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Should I wait for iPhone 4G or get the 3Gs?

iRaphas13

iRaphas13

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2010
5
0
Well, i have an old iPhone, the 2G (or, the first gen). It is almost totally broken: after a few (lot) times falling on the floor, the speakers are dead and the wi-fi doesn't work anymore...

I asked my dad for the 3Gs for christmas on 2009 and he said "ok". But when xmas arrived, he told me to wait til he goes to china (iPhones are cheaper there and have no contract) in March. Now, after watching a video on youtube saying "There WILL be a new iPhone this year." and looking at this post, i have been wondering: Should i get the iPhone 3Gs in March (considering that i can't use the web at all on my 2G iPhone) or should i wait to get the 4G version on June, July or something? :confused:

Please answer ASAP!!! I'm desperate!!!
 
Search around....lots of threads on this very topic.
Plan on new iPhone every summer.
If you need a phone now and can live sans wifi/speakers...hold out until June.
 
I waited for months for the 3GS... and it's essentially exactly the same as the 3G. I reckon the 4G will be the same crap yet again but more expensive.

I say get a 3GS now and enjoy it! That way your 18month contract will expire in time for the 5th gen.
 
what about wifi?

unless he happens to find unlocked US standard phones (I've heard the black market has many over there, but he will need to know where to look), he will have to buy a China standard phone, and I believe the Chinese phones either have no WiFi or use a different WiFi Standard.

You're better off just waiting for this summer's iPhone unless you ABSOLUTELY need to have a phone right now.
 
ss957916 said:
I waited for months for the 3GS... and it's essentially exactly the same as the 3G. I reckon the 4G will be the same crap yet again but more expensive.
Click to expand...

This is false, that is unless you don't care about processor speed, which does make a difference on the iPhone—or you don't use the camera, as the 3GS is better both for still and video—the latter isn't even available sans jailbreak or terrible quality apps on the 3G.

And, in case you missed it. iPhone prices have not gone up. 1Gen prices went down. 2Gen prices did not, though monthly costs did (bringing them inline w/ Blackberries, btw). 1Ggen to 3G to 3GS did not go up. It's not expected for the next gen to either.

ss957916 said:
I say get a 3GS now and enjoy it! That way your 18month contract will expire in time for the 5th gen.
Click to expand...

But if he gets the 5th gen he won't be able to get the 6th gen! z0mg.
 
ss957916 said:
I waited for months for the 3GS... and it's essentially exactly the same as the 3G. I reckon the 4G will be the same crap yet again but more expensive.

I say get a 3GS now and enjoy it! That way your 18month contract will expire in time for the 5th gen.
Click to expand...

Where were you january 27th? Odds are theyre going to put in a slightly less powerful A4 chip into the new iPhone.
 
iRaphas13 said:
Well, they are if you live in Brazil like me -.- ...
Click to expand...

The other thing to consider is that your dad would need to make sure to not get a counterfeit iPhone in China. There have been a few reports on this forum of people getting what they thought was a great deal on an iPhone from a Chinese supplier or website, only to end up with a lump of hardware that looks only vaguely like an iPhone, and is loaded with five or six apps and a weird OS that isn't compatible with any iPhone software.
 
Penguissimo said:
The other thing to consider is that your dad would need to make sure to not get a counterfeit iPhone in China. There have been a few reports on this forum of people getting what they thought was a great deal on an iPhone from a Chinese supplier or website, only to end up with a lump of hardware that looks only vaguely like an iPhone, and is loaded with five or six apps and a weird OS that isn't compatible with any iPhone software.
Click to expand...

NO! of course not!!! I'm saying MY DAD IS GOING TO CHINA for business. He does this a few times in a year... And I'm pretty sure he can recognize an iPhone (having in mind that he had a 2G (the one that i have now) and he has a 3G)...

Thanks XD
 
iRaphas13 said:
NO! of course not!!! I'm saying MY DAD IS GOING TO CHINA for business. He does this a few times in a year... And I'm pretty sure he can recognize an iPhone (having in mind that he had a 2G (the one that i have now) and he has a 3G)...

Thanks XD
Click to expand...

No problem...it never hurts to make sure ;)
 
I don't think you should buy the iphone in China, I am a chinese myself, there are a lot of counterfeit iphone in china even if your father can tell which the difference between them, there's no Apple store in china, if your dad wanna get one from china, he needs to buy it from the retailers, and I think it is hard for ur dad to bargain with them, because if you wanna get a little bit lower price by bargain, u really need to know how to deal with it!!!!!
The common price in China is almost the same here is 449 pound for a iphone 3GS, in UK. if ur dad can bargain with these retailers, he might get a price around 440 pound, so what is the difference???????? If u don't wanna sign a contract, why not try the pay as u go?
 
Well in international countries, such as El Salvador, an iphone 3G cost $749.50. pre-paid...

so imagine an iphone 3GS we're talking about maybe in the line of $750-$900.

In the U.S you can find a used 3GS between $500-$700.

I hope your dad has the money.;) good luck
 
I was in a simliar position last week. Always wanted an iPhone but had been locked into a long contract.
I seen little point signing another 18/24 month contract for the current 3GS, so just got a pay as you go iPhone on orange to use. Why did I not just wait till June you might ask?
Well not sure I want another contract nor do I have any idea if I will even like, want or need whatever the 4G iPhone my be.
If I do get a 4G I will just flog this 3GS one.
 
wr17447877 said:
I don't think you should buy the iphone in China, I am a chinese myself, there are a lot of counterfeit iphone in china even if your father can tell which the difference between them, there's no Apple store in china, if your dad wanna get one from china, he needs to buy it from the retailers, and I think it is hard for ur dad to bargain with them, because if you wanna get a little bit lower price by bargain, u really need to know how to deal with it!!!!!
The common price in China is almost the same here is 449 pound for a iphone 3GS, in UK. if ur dad can bargain with these retailers, he might get a price around 440 pound, so what is the difference???????? If u don't wanna sign a contract, why not try the pay as u go?
Click to expand...

The thing is that my dad has a Chinese friend. and this friend knows about where to get this kind of stuff. He was going to get me the 3Gs but i said to wait (based on the general opinion here.) and get me the 4G sometime around June.

Thanks for everyone who opined :D
 
If you can't wait, I'd buy a used 3G and sell it in June and then you will still be eligible for the 4G upgrade if you can get it at a subsidy in Brazil.
 
vivithemage said:
didn't they not have wifi at one production period too?
Click to expand...

no. wi-fi was on the iPhone since the first iPhone evar. And My wi-fi WAS working, until it fell a few times and... yeah... :( hope my patience LET me wait until june to get the 4G... :rolleyes:
 
Every year, there will be a new iPhone released during the summer. Historically we've seen this and would expect that trend to continue.

iPhone 3Gs in March or the iPhone 4G in June?

My guess is the the 4G will have the following:
- Improved camera -- maybe with a flash
- More memory
- Faster processor
- Maybe a USB connector
- Hopefully longer battery life

Also, when the new iPhone is released, current models will go on sale. So you should be able to pick up a 3Gs for less. Although this might be harder than before as I've read where Apple is trying to maintain lower stockage levels.

If your current iPhone is usable as a phone, then I think I would wait for the 4G.

One thing is for certain, no matter which model you get, there will be a new one released the following summer. Life is unpredictable. Get what makes you happy. :)
 
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