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Giving Up The iPhone

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TheSpaz

TheSpaz

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jun 20, 2005
7,032
1
Today, I realized that I want to return my iPhone 3GS once again for the yellow gradient on the screen as well as the bezel not being flush with the plastic. This got me thinking. I've never had a quality problem with my iPod touch. Then I got to thinking... I pay about $100 each month for this.... and for what? I get to go on the internet EVERYWHERE (woo, like I really need to be checking MacRumors that often).

So then I got to thinking... maybe I could enjoy my life a little more if I wasn't paying $100 a month for a phone and instead I could be out doing stuff more productive than worry about having to use my iPhone to justify the price per month.

I feel as if I always need to be using it to get my money's worth out of it. If it's just sitting in my pocket, I feel like I'm just throwing money away each month.

I love the iPhone features... I really do, but I'm starting to wonder if it's all worth it. After looking at the big picture... this phone seems to be slowly ruining my life. I've never worried so much over an electronic product before (especially not Apple) and I'm sure it's not good.

I miss the good ol' days of just carrying an iPod around to listen to music and watch an occasional video. It seems like back then, I used to do a lot more with my time (shoot photography, record skate videos, produce music, juggle, magic tricks, and other various fun activities). For some reason, I feel that if I take focus off the iPhone and do something else, then what the heck do I have the iPhone for?

One thing that would make me feel better about all of this is if we could actually pick our plans on the iPhone. If AT&T let us choose whether we want data and choose if we want 450 minutes. I don't even use 50 minutes in a month. Why isn't the iPhone plan customizable to *my needs* like every other phone?

... I think I've almost had it with the iPhone scene... but I don't know yet. I'd probably miss it as soon as I canceled my contract.
 
I get to go on the internet EVERYWHERE (woo, like I really need to be checking MacRumors that often).
Click to expand...
MacRumors is not the entire internet.


Return your phone Spaz, no one is going to be bothered if you do.
 
I dunno,
for me its a very useful tool that helps me with my work and keep in touch with family and friends. To that end, I think the cost if well worth it.

If its taking up too much of your time or budget then maybe not having an iPhone is in the cards for you. The thing is can you get away with using a standard cell phone w/o data capabilities. I couldn't imagine that now.
 
TheSpaz said:
I love the iPhone features... I really do, but I'm starting to wonder if it's all worth it. After looking at the big picture... this phone seems to be slowly ruining my life. I've never worried so much over an electronic product before (especially not Apple) and I'm sure it's not good.
Click to expand...

If it has gotten to this point, you need to get rid of it. It is just a phone! If it is ruining your life, I suggest you need some professional counseling.
 
jessica. said:
MacRumors is not the entire internet.


Return your phone Spaz, no one is going to be bothered if you do.
Click to expand...

I'm not worried about if people will be bothered by any decision I make. Plus for me, I don't have a lot of favorite websites. I think I visit this website to look at iPhone stuff while I'm on the iPhone more than any other site. That's the catch 22... If I didn't have an iPhone, I wouldn't be on this site nearly as much because I would no longer be a part of the iPhone crowd.

I just need a regular dumb phone and an iPod touch to fill the touchscreen gap.

ucfgrad93 said:
If it has gotten to this point, you need to get rid of it. It is just a phone! If it ruining your life, I suggest you need some professional counseling.
Click to expand...

It's not just a phone to me. I think just a phone would be something like a normal cell phone that just makes calls and does the basics... This iPhone is clearly not just a phone and it's consuming me like a drug. The only logical reason that I could come up with for acting this way is that I pay so much for these "phones". I could be paying almost NOTHING for an iPod touch and still be happy. If I had an iPod touch, I wouldn't have the internet everywhere, therefore when I'm out, I could enjoy life like a normal person instead of being so involved with a gadget. Anyone understand where I'm coming from?
 
Oh dear. It's just a phone. If you can't afford it, or feel it's thoughts are taking over your life I'd say it's best to cancel your contract and with the money you've saved perhaps go and see someone about this? Doesn't sound healthy at all. (and no, I'm not joking.)
 
Yeah, to me, the iPhone is worth the bill and I don't think about it except when I pay it, but if if you're constantly thinking of how to get your money's worth, that's a big burden.
 
