Iphone cost > Ipad + Ipod Touch + Mifi + Skype cost over 2 years

[cakbar]

Currently I'm an iPod Touch and generic cell phone user. My original plan was to trade my touch and cell phone for an iPhone in August when my contract expires. I've always been reluctant to pay the approx $80/mth for an iPhone when I rarely use the phone. I started to crunch some numbers and figured out that over a 2 year contract, the cost of an iPhone is greater than the cost of an iPad + iPod Touch + Mifi + Skype. If you compare the resale value of the Touch and the iPad versus the iPhone after 2 years, the savings are even greater. Additional benefits also include the ability to use a laptop with the mifi, the ability to use the mifi for backup home internet etc... Not to mention the fact that I also have an iPad to use.

iPhone Cost
$300 (32GB purchase price)
$1920 (80 x 24 monthly fees)
-$100 (est resale value after 2 years)
$2120 (Total)

iPad etc... Cost
$500 (iPad purchase-non 3G model)
$300 (new iPod Touch 32GB purchase)
$50 (mifi cost with 2 year contract)
$960 (mifi 40 x 24 monthly fees)
$240 (Skype est monthly fee 10 x 24)
-$400 (est resale 300iPad 100Touch)
$1650 (Total)

I assumed that based on my use, I'd be able to get away with the $40/mth 250mb Mifi plan, however even if I needed the $60/mth 5gb plan, cost wise it would be a pretty much the same overall as the iPhone (extra $20/mth x 24).

Anyone else thinking of taking this route?

 

[leomac08]

i am like you, I wanted an iphone

but umma buy a

-16GB 3G iPad -$630 + $40 of accessories + protection plan= $720-$750

Plus $30 a month of wireless 3G from at&t

put some skype.

That comes out very cheap for an unlocked device.

 

[lordhamster]

Currently I'm an iPod Touch and generic cell phone user. My original plan was to trade my touch and cell phone for an iPhone in August when my contract expires. I've always been reluctant to pay the approx $80/mth for an iPhone when I rarely use the phone. I started to crunch some numbers and figured out that over a 2 year contract, the cost of an iPhone is greater than the cost of an iPad + iPod Touch + Mifi + Skype. If you compare the resale value of the Touch and the iPad versus the iPhone after 2 years, the savings are even greater. Additional benefits also include the ability to use a laptop with the mifi, the ability to use the mifi for backup home internet etc... Not to mention the fact that I also have an iPad to use.

iPhone Cost
$300 (32GB purchase price)
$1920 (80 x 24 monthly fees)
-$100 (est resale value after 2 years)
$2120 (Total)

iPad etc... Cost
$500 (iPad purchase-non 3G model)
$300 (new iPod Touch 32GB purchase)
$50 (mifi cost with 2 year contract)
$960 (mifi 40 x 24 monthly fees)
$240 (Skype est monthly fee 10 x 24)
-$400 (est resale 300iPad 100Touch)
$1650 (Total)

I assumed that based on my use, I'd be able to get away with the $40/mth 250mb Mifi plan, however even if I needed the $60/mth 5gb plan, cost wise it would be a pretty much the same overall as the iPhone (extra $20/mth x 24).

Anyone else thinking of taking this route?

You are neglecting the cost of a cell phone plan for your cheapo phone. Or are you planning on getting rid of that? Keep in mind that unless you keep Skype running 24/7 you will not get incoming calls via skype. Also, whats the point of having an iPad AND an iTouch? I'd just get the iPad and save some cash there.

 

[Abyssgh0st]

Your numbers are off. Why would you even spend $300 on a new iPod Touch? Plus you'd make more than $100 on the iPhone after 2 years. Decent 2G iPhones still sell for $175-250, depending on size.


IMO, the pain in the ass factor of having to carry around two minimum (MiFi and iPod), and connecting to WiFi and it is not worth ~$500.

 

[cakbar]

You are neglecting the cost of a cell phone plan for your cheapo phone. Or are you planning on getting rid of that? Keep in mind that unless you keep Skype running 24/7 you will not get incoming calls via skype. Also, whats the point of having an iPad AND an iTouch? I'd just get the iPad and save some cash there.

