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Should I get an iPhone 4 or iPad?

sushi said:
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.
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Don't get me wrong, the new display is very nice, but I wouldn't consider it a must-have if your 3GS is doing the job. The gyroscope has potential, but time will tell how well it is used and how many must-have apps require it. If you were eligible for a full upgrade, there would be little room for debate, but under the circumstances, I think that your 3GS is enough for now.

The iPad is a little faster in most typical operations because its A4 processor is not underclocked like it is on the iPhone 4. The larger screen lends itself well to applications with spectators (showing a movie or playing something like air hockey) and "lazier" consumption, that which doesn't have the screen pressed against your nose. If you are just looking for a more powerful device, waiting a little longer for the next iPod Touch might be more up your alley. If you don't have an idea specifically for the iPad, it's quite a premium (greater cost, less pocketable) that may end up going to waste.
 
I have both an iPad (wifi) and iPhone 4. If I had to make a decision between the two (and based on what info you've provided), I'd go with the iPad Wifi and then I'd jailbreak my iPhone. For a $10 one-time fee you can buy MyWi and tether your iPad to your 3GS for mobile internet. Works extremely well and saves you a ton of money.

Some people may have issues with this as it relates to the Terms and Conditions of your AT&T contract, so it's not for everyone. I, for one, am disgusted that AT&T now charges us for a defined 2GB of data and then charges extra for tethering so I'm not exactly losing sleep at night (or at least I wasn't when I had my 3GS).
 
iFerd, sakanagai, and aperry, thanks for the feedback.

I live in Japan, so on the trains it is easier to use a small device like the iPhone instead of a larger device like the iPad.

What blew me away with the Retina display, was photos. I felt like I was looking at a printed 3.5 inch photo. Granted it's small, but the clarity seemed that it would be perfect device to show/share the occasional photo.

For me, the key benefits of the iPhone 4G over the 3Gs are:
  • Retina display
  • Thinner
  • Longer battery life
  • Camera flash
  • Better camera

Of course the iPad has it's benefits as well. :)

Again, appreciate the feedback.
 
Another vote for the iPad.

I've got an iPhone 3G which works fine and has done for 2 years nearly. I was going to get an Iphone 4 but got an iPad instead the day after it was released in the UK. I'm so glad I did because it is truly great and using the iPhone after using the iPad is really disappointing in terms of speed and more importantly pure screen size. The iPhone 4 is faster than the 3GS but not as fast as the iPad and the iPhone 4 still has the small screen.

Go for the iPad - it is truly a different category of device and you will use it constantly. I haven't picked up my Powerbook in 3 weeks or so since I got my iPad. In fact I'll be selling my Powerbook in the next few weeks because it is no longer desired or required.
 
sushi said:
iFerd, sakanagai, and aperry, thanks for the feedback.

I live in Japan, so on the trains it is easier to use a small device like the iPhone instead of a larger device like the iPad.

What blew me away with the Retina display, was photos. I felt like I was looking at a printed 3.5 inch photo. Granted it's small, but the clarity seemed that it would be perfect device to show/share the occasional photo.

For me, the key benefits of the iPhone 4G over the 3Gs are:
  • Retina display
  • Thinner
  • Longer battery life
  • Camera flash
  • Better camera

Of course the iPad has it's benefits as well. :)

Again, appreciate the feedback.
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You should see photos on the iPad's IPS screen!

You can't really compare the iPad and Iphone though, they are 2 different things, its like comparing Netbooks to 17"Laptops. You can have both.
 
I have found that since I have bought the iPad, my iPhone is now primarily used as a phone. Using it as a phone used to be it's third maybe forth most common use.
 
My personal take...

I own a 3G (not 3GS) and i was blown away by the i4 but still not really sure if I want to upgrade or not. The only thing that's really making me consider at this point is that the battery on my 3G is getting pretty weak. In your case, iPad all the way.
 
I have a iPad 3G wifi and a 3GS iPhone. My iPhone is only used for calls and SMS now.


My wife has the iPhone 4, its nice, the screen is good and IMO the camera is a massive step up.

