Is it stupid to buy an AT&T iPhone 4 at this time?

[decrescendo]

Everything I read seems to be pointing to a fall launch for the iPhone 5. However, I'm still using an iPhone 3G from November 2008. The screen is beginning to act a little screwy and, with the numerous iOS updates since 2008, the phone has become VERY laggy. It's mostly unusable anymore and it's very frustrating.

If I were to stay with AT&T, would it be dumb to buy an iPhone 4 right now? Has the price been of the iPhone 4 been discounted recently or is it expected to drastically decrease in the near future?

I want to say the cheapest iPhone 4 is $200. That's $200 for year-old technology.

What do you guys think? I've been holding out and dealing with this phone for months and months so I'm not sure if I can hold out any longer. It's so frustrating.

 

[darkewaffle]

Anytime is a stupid time to buy an iPhone :awe:

200$ seems steep for an old phone that in all likelihood you will just dump in a matter of months for the next big thing. Live with it or get a cheap dumbphone stopgap probably.

 

[decrescendo]

Anytime is a stupid time to buy an iPhone :awe:

200$ seems steep for an old phone that in all likelihood you will just dump in a matter of months for the next big thing. Live with it or get a cheap dumbphone stopgap probably.

haha well the "which Android phone should I get" question will be a separate thread. I'm familar with iOS so I wanted to start with that question.

EDIT: and I probably wouldn't dump it with the new one came out. I wouldn't HAVE to be an early adopter (I mean I've made it this long with a 3G) unless it's WAY better.

 

[alent1234]

buying last year's iphone in the summertime at full retail price is the smartest decision evar

 

[decrescendo]

buying last year's iphone in the summertime at full retail price is the smartest decision evar

Well do you foresee them dropping the price anytime soon? I'm not sure how they did it in years past.

 

[Ns1]

Well do you foresee them dropping the price anytime soon? I'm not sure how they did it in years past.

In 3-4 months when 4gs comes out...

 

[decrescendo]

In 3-4 months when 4gs comes out...

I should just go with Galaxy S II then....

 

[randomlinh]

you'll know for sure after today's keynote. or hopefully you will.

 

[preslove]

Usually, the new iPhone comes out in June/July. The japanese earthquake/tsunami apparently damaged some some of Apple's OEM's, which is likely to delay the new one. If you want an iPhone now, buy it.

 

[akugami]

Wait for after WWDC today. Either a new iPhone will be announced or it likely won't be for a few more months. September is the rumored release of the iPhone 5.

 

[s44]

I should just go with Galaxy S II then....

Well, yes.

 

[Red Storm]

Anytime is a stupid time to buy an iPhone :awe

Not true.

I've heard the next iPhone was supposed to come out in September, but those were rumors like all the others.

iPhone 4s go for about $400 and up on Craigslist from what I've seen. It's a good phone, don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Nice build, impressive battery life, good screen, and a hefty selection of apps that might work out better for you if you've already bought things from the Apple Appstore.

However, the next one will definitely be released sooner rather than later, so if you can wait, it will be worth it. But, even if you settle on the iPhone 4, you'll still be happy (especially if you're coming from a 3G).

 

[Oyeve]

Usually, the new iPhone comes out in June/July. The japanese earthquake/tsunami apparently damaged some some of Apple's OEM's, which is likely to delay the new one. If you want an iPhone now, buy it.

I thought all apple stuff was made at foxconn in taiwan?

 

[xanis]

I'm in the same boat as you, OP. I'm waiting for the word on the official release date/feature set for the next iPhone refresh to make my decision. Although, the Samsung Galaxy S II is looking REALLY good at the moment...

 

[alent1234]

Well do you foresee them dropping the price anytime soon? I'm not sure how they did it in years past.

when a new iphone is announced last year's model gets bumped to 8GB and sells for $50

not sure this year but supposedly wal mart just put the iphone 4 16GB on sale for $150

 

[Ns1]

I should just go with Galaxy S II then....

Well I'm going to buy whatever comes first, SGS2 or iPhone4gs.

 

[pm]

One nice thing about iPhones is that they tend to hold their value pretty well. The iPhone 4 that I bought a couple of months ago for $200 is still selling for $450 on Ebay. This always makes the decision a little easier.

Even when the new ones come out, the old ones are still worth more than you'd think they'd be worth. I sold my 18-month old iPhone 3GS for $320 about 6 weeks ago.

The situation never makes complete sense to me - I've never understood why Apple products seem to hold their value so well on Ebay - but regardless of whether it makes sense, it's been a reality for years now.

 

[mvbighead]

One nice thing about iPhones is that they tend to hold their value pretty well. The iPhone 4 that I bought a couple of months ago for $200 is still selling for $450 on Ebay. This always makes the decision a little easier.

Even when the new ones come out, the old ones are still worth more than you'd think they'd be worth. I sold my 18-month old iPhone 3GS for $320 about 6 weeks ago.

The situation never makes complete sense to me - I've never understood why Apple products seem to hold their value so well on Ebay - but regardless of whether it makes sense, it's been a reality for years now.

This is a solid point, IMO. Chances are, the old 4s will see a little price drop when the 5 is released, but nothing akin to the Droid type phones that usually sell around 200 or so tops.

 

[ponyo]

Smart thing to do even if you don't care about iOS is to buy the new iPhone coming out later this year and then sell it. Take that money and buy an used Android or W7 phone for cheap. You'll have money left over. Android phones get discounted quick due to heavy competition.

 

[poofyhairguy]

If I was a iPhone 3G owner the last thing I would do is buy an iPhone 4 today.

The iPhone 4GS is gonna be at least twice as powerful as the iPhone 4. That means that in the long run the iPhone 4 will end up like the iPhone 3G- later versions of iOS will technically run on the device, but run like crap compared to the more than twice as powerful subsequent version.

If you are techie enough yo post on this forum, you ar techie enough to know that buying a year old phone at full price is insane. Play the waiting game like the rest of us....

 

[kaerflog]

This is the best scenario to tie you over.

- Buy a 3GS. You can find one under $200 on CL. Then use your upgrade on the 4GS when it comes out. You can then sell your 3GS probably for $50 less than what you paid for.
- Buy a IP4. You can find one for under $400 on CL. then use your upgrade on a 4GS when it comes out. If you decide that the IP4 is perfectly good for your need, then you can sell the 4GS for easily >>$600 when it first comes out.

What ever you do, don't use your upgrade now as its a waste of money.

 

[preslove]

I thought all apple stuff was made at foxconn in taiwan?

That's where it's assembled. It has components that are sourced from all over East Asia. I'm pretty sure that it was the camera, but there may have been other components, too.

 

[boomhower]

If you can get buy with it I'd wait. The new iPhone is to close to coming out to sign a new contract on an old phone. You may want to take advantage of the situation and try Android out. Nexus One's are still solid phones and can be had for $200 with AT&T bands.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I agree with kaerflog, find a GS on craigslist (wait till the end of the month and dicker with the seller a bit, and you can get a killer deal) Sell it when the iP5 comes out, or wait a bit for the next gen iPhone after it....

 

[pm]

Yeah. I'll agree with the rest, see if you can't get a 3GS, then sell your 3G and the upgrade will likely cost you $50-75 - which you will mostly recoup when you sell the 3GS after you buy whatever you are buying next.

I personally thought the 3GS was a nice improvement over the 3G.