With all the hype, prototype leaks, and press coverage, a lot of people are talking about the iPhone 4, one way or another. OWC Tim and OWC Mike H., have differing opinions on whether or not they’re getting an iPhone 4. Here’s their thoughts, and you can leave yours below.
I’m getting one.
by OWC Mike H.
For me iPhone4 is the iPhone I was waiting for. Having used the 1st Gen iPhone since Launch Day 2007, I viewed the 3G and 3GS and “incremental upgrades” to the product line.
Apple does a fabulous job at creating things you may not think or know you need until you use them. I’m sure when I come across a fabulous app the uses the gyroscope in a unique fashion, I’ll love having the capability. Things I do want: HD video recording, the gorgeous screen, form factor, and the final upgrade to the 3G network as I’ve been on EDGE 2.5G network with the 1st Gen iPhone. While my original iPhone works great, I’m going to get more capabilities out of the new one, especially in regards to video.
AT&T and Apple really dropped the ball on pre-order and launch day selling. Pre-order, server issues at AT&T killed that for most anybody trying to do so. The 20th try seemed to do the trick for most people.
On launch day Apple showed they can tremendously fail with success as the lines at Apple stores didn’t budge for hours as each customer was coddled for 20 minutes or more before leaving the store with an iPhone. Apple’s going to sell all their iPhones regardless of timeliness of service, but they really need to study McDonalds or Wal-Mart on how to do it in large quantities. Apple left money behind with their lack of capability to process customer purchases, but they’ll eventually acquire it… although customers like me are left with a bad taste, Apple’s tremendous brand will recover as their products almost speak for themselves.
I waited in line for five hours and was told they had enough iPhones for those in line. I just couldn’t justify standing in line another five hours to get it. The must have Apple product of the year for me, and many others, was the iPad, not the iPhone 4, so I can wait on this one. I’ll be getting an iPhone4 over the next 2-3 weeks, though. I’ve already seen the iPhone 4’s Retina Display in person—“phenomenal” is an understatement.
My best advice to get your hands on an iPhone4: wait it out and get one when you don’t have to wait forever or race around to get one. It’ll be a much better shopping experience while Apple deals with a successful failure of the iPhone 4 launch.
I’m not getting one.
by OWC Tim
With all the (usual) hype surrounding the new iPhone, this time the fourth version of the industry-leading smartphone, I have decided to put the brakes on. I am usually one of the first to jump to a new Apple product, as I did with the original iPhone, the iPad, and even the iPhone 3GS. And while I have never been remorseful in any of those purchases (although that $599 price tag on the original iPhone did sting when they eventually lowered the price), I have resolved myself to holding off on buying the iPhone 4—at least for a little while.
It’s not a money thing, but a needs thing. I don’t really have a need for this new iPhone. It does nothing that I need it to do that my current iPhone (a 32GB 3GS) does not do. I don’t need a front-facing camera. I don’t need a gyroscope. The brighter screen would be great, but I don’t have any issues with the current iPhone screen.
If, however, it is proven that the new iPhone gets better cell reception and does not seem to drop off AT&T’s network quite so often, then that is something that may cause me to jump ship. That, and my wife is looking forward to getting a newer iPhone as well, as she is the current user of my original iPhone.
I am curious on why you, if you plan on being one of the first to get the new iPhone, decided to make the jump so soon? Is it just the “new” factor, or is it something else? I love being one of the first people to have new technology, from video game systems to laptops, but none of those require a two-year commitment to a cell phone provider with spotty service.
Leave your comments below.
My wife and I are springing for the new iPhone because we’ve held off long enough. Both of us have “dumb” phones that are over four years old (they don’t even have cameras) and because I travel overseas all the time, FaceTime looks like it may replace iChat . . .
I got the new one because my 3G was dying (battery), it’s not practical to have to plug your phone in after an hour of casual use. I skipped the 3GS upgrade, though I was eligible for a subsidy, because I’d heard about this one and held out for the leap. So far, I love it, though I’m watching that little yellow circle to see if it disappears (it has faded over 24 hours, but is still visible in certain lights). The screen is much clearer and thus more legible. I like the design better. But it’s the speed and power that make my upgrade worthwhile – apps I bought for the 3G and gave up on because they were so sluggish now fly.
What I’ll never do again: wait 5 hours in line. I’m also watching the yellow screen issue closely; if that circle hasn’t faded completely by next week I’ll go in for an exchange. For $300 I want a decent screen.
Having just finished washing my iPhone 2 along with my laundry a few weeks ago (dried 3 days and it was a good as new, very clean, EXCEPT the wifi no longer worked), I took this as a sign that it was time to upgrade. I really love the speed, screen detail, and overall design.
I’m in the nay camp.
Don’t need FaceTime. The gyroscope would be nice for some stuff I’m working on, but there are far more phones without it than with it and I’d be better off not limiting myself to having a gyroscope. Because the iPhone 4 uses a MicroSIM card, I can’t mix and match with the iPhone 3GS. And, finally, I bought my 3GS last year so I’m not eligible for a discount.
But next summer when the iPhone 4GS comes out with the 2GHz dual-core CPU? I am so there.
I’m a full-blown tech whore. But I’m rarely an early adopter, particularly with Apple’s nasty tendency to have a few glaring issues that need to be fixed with first-out-of-the-gate products.
I have a 16gb iPhone 3G (not 3GS) that is in desperate need of upgrading. And I really need the extra space. But I didn’t pre-order an iPhone 4.
I probably would have gotten a 3GS if my wife’s phone hadn’t need stolen… we needed to use my upgrade credit to buy her replacement to avoid paying full price. So I limped along with my 3G, jealously looking at her spacious and speedy 3GS, her video capability, her much-better camera, and even her compass (very handy when coming out of the subway tunnel in NYC without being certain which way to head at first).
But when I compare the frantic rush I saw of people buying the 3G when they first came out to my leisurely purchase months later, I just can’t justify the rush. Especially if it turns out there are any hardware issues with the early batches, which there almost inevitably are.
In 3-6 months, there will be no line. I will stroll into an AT&T store, pick up my discounted iPhone 4 and stroll back out. Bugs will be fixed. It will be running iOS 4.01 (or possible 4.03)! The early complaints and issues will have been silenced. Cases will actually be available.
I really want one. And I will have one. But not right away.