I have an iPhone, I probably only use 1 hour a month (I also have a company phone).

I have Sky TV (multiroom) - Never watch it.

I have a PS3, XBox 360 - Never play them.

I have a gym subscription - Never use it. I have a gym at home.

I have a pool table in the other room - Wasted money.

I live in a large 5 bed house - on my own, the other rooms are unused.

Point is there is no point worrying about this. It's not ruining your life unless you can't afford it, but it's there when you want to use it.

P.s. I don't have the above, but you get the idea.
 
Breakdown?

Obsessive and Addictive behavior?

I can't say I'm qualified for any medical advice - but you should also, perhaps, speak to a therapist or something if a device is ruling your life. It's not healthy.
 
TheSpaz said:
It's not just a phone to me. I think just a phone would be something like a normal cell phone that just makes calls and does the basics... This iPhone is clearly not just a phone and it's consuming me like a drug.
Click to expand...

I don't know, that type of perspective doesn't sound too healthy and as I stated perhaps a typical cell phone may be better suited for you, if you seem somewhat addicted to the iPhone.
 
Life was so much simpler back in the day,...

old_phone.jpg
 
Marcus263 said:
I have an iPhone, I probably only use 1 hour a month (I also have a company phone).

I have Sky TV (multiroom) - Never watch it.

I have a PS3, XBox 360 - Never play them.

I have a gym subscription - Never use it. I have a gym at home.

I have a pool table in the other room - Wasted money.

I live in a large 5 bed house - on my own, the other rooms are unused.

Point is there is no point worrying about this. It's not ruining your life unless you can't afford it, but it's there when you want to use it.
Click to expand...

Good points... yeah... I've thought about this. For some reason, since I *am* paying $100 per month for this thing, I want to make sure I'm using it. What's the point in having something if you're not going to use it? Also, what's the point in spending $100 a month to check email a few times a day and browse iPhone specific sites? I'm obsessed and I don't know how else to end this obsessive behavior. That's all I'm saying. How do I stop it?
 
its not 100 a month..

you would end up paying close to 60-65 a month for any phone your heart desires...so its more like 35-40 a month to have iphone...
 
Noumenon said:
Life was so much simpler back in the day,...
Click to expand...

It still can be simple today. During the 4th of July celebrations this past weekend, I left my iPhone home. I didn't miss it and I'm happy I was able to unplug myself from the grid. Likewise with the computer, I didn't even turn it on during the holiday weekend.

Sometimes technology can ensnare us, and that includes me, so it was nice that I could get away from all of that and spend time outside.
 
I do agree that the iPhone is most finicky cell phone I've ever owned.

I don't like how I can't really toss it in my backpack, or let it fall out of my pocket without freaking out.

The monthly bill is lamentably large, and I don't really use everything that I'm paying for. (but that's more the telco's fault)

Lags and delays and weird bugs and quirks can make heavy duty usage a bit of a hassle. Let alone when it starts ringing and getting texts and call waiting and stuff - all the beeps and alerts and messages to dismiss before moving on can cause some stress.

So ya ... I kinda hear what Spaz is saying. I don't sweat it too much, but I have to agree that the iPhone is definitely "one more thing to worry about" in an already hectic world. I just wish it was a bit more solid - both in physical and OS terms (a smaller bill from fido would be nice too).
 
We need a name for iPhone addiction kinda like how Blackberry's is called crackberry. iPhone is supposed to be used to enhance your life, not ruin it. Either get help of throw the phone out the window.
 
so you're saying get an iLife? ;)

Sounds like you're suggesting some sort of name like iFliction, iDiction or iCanControlMyself
 
TheSpaz said:
I'm obsessed and I don't know how else to end this obsessive behavior. That's all I'm saying. How do I stop it?
Click to expand...

You need to find something relaxing to take your mind off the stupid iphone...like fishing...well you get my point. Not another device that is going to consume your attention.
 
Mjmar said:
We need a name for iPhone addiction kinda like how Blackberry's is called crackberry. iPhone is supposed to be used to enhance your life, not ruin it. Either get help of throw the phone out the window.
Click to expand...

Hello my name is Michael and I'm an iPhone user.
:p
 
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