I'm an early adopter - Getting ready to updgrade to the 3G iPhone

[SF_VR6]

So I am preparing for the 3G iPhone which may come out within the next 6-12 months (or any other major hardware updated iPhone [GPS enabled etc...]). Assuming that you must buy an entirely new iPhone for this hardware update.

What do you think this process will be like for current iPhone owners?

Will we be able to purchase the iPhone 3G and activate it and agreeing to another 2 year contract?

I'd like to eventually give my current iPhone as a hand me down to my family/girlfriend? Could I put my girlfriends 3G sim card into my current iPhone and have her number and info migrated to my iPhone?

As an early adopter, I am preparing for the next upgrade already (as I am sure some of you here are as well )



thoughts?

D-

 

[chris]

I think your question relies on a lot of "ifs". The biggest question is when Apple releases a 3G iPhone OR if the current iPhone can be upgraded via firmware. From what I've read, the latter is not possible. I've also seen discussions contrary to that opinion/thought.

Personally, I doubt you'll see a "new" 3G iPhone in 6-12 months. Upgrade? If possible, then I could see it. New iPhone...not for 1.5 to 2 years. Of course, I'm not including the rumored iPhone nano, but I'd expect that to be EDGE as well. It would make no sense to release a smaller, watered down version of the iPhone with more robust features ie. 3G.

-Chris

 

[JnC]

A 3G testing disclosure by the FCC/Apple is required before the replacement can be sold. And then it may be about a month or two before enough phones are ready.

Remember, the iPhone release was about 1.5 months after the FCC GSM disclosure.

 

[OJsakila]

why would you do that? You'd have to get one through tmobile Europe and if you spend more air time here than there they will cancel you. The phone will be quite larger to accomadate the 3g chip. Battery power will be worse and nothing like what you have now. Also the 3g network in the u.s. Is not at all the same 3g network in Europe. All this info was given to you over edge, by the way. No problems here in Savannah!

 

[mlass]

If it's another Non-Subsidized phone then I don't see any 2 year contract or extension for current customers. Being a long time customer I didn't have to sign a 2 year contract or extension and didn't have to pay an activation fee for my iPhones.

 

[Sleeper]

Your contract shouldn't be affected. Simply pop the SIM and slide it into the new shell and you should be OK.

 

[Ramesh]

Well, if another phone comes out (which I doubt) that is similar to the current iPhone, there's no way Apple will say "oh... I'm sorry you bought the early one. Here's a coupon for $200". JMO

Also, there's been a lot of discussions regarding 3G. It isn't something that's built into the sim card. It's actual chip that is part of the phone. It's much larger and kills the battery quite quickly, to my understanding. If you do a search, you'll see MANY threads on this....

Hope this helps...

 

[hexonxonx]

Well, if another phone comes out (which I doubt) that is similar to the current iPhone, there's no way Apple will say "oh... I'm sorry you bought the early one. Here's a coupon for $200". JMO

Also, there's been a lot of discussions regarding 3G. It isn't something that's built into the sim card. It's actual chip that is part of the phone. It's much larger and kills the battery quite quickly, to my understanding. If you do a search, you'll see MANY threads on this....

Hope this helps...

I agree. Look at my MacBook Pro. I just bought it a week and a half ago. If Apple puts out a new one next month, they won't offer me a discount just because I bought it a month and a half ago, they would charge me full price. That's the way it goes with any phone and any computer.

I could care less about the 3G, I read the tests done on the blackjack and the iPhone and the iPhone in most of the tests always got better battery life.
No need to add 3G if it's gonna cut my battery life in half. I didn't have 3G on my Treo and I'm very happy it's not on my iPhone.

 

[RomeoSto]

I agree. Look at my MacBook Pro. I just bought it a week and a half ago. If Apple puts out a new one next month, they won't offer me a discount just because I bought it a month and a half ago, they would charge me full price. That's the way it goes with any phone and any computer.

I could care less about the 3G, I read the tests done on the blackjack and the iPhone and the iPhone in most of the tests always got better battery life.
No need to add 3G if it's gonna cut my battery life in half. I didn't have 3G on my Treo and I'm very happy it's not on my iPhone.

I had 3G on my treo 750v and I understand exactly what your saying, it was not the best experience with battery life. I almost put that treo in my desk door so it would be no where to be found after I played with my iPhone the good thing about the iPhone is wifi can be disable or enable at will, but with the energy consuming 3G chipset you can't.

 

[mrsackler]

I think you will be able to switch the SIM out like normal, else what purpose does that sim slot serve up top? That idea may have already been proven wrong, though. Has anyone attempted to put their iPhone's SIM into another iPhone or regular phone?

I for one reaaaaallllyyy hope they don't release another one for at least a year, and instead focus on fixing the many problems that plague this one.

 

[ColsTiger]

I think you will be able to switch the SIM out like normal, else what purpose does that sim slot serve up top? That idea may have already been proven wrong, though. Has anyone attempted to put their iPhone's SIM into another iPhone or regular phone?

I for one reaaaaallllyyy hope they don't release another one for at least a year, and instead focus on fixing the many problems that plague this one.

The sim card will work just fine in other Cingular/AT&T phones. The only thing you don't get is the visual voicemail in other phones.

 

[Ramesh]

I think you will be able to switch the SIM out like normal, else what purpose does that sim slot serve up top? That idea may have already been proven wrong, though. Has anyone attempted to put their iPhone's SIM into another iPhone or regular phone?

I for one reaaaaallllyyy hope they don't release another one for at least a year, and instead focus on fixing the many problems that plague this one.

Switching out SIMS was never a question. yes, you can switch it out to another phone... but that doesn't add 3G (unless the new phone has 3G)

 

[SF_VR6]

The sim card will work just fine in other Cingular/AT&T phones. The only thing you don't get is the visual voicemail in other phones.

If I put my girlfriend's blackjacks's Sim card into the iPhone, will the iPhone work with her phone number and contacts?

 

[Sleeper]

I could care less about the 3G, I read the tests done on the blackjack and the iPhone and the iPhone in most of the tests always got better battery life.

No need to add 3G if it's gonna cut my battery life in half. I didn't have 3G on my Treo and I'm very happy it's not on my iPhone.

Super. I on the other hand would rather have a phone that can actually communicate quickly on the basis that I can charge my phone at work, at home and in the car but can't actually speed up an EDGE signal.