. Put it on Kijiji and what sort of response you get. I had a buyer ready to buy for $470, but i backed out when i learnt what i had to pay for the new one. And if you have the one with bootloader 5.08 (made before september of last year), then it can still be unlocked by downgrading the baseband.

Another thing is that now rogers has made it mandatory for you to get data with any smartphone upgrade. So people who arent looking to get data would happily pay $450 for a used, but good condition phone.

so yea $450 is a good price to sell it

[Strategy]

Gosh, how much does this Admin job at RFD pay you?! :cheesygri

They get paid for this? Where do I sign up?

[felixdd]

Fact: technology is always getting better
Fact: older technology is always getting cheaper
Fact: if you "wait for something better/cheaper", you'll wait forever
Conclusion: splurge if you want, but don't get buyer's remorse in a year when an inevitably better version comes out next year. Be happy with what you buy.

Of course, you could also be happy with what you currently have and upgrade later. :)

Not if you're disciplined and are definite in what you want.

A few years back, I wanted a phone that plays music well, has an AF camera, and for bonus a fast java engine. The K850 was out but I went for the W800i that I was eyeing for a good while. Got it for nearly half the price I would've needed to pay had I gotten it when it first came out.

So be honest to yourself. Do you need it? What are you going to use it for? How does it add onto your current function?

Of course...there's nothing with a vanity purchase either.

[brunes]

you can stil sell your 3G for $450, so your old phone will pay for the new one. Plus the value of 3G next year will be a lot lower then it is right now, so if you upgrade to 3GS you can sell it for more next year and put that money towards getting the newer version

so basically the iphone holds its value really well and ends up paying for the newer version.

Having said that, Im not upgrading, why? because i have to pay $500 for the 16GB but if it would get that $299 price i would sell the 3G right away and get the 3gs
No one is going to pay $450 for a 3G anymore, that is last week's price.

Standard price for a phone without contract is 2-3 times the contract price. Contract price on a 3G is down to $99, so your top dollar price to sell it would be $300, with them going on average for $200 or $250.

Anyone who would pay $450 for a 3G TODAY has rocks in their head, the market is going to be flooded with them in a month.

[raps4lyfe]

No one is going to pay $450 for a 3G anymore, that is last week's price.

Standard price for a phone without contract is 2-3 times the contract price. Contract price on a 3G is down to $99, so your top dollar price to sell it would be $300, with them going on average for $200 or $250.

Anyone who would pay $450 for a 3G TODAY has rocks in their head, the market is going to be flooded with them in a month.

thats the 8GB price ($99).
i can sell my 3G for $450 today if i wanted to. These things on ebay are going close to $500, so you are somewhat wrong, the prices are still high and now that rogers have made data mandatory, many will likely look to buy it used. And from what ive heard the 16GB 3G arent available anymore

[Dash]

I vaguely recall you saying that you got a crazy deal on your iphone and plan......something borderline sketchy....You can't work that angle again for the upgrade?

[brunes]

thats the 8GB price ($99).
No, the 16 GB can be had on a 3 year plan for $99.

i can sell my 3G for $450 today if i wanted to.
That's funny because when I go on eBay.com and search completed listings for iPhone 3G 16GB, I see prices like $315, $251, $330, $290. And anything priced over $350 that isn't in some kind of combo with lots of other add-ons is expiring without selling. And the prices are dropping as you look at more recent ones.

[akito925]

he just wants the newests Iphone on the block, so he can show it off on the subway! what features are you going to use on it? are you really going to use all of its features at all ?

[Kaitlyn]

he just wants the newests Iphone on the block, so he can show it off on the subway! what features are you going to use on it? are you really going to use all of its features at all ?

1) I'm not a HE, I'm a SHE
2) I'd prefer a Palm Pre but that on GSM is a little ways off
3) I don't ride the subway

:)