I would be getting rid of my cell phone. As I said, I rarely use it and incoming calls aren't of importance, as long as I can have voicemail via Skype. I carry my Touch with me everywhere so would always be able to check in for voicemail. As far as having both a Touch and an iPad, I use my touch for music all the time on the go, at the gym etc...I couldn't replace this with the iPad. The iPad would be used mostly at home, but also when out for a coffee, on vacation etc... In my case the iPad would be a luxury, but would be a more affordable luxury since I could get the cheapest model and not have to pay any monthly data fees, since I could use the Mifi with it when out.

 

[cakbar]

Your numbers are off. Why would you even spend $300 on a new iPod Touch? Plus you'd make more than $100 on the iPhone after 2 years. Decent 2G iPhones still sell for $175-250, depending on size.


IMO, the pain in the ass factor of having to carry around two minimum (MiFi and iPod), and connecting to WiFi and it is not worth ~$500.

I'm comparing apples to apples (pardon the pun) with the 32Gb versions of the iPhone and the Touch. I would need a new touch since my current one is a 1st Gen, without the ability to use Skype. I could spend less on the Touch, but for comparisons sake I used the full retail of the 32GB model. As far as the resale value of the iPhone, you may be correct, but in that case, the resale value of the Touch would then also be adjusted by the same amount. The Mifi is a pretty small device that would be barely noticeable carrying around in my back pocket. Also, it may not be worth $500 savings, but on top of the $500 savings, you also get the iPad.

 

[anthonymoody]

? Keep in mind that unless you keep Skype running 24/7 you will not get incoming calls via skype.

That. Until we multi-task, that's a problem.

 

[NotTempted]

I am just about doing the same thing here. (reevaluating my circumstances) I mean if all the apps that currently run on the Iphone will run on the Ipad then I see no reason to add another 30 dollars a month to my ATT bill. All I really need is to get email and view pdfs. I think I will be moving on. I mean I have even been looking at selling my Macbook (which stays in the house with the hdtv most of the time anyway due to its value/cost to me) and buying a Mac Mini and an Ipad with the proceeds (if I can get that much). I am not going to pick apart your numbers looking for inaccuracies and or ways to flame you here that would be disrespectful. I was in your same situation in that I had I had an Ipod Touch and the Iphone came out. I sold the touch and bought an Iphone and have been paying the premium for ownership every month since. I see a break on the horizon as my contract is coming to an end and consumers here start viewing things like producers.

 

[lordhamster]

I've actually been thinking about getting rid of the iPhone and just getting an iPad 3G. Then using my old unlocked blueberry with some el cheapo AT&T or Tmobile voice plan.

 

[dave1812dave]

Currently I'm an iPod Touch and generic cell phone user. My original plan was to trade my touch and cell phone for an iPhone in August when my contract expires. I've always been reluctant to pay the approx $80/mth for an iPhone when I rarely use the phone. I started to crunch some numbers and figured out that over a 2 year contract, the cost of an iPhone is greater than the cost of an iPad + iPod Touch + Mifi + Skype. If you compare the resale value of the Touch and the iPad versus the iPhone after 2 years, the savings are even greater. Additional benefits also include the ability to use a laptop with the mifi, the ability to use the mifi for backup home internet etc... Not to mention the fact that I also have an iPad to use.

iPhone Cost
$300 (32GB purchase price)
$1920 (80 x 24 monthly fees)
-$100 (est resale value after 2 years)
$2120 (Total)

iPad etc... Cost
$500 (iPad purchase-non 3G model)
$300 (new iPod Touch 32GB purchase)
$50 (mifi cost with 2 year contract)
$960 (mifi 40 x 24 monthly fees)
$240 (Skype est monthly fee 10 x 24)
-$400 (est resale 300iPad 100Touch)
$1650 (Total)

I assumed that based on my use, I'd be able to get away with the $40/mth 250mb Mifi plan, however even if I needed the $60/mth 5gb plan, cost wise it would be a pretty much the same overall as the iPhone (extra $20/mth x 24).

Anyone else thinking of taking this route?

I have a mifi, but have the $60/mo plan because for $40 that you quoted, they give you a paltry 250MB limit. For $60, that jumps up to 5GB. I wouldn't use the $40 plan in a comparison to other alternatives, due to the VERY limited data limit.

 

[EssentialParado]

I would suggest the option of keeping your cheap cellphone and just getting a 3G iPad.

I currently use a cheap cellphone on a pay as you go plan in the UK, where I just top up my funds £10 every couple of months or so. I can just keep that for calls and text messaging and then have a 3G iPad as a purely internet device.

Sure, it would be carrying two devices, but even with the MiFi option you have to do that.