Can you use iPhone without a data plan? Best value used iPhone ?

[GoodEnough]

^^ Did it occur to you that the friend has no clue about technology, and doesn't even know what a SIM card is, or a data plan, or where to buy a used phone, or that iPhones even come in different models?

So, iPhone 4 can work on the legacy non-data plan?
Can the iPhone 4S work, or just the iPhone 4 ?
But is the iPhone 4/4S too slow and crappy to be useful?
At $50, and some kind of factory reset, friend may be very willing to give it a shot.

 

[sweenish]

^^ Did it occur to you that the friend has no clue about technology, and doesn't even know what a SIM card is, or a data plan, or where to buy a used phone, or that iPhones even come in different models?

So, iPhone 4 can work on the legacy non-data plan?
Can the iPhone 4S work, or just the iPhone 4 ?
But is the iPhone 4/4S too slow and crappy to be useful?
At $50, and some kind of factory reset, friend may be very willing to give it a shot.

Quote who you're replying to.

Who are you replying to? If me, this topic reeks of you forcing something on a person that may not necessarily want it. If they're happy paying $12 a month with a flip phone, leave them be.

 

[Artdeco]

iPad mini used?

Can iMessage, FaceTime

 

[Rakehellion]

^^ Did it occur to you that the friend has no clue about technology, and doesn't even know what a SIM card is, or a data plan, or where to buy a used phone, or that iPhones even come in different models?

So, iPhone 4 can work on the legacy non-data plan?
Can the iPhone 4S work, or just the iPhone 4 ?
But is the iPhone 4/4S too slow and crappy to be useful?
At $50, and some kind of factory reset, friend may be very willing to give it a shot.

Definitely get the 4S or you won't even be able to run the latest OS.

Any unlocked phone will work with a prepaid plan.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Quote who you're replying to.

Who are you replying to? If me, this topic reeks of you forcing something on a person that may not necessarily want it. If they're happy paying $12 a month with a flip phone, leave them be.

Or to take it a step further, if you are going to be the nerd authority and push them into a smartphone I would be quick to let them know that 80% of the benefit is internet everywhere so a smartphone is incredibly neutered without a data plan. There is a reason most of American society has accepted a larger wireless bill since the iPhone launched, that is what a smartphone needs for optimal use. An ancient iPhone on a flip phone plan isn't a long-term solution, it's merely the taste they need to inspire them to pony up more to realize the real benefits of smartphones. Or not.

 

[GoodEnough]

80% of the use of a smartphone is at home and at work, both places with wifi. They would gladly pay $100 just to be able to use Facetime at home to speak to relatives, without any cell capability. If the 4S can be activated without a SIM, then I will suggest the person look for a used 4S for $90 off Swappa. The friend had no idea this was even a possibility, and was very very interested in finding out more.

One last time, the iPhone 4S can be used as a cell phone without a data plan, right?

 

[poofyhairguy]

They would gladly pay $100 just to be able to use Facetime at home to speak to relatives, without any cell capability.

A lot of people agree. We call those devices they buy tablets, and they would give a much better experience for pure WiFi use:


https://swappa.com/buy/apple-ipad-mini-wifi/us



If you put a smartphone on a postpaid(not prepaid) non smartphone Verizon plan there is a chance they will upgrade the account for you to a smartphone plan that costs more. It happened to a friend of mine (a long time ago I will admit but I don't see why Big Red would be nicer about something today).

 

[GoodEnough]

What part of cell capability did you not understand?

 

[sweenish]

They understood it fine. Which is why a WiFi tablet was suggested.

So again, maybe not insert yourself and literally meddle with someone's phone plan since it sounds like they weren't asking you in the first place.

 

[GoodEnough]

Sounds like you don't understand the requirements either. The discussion is: Can the iPhone 4S be used as a cell phone without using the data plan on Verizon?

 

[Artdeco]

Sounds like you don't understand the requirements either. The discussion is: Can the iPhone 4S be used as a cell phone without using the data plan on Verizon?

Ask Verizon?

 

[sweenish]

The real requirement is, does this person actually want it? If all they're going to do is use data on WiFi, get them the better device that's suited for the task. A WiFi tablet.

It seems a bit awful that you're literally forcing them to a gimped smartphone experience when a used iPad mini suits the requirements better, and even worse when it appears that they didn't ask you anyway.

 

[Artdeco]

Is this their only phone?