Waiting: Good or bad idea?

[jshbckr]

Unfortunately, I currently don't have the funds to buy an iPhone on launch day, so I'll be forced to wait a few weeks after launch. But my question is: Is it better to wait a few weeks or get it on launch day?

You see, with a device like this, I feel that waiting will yield benefits such as user response, chance to see how well it really functions, perhaps see one in action before putting down $600 on it.

But on the other hand... I look to my experience of camping out for the Wii. I was first in line and waited 13 hours to buy my Wii on launch day. I have not seen a Wii in a store since.

Part of me is very afraid that these will be impossible to find if you don't get one at launch. I also fear that if you can purchase the iPhone from Apple without a plan, they'll probably get bought up and put on eBay.

 

[elg23]

buy it on launch day, if you dont like it, you got 14 days to return it...

 

[applehero]

There will be plenty available after launch. You may have to wait a couple of weeks, but I doubt it. Don't put yourself in a pinch just to get it on launch day, there's no need.

 

[SilentPanda]

Unfortunately, I currently don't have the funds to buy an iPhone on launch day, so I'll be forced to wait a few weeks after launch.

It doesn't look like it matters either way for you.

I plan on waiting myself. While they might be out of stock for the first few weeks I don't know that it will be like the Wii.

 

[TenaciousPZ]

This is one product that has absolutely no advantage to waiting.

Don't count on a new model in 6 months either. They just got this one right, and have designed it to see many many software upgrades. New hardware won't be necessary for a long time... after all there is only one button, what would they need to upgrade?

 

[indig0blue]

If you live in the Columbus, OH area, then I then I definitely think you should wait. If you live anywhere else in the country, then absolutely go for it on launch day!

 

[jshbckr]

I don't think I'd wait for an upgrade, I wouldn't be able to contain myself! But very good point on upgrading, actually. There is only one button... the only things I could see changing would be memory increase.

I'll probably get mine Mid-July. As long as you can still find them on the shelves!

 

[TenaciousPZ]

the only things I could see changing would be memory increase.

which, given their rationale for the current, should only UP the price...not an attractive upgrade.

 

[i0Nic]

This is one product that has absolutely no advantage to waiting.

Don't count on a new model in 6 months either. They just got this one right, and have designed it to see many many software upgrades. New hardware won't be necessary for a long time... after all there is only one button, what would they need to upgrade?

3G
Increase of storage space
Increase of megapixels/quality of camera
GPS

They are the things I'm waiting for from the iPhone... hopefully iphone v2 will bring the goods.

 

[zgh1999]

Dude....

There are many things you should hold off and wait before buying -- like the PS3, for example.

But the iPhone is a totally dfferent game....the iPhone is the GOD's Machine.

You need to grab the iPhone ASAP.

No point in waiting and jerking around.

Sell your clothes, tv, don't eat lunch or breakfast.

In 8 days, you will have enough money to buy the iPhone at its launch.

 

[jshbckr]

From what I've heard about 3G is that it doesn't have very wide coverage, and AT&T is making EDGE twice as fast as it used to be.

And as nice as those possible upgrades would be, I've got 30 gigs of music and 15 gigs of videos, I don't think there will be an iPhone in the next 5 years to accommodate me in that regard.

I think it'd be far more worth it to buy an iPhone as soon as possible and enjoy it rather than wait for those upgrades.

 

[qzak]

From what I've heard about 3G is that it doesn't have very wide coverage, and AT&T is making EDGE twice as fast as it used to be.

Look on AT&T's website, any big city in the country has 3G. People say 3G isn't very wide coverage, like it's only in NYC and LA or something, but it's all over the place, just not far from the cities. I really don't see why Apple didn't include it!

 

[i0Nic]

From what I've heard about 3G is that it doesn't have very wide coverage, and AT&T is making EDGE twice as fast as it used to be.

And as nice as those possible upgrades would be, I've got 30 gigs of music and 15 gigs of videos, I don't think there will be an iPhone in the next 5 years to accommodate me in that regard.

I think it'd be far more worth it to buy an iPhone as soon as possible and enjoy it rather than wait for those upgrades.

I dunno, I live in Australia and 3G has very wide coverage here, and data plans are getting better price wise.
Also, I don't think it would be too unreasonable to see a 32gb iPhone by the end of 2008. I would suspect that the next version of the iPhone to come in 8gb and 32gb versions.

 

[pr5owner]

it maybe better to wait till 2nd gen, maybe the 2nd gen iphone will have 3.5g or 4G a 5MP CCD 3x optical camera and a virtual laser KB

who knows, there may even be a recall on the first gen phones (catching on fire like razrs)

usually first gen stuff isnt that great, the later gens are most of the time way better with more features (except for linksys wrt54g routers, earlier gens are BETTER than later gens, dont know how that works)

 

[jshbckr]

But regardless of whether or not it's 8 gigs or 32 gigs, I'm still going to have to pick and choose what goes onto it.

And about the 3G, it's not available many places. Nowhere in Iowa (where I'm at). Plus, I heard Apple didn't include it because the components made the phone thicker.

I don't think I'll mind not having 3G, it looks like if the phone had it, only 20% of owners would be able to use it.

 

[i0Nic]

But regardless of whether or not it's 8 gigs or 32 gigs, I'm still going to have to pick and choose what goes onto it.

And about the 3G, it's not available many places. Nowhere in Iowa (where I'm at). Plus, I heard Apple didn't include it because the components made the phone thicker.

I don't think I'll mind not having 3G, it looks like if the phone had it, only 20% of owners would be able to use it.

Fair enough everyone has their own needs/wants. I don't really see the need for carrying all my music/video on me at all times, my collection is over 30gb but I use smart playlists for my 8gb nano which serves me great.

3G may not be available or used a lot in the USA, but when it hits Australia and also Europe is must have 3G or it will fail, so for me having a 3G iPhone is a big deal.

As far as 3G components making a phone thicker, check out the 9mm thick Sony Ericsson W880, my current phone, that is 3G. So I don't think that can be a valid reason.

 

[walangij]

If you can't afford it on launch day then just wait until you can, it's not like the world will end or you won't be able to find any. I'm sure that Apple will keep a good stock and we'll have nice healthy supply flowing into the hands of users. If it goes crazy and iPhones are too hot, at least you will have the money later and be dedicated enough to find a supply someplace.

 

[jshbckr]

Fair enough everyone has their own needs/wants. I don't really see the need for carrying all my music/video on me at all times, my collection is over 30gb but I use smart playlists for my 8gb nano which serves me great.

3G may not be available or used a lot in the USA, but when it hits Australia and also Europe is must have 3G or it will fail, so for me having a 3G iPhone is a big deal.

As far as 3G components making a phone thicker, check out the 9mm thick Sony Ericsson W880, my current phone, that is 3G. So I don't think that can be a valid reason.

Oh yeah, I forgot that the W880 has a multiple-input sensitive touch display and 8 gigs of flash memory!

 

[paulyras]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

This is one product that has absolutely no advantage to waiting.

Don't count on a new model in 6 months either. They just got this one right, and have designed it to see many many software upgrades. New hardware won't be necessary for a long time... after all there is only one button, what would they need to upgrade?

I totally agree. Most of the updates we see for some time to come will be software related. Along the lines of tweaking or adding features or bug fixes, but with the only wildcard being flash prices and a potential storage increase at some point, I think it will be some time before the hardware gets reved.