If it were my choice iPad all the way. My 3GS contract ran out in may and I haven't bothered upgrading to the iPhone 4 (much to my wifes amazement). Just got a real cheap text and talk plan in the Uk and have my iPad on a 3G network that gives me 10gb a month for £15

If I'm honest when got the iPad I thought it would be a bit of a gimmick, it's actually a very productive business tool as well. Our internal email system at work can be accessed via the web. This then turns the iPad into my mobile office.
 
bosoxnm3 said:
Should I get an iPhone 4 or iPad?
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This is like asking "Should I have arms or just legs?"

They are very different tools that share some common features but with different implementations. I'm personally finding plenty uses for both. If you had to choose only one, and had no other means to accomplish the functions of the other, I'd say the iPhone is your more utility play, although you will be sacrificing the superior content consumption features of the iPad in doing so. The iPhone can access almost all the media that the iPad can, but it would make a lousy phone device for everyday communications. Many users have settled on an iPad + cheap (plain) flip phone to do this and that really tells the story quite well.

But honestly, if you don't have to choose, then don't.
 
For college students, the iPad would be a better option since you carry around your backpack anyways. For people that work full time, like me, I find that I'm only able to use my iPad at home or during travel. So I would prefer the iPhone 4.
 
Get both, you know you want to =)

I guess if you HAD to have one, get the iPad, you already have an iPhone which only has less resolution... ( this is not to suggest I won't hit the buy now button as soon as iPhone 4 shows up in my country)
 
spinedoc77 said:
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.
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As someone who owns both an iPad and iPhone 4, I couldn't disagree more.

The sharpness of text, even when at say half the size of the iPad, is a factor I'm finding to reduce eye strain. The lack of dithering helps tremendously, it won't be apparent until you've lived with it for a few hours.

That said, I've been very impressed with both devices. Right now if I had to pick 3GS/iPad combo vs. just an iPhone 4, I might actually lean toward the latter, more for the screen than anything else.
 
It makes sense to think about what you'll be using the devices for. When I first saw the iPad, I knew I would have a use for it in academia: reading papers and managing grades. If you don't know what you're going to do with it, it might only serve as a beautiful toy.

With that said, if you can only choose one, then I would say to choose the iPad. The iPhone 3GS is a great phone in its own right, and the upgrade is not as drastic as many make it out. Sure, it does get a faster data connection, better reception (when you're holding it right, and you're measuring sound to noise ratio), have a better screen, etc. The iPad, however, is a refreshing change for computing and you may enjoy it more.

My verdict: play with both, try to get both, but get the iPad if you can't afford it.
 
I have an iPad and a 3Gs. I am very happy with both and have very little desire to upgrade the iPhone except for a hardware issue I am now having because my son dropped it.

I am very happy with the iPad and use it a lot more than I thought i would. I still use my 3Gs at work (haven't started taking my iPad to work yet).

I don't like the data plan for the iPad however. I think if I am paying for unlimited data for my iPhone, I should be able to either have the 3G access on my iPad or tether it. I am fixing that by upgrading the verizon air card I have for work to a Mifi.

My suggestion would be to stick with the 3Gs and get an iPad. :)
 
SPNarwhal said:
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.
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Blakeco123 said:
i would say get the ipad because you already have an iphone
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two great advice if your funds are limited.
 
I have a 3GS and a 32GB Ipad 3G and if I had the choice of upgrading to an iPhone 4 or getting an iPad I would choose........ the iPad.

While the iP4 has upgraded hardware (better camera, higher res display etc) I still find I am using my iPad now for most tasks which I would previously have used my phone for.

The iPad is just superb for checking and responding to emails, browsing the web (is a higher res smaller display more important to you than a much bigger one?). iBooks and Kindle app are brilliant and I can actually do some work on it. Plus if I need to VPN into my main PC, LogMeIn is far more usable.

Plus you still have your 3GS to fall back on, for those times where you need to be truly mobile and just need quick access to things.

In fact, if I had to choose between my iPad and a cheap simple phone or my 3GS I would keep the iPad!
 
Blakeco123 said:
i would say get the ipad because you already have an iphone
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I totally agree.
I`ve both an iPhone 3G, and an iPad 16GB WiFi. The iPad was the better buy.
Stay with your "old" iPhone, and get an iPad.

+ bigger, better screen
+ faster web browsing
+ games are better on a bigger screen
+ great e-book reader
+ thin and light
+ long battery life

I use my iPad at the university and it is perfect
 
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