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Should I get an iPhone 4 or iPad?

B

bosoxnm3

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 11, 2008
52
1
I already have an iPhone 3GS and I am not upgrade eligible until April; however, I originally planned on trading in my 3gs to Radioshack for the $200 credit. I would then have to pay $200 plus the $18 upgrade fee plus probably another $50 for a case. After contemplating for awhile, I am not sure if the jump from 3GS to iPhone 4 is worth the $300.

Over the past couple of days, I've contemplated getting an iPad. I would buy the 3G model. My campus does not support mobile wireless for some bizarre reason; it won't be available until Spring '11, so keep in mind that from September through November and January through March, I am basically going to solely be using 3G for my internet connection.

My main reason for buying it is I watch a lot of things on my iphone; I watch baseball and basketball. I would also like to stream movies which is only possible on the iPad.

So, all things considered, do you think I should just forego the iPhone 4 and an iPad? How much is the fact that I am going to being using 3G a lot affect the quality? Will streaming a baseball game a night and watching a Netflix movie every few days cause be to go over the 2 gigs of monthly data? Thanks. Really going back and forth here.
 
If you don't surf the web every single place you go......iPad.
If you just have to have the web no matter where u are.....iPhone
 
Blakjack said:
If you don't surf the web every single place you go......iPad.
If you just have to have the web no matter where u are, iphonee
Click to expand...

I'd say the complete opposite. If you surf the web and especially if you are watching sporting events and need those functions on the go definitely go ipad. The ipad is just so easy to whip out, instant on, and bam you are connected on a nice large screen. The iphone4 is so overly hyped IMO with the retina screen, any way you cut it you are still squinting at a small screen on the iphone, I don't care how sharp the text is. If you have the 3gs there is no reason to upgrade, unless you have the cash to do both, but if you are asking whether you should upgrade your 3gs to a iphone4 and NO ipad, or if you should keep your 3gs and get an ipad, to me it's a complete no brainer, get the ipad.
 
Oh btw to add difficulty to the decision, 3g pretty much sucks, especially if you are not getting the unlimited plans which don't exist anymore and you plan on streaming a lot of video. I miss EVDO which did "feel" as fast as wifi, but 3g is pretty crappy, but it's definitely doable with video, it's just not the same as if your campus had wifi.

All things considered, it looks like you will be on 3g whether on your ipad or your iphone so it's a moot point and IMO you should still get the ipad.
 
There is an incorrect assumption being made about these devices. They serve two very different purposes.

Given that, you have a working solution for one realm, the phone/micro computer. Keep it, you have no reason to be an early adopter of an enhanced version of that.

Get the iPad if you have a need to fill the void between phone/micro computer and laptop. That, incidentally is what the device is for.
 
As someone who went through the same scenario; get the iPad and stick with your current iPhone. The 3GS does 80% of what the new iPhone does, and ios 4 makes it like a new phone. The ipad is the best web browsing device ever. Why have only 1 iPhone when you can have an iPad and iPhone. Seems like a no brainer to me. There's no going back after iPad.
 
what can the iphone 4 do to replace your 3gs?
they pretty much do exactly the same thing.
face time, i doubt you'd use it. the camera is nice, but how often do you really take photos?
and the gyroscope, i guess.

but the ipad can do a lot more.

the thing is, if you get an iphone 4, i doubt you would feel very different than what you're doing now with your 3gs.
if you get the ipad, you will have two useful devices opposed to just upgrading the one.

i would say ipad, if any of the two.
and if you're willing to i would recommend waiting for ipad 2.

honestly, what i would do is just get the iphone 4, and sell it. they seem to be selling for a lot of money right now, and the difference in payment will probably pay for your ipad straight up.

your choice though, either way. i would recommend not buying the iphone 4 to replace your 3gs.
 
AR15MBP said:
As someone who went through the same scenario; get the iPad and stick with your current iPhone. The 3GS does 80% of what the new iPhone does, and ios 4 makes it like a new phone. The ipad is the best web browsing device ever. Why have only 1 iPhone when you can have an iPad and iPhone. Seems like a no brainer to me. There's no going back after iPad.
Click to expand...

+1

I say get the iPad.

The 3GS with iOS 4 works really nicely. My iPad has reduced my need for a full-function laptop to less than 20% of what it used to be (from daily down to once a week).
 
the ipad is amazing. the iphone 4 really is not that compelling of any upgrade, great phone -- but really nothing here that makes your jaw drop.

ipad is just out of this world. i use it everywhere and it is really the greatest travel companion.
 
I would recommend you buying iPad. It runs so fast and so smooth!
I just love my iPad. iPhone 4 is the same thing as 3GS
P.s
Sent from my iPad. :D
 
Ive got the 3gs on 4.0 and its a good enough upgrade software wise that I dont really feel i need to upgrade to iphone 4 yet I have an ipad also and the combo is working pretty well so I vote ipad
 
Another vote for iPad.

In answer to you question about streaming video every day. Yes you will blow through the 2gb pretty quickly. Depending on the video quality/size you will get about 4 hours of video for 1GB on average. Does your campus have wifi everywhere or do you have Ethernet in your rooms? If there is Ethernet in your room you could get a wifi router and connect that way maybe.
 
You're in the iPad forum, what answer would you expect??

But it's true. If you are even considering iPad you should make that your first priority. :D
 
I'd say iPad as well. I have an iPad and iP4, I haven't used the iP4 for browsing the internet once.. despite the retina display it's much more enjoyable reading/browsing on the iPad...

If I didn't already give my 3Gs away to my mom I probably would have put my iP4 up for sale...
 
I have a 3GS and an iPad 3G 64 GB, a great combo for me and even if I was eligible for a iPhone 4 upgrade I don't think I would bother.

So yes another vote for you getting the iPad.
 
Smaller is not always better. The iPad is great for reading, surfing and just about anything else. I personally find using the iPhone for certains tasks a bit clunky and cumersome. The iPad is much easier to use in many situations.
 
After getting the ipad 3g, I dropped my smart phone completely.

All I need a phone for is to call/text/camera, the rest is done on the ipad.
 
Interesting thread.

I'm in the same boat trying to decide between an iPhone 4G upgrade from a 3Gs and an iPad 3G.

I was planing on waiting for the iPhone 5G (or whatever it's called) since my contract won't expire for another year and get the iPad now. However, after seeing the stunning Retina display on the iPhone 4G, I am re-evaluating which way to go.
 
I have an iPhone 3G, not a 3Gs, and an iPad. I'd still vote for getting the iPad. I have updated the iPhone to iOS4, and although it doesn't multitask, etc. it's still nice enough. The iPad has replaced it for much of what I was doing with the iPhone, and I have also thought about whether I need a smart phone anymore. I decided I do because the iPhone goes in my pocket and is always available to look something up while away from the iPad, which I do not carry everywhere.

Long winded - bottom line, another vote for the iPad if it's a choice between that or a new iPhone.
 
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