[kwill]

Keeping my 16GB iPhone. When I purchased a new car at the beginning of the year, a navigation system was thousands more. So I was in the market for a turn-by-turn GPS system that would cost as much as new iPhone. I held out for the keynote and all I saw was a flashing red dot on the iPhone freeway map. Anticlimactic. I was really anticipating some awesome Apple mapping graphics. Maybe it's something that will be offered after the App Store is up and running.

[Walt_Basil]

I could get one if I wanted. Lord knows I paid out $1500 for my original one on release day when all was said and done, and I just bought a brand new Harley-Davidson (explains my lack of online presence to those curious...) so I can spend $10 on a fill-up instead of $50. So money is not the issue. Two things combined are making me pass this one up: the black backing, and lack of 3G in my area. Even if 3G were in my area, I'd much rather use my matte aluminum backed iPhone. When someone sees it, they know it's an iPhone. Seeing an all black-backed phone... could be any old phone. And if it had the same aluminum backing as my current one, I'd still pass it up because of the 3G. I supposed I could get used to the black back, but not if I don't have to.
Will this current iPhone owner upgrade? Naaa. I'll be happy with my iPhone Take 2 Software!

[Brian024]

I wont be upgrading to the iPhone 3G. The new features on the iPhone 3G are not significant enough for me to want to upgrade. I like the fact that they dropeed the price down to $199 but I don't like the more expensive data plan (an addtional $10 a month).

For the most part I use WiFi anyways and I already own a GPS. Also, the GPS feature on the new iPhone doesn't seem to tell you turn by turn directions by voice commands like some of the smart phones that are out there today.

I am going to wait until apple hopefully makes a major upgrade to the iPhone like MMS messaging, video camera, copy/paste and something that we would all like to see, flash media player for the browser!

[jhebroCA]

::deleted::

[WoodJam]

I have no reason to upgrade. I'm happy with my 1st gen iPhone. It looks way better than the new plastic ones. And, ATT screwing everyone on the data plan is going to backfire - you watch. I can't believe they bumped the built in SMS messages from the data plan and are going to make you pony up an additional $5 in addition to the already $10 more data plan. The $199 price tag is smoke and mirrors. ATT should be ashamed and they won't get me to bite.

[justme2]

I'll likely upgrade -- sort of promised my husband that he'd get my iPhone 1.0 after I do. I'm more out of WiFi areas than in (especially when I'm on transit), so 3G will be a plus for me, and 16GB will be enough for now (will enable me to put on my favorite tunes and video podcasts).

[soulbarn]

Wait, did one of these posters say that the new iPhone - with GPS - would be missing turn-by-turn navigation? Really?

How the heck did that happen? Are there any details...


There goes my reason to upgrade - being able to use real-time Google Maps, with traffic and t-by-t navigation, as opposed to the lame Tom Tom system was what I was after.

Is it because t-by-t is going to be a third-party deal?

[mediaman]

OK, so far what I see here as the majority is that most who actually posted a comment are NOT going to purchase an iPhone3G when it arrives in July. It makes me laugh to read these comment sections, because they NEVER represent the actual real world consensus. Most of the time, only the persons that have a "beef" against a product are going to actually post something anyway. So, when a good product or service is being evaluated, it most always is made out to be "bad" or "evil".
Anyway, with that said...
While the REST OF THE WORLD begins to LEGALLY purchase 3G iPhones, we have the rest of you HILLBILLIES here in the great USofA stuck on the old one. Come on!
I for one am going to be purchasing EVERYONE in my immediate family (who, yes, currently have an Edge iPhone) a new iPhone 3G. And the consensus of the REAL WORLD people I speak to everyday are doing the SAME on day one. And NO I do not run around in NERDSVILLE. Just your average everyday working man. I do not work in the tech field, nor do I have a lot of money. But, the added ability of software developers to write programs utilizing 3G and GPS is well worth the new investment into the iPhone 3G for me.

[classicmac]

I thought it was pretty funny that Macworld let someone who spends most of his time at home, and "can squeak out just about one bar of coverage" write an article about the iPhone. He obviously doesn't have much experience with it. If he really doesn't get AT&T coverage, and doesn't use the data plan he should get the iPod touch.
If you are a current iPhone owner you will most likely be able to sell your current iPhone for at least $200. This is because it is very easily unlockable for use on the T-Mobile network. T-Mobile users will not be able to purchase the new iPhone for $199 unless they are willing to terminate their contract with T-Mobile and switch to AT&T. Just take a look on eBay right now. An 8GB used iPhone goes for about $300.
I also read a rumor that the iPhone plans will now be eligible for discounts if you are affiliated with a corporation, school, or government agency. Almost everyone falls in to one of those categories and if it is true you will probably pay about the same amount you pay today for your bill. If you want to see if you qualify go to https://www.wireless.att.com/premier. Remember the discounts are not available on the current iPhone plans. Let's all hope the 3G plans are eligible.

[ggore]

I have a TomTom GPS unit, so I don't need that on my iPhone. 3G is only available in two towns in Oklahoma (expanding to 4 towns in '08, big whoop) and I travel the entire state, so that's out. Otherwise the 2.0 software will give (hopefully) all the new features I need. I am perfectly happy right now.

[Voe]

Buy a new /Update iPhone? Not compelling at this time. Why not?: one major feature missing - iChat video conferencing.

[ZBro]

I won't upgrade, and before the iPhone 3G was announced I was counting the days and sure to do it the second possible. There won't be 3G in Anchorage, Alaska until Jan 2009. But mostly, I am very disappointed with the new iPhone specs. I really thought they'd try to stay ahead of the game and upgrade almost everything that the phone has (32 GB storage, camera quality to 5 MP, etc). Instead, they are making it cheaper and for the masses. It's like Apple saying okay, we are not upgrading the MacBook Pros two years, we are just going to make them cheaper so everyone can have a MacBook Pro. I don't think the faithful Apple crowd would be so happy...
I am shocked with some of your comments that text messaging is an extra $5 on top of $30? I will be greatly disappointed if that is true. Overall--so far, I've been happy with AT&T and I love my iPhone. I have increased my cell bill from $60/month to over $100 just for the iPhone. But with these new charges? It seems like it's overpriced by quite a bit.

[lupus]

It is interesting how this is so much more of a question for the US than it is in the UK (makes a change!). In the UK, the deal with O2 is much better - same pricing plans (which have been doubled since the launch anyway), but the cost of a replacement has plummeted, and O2 has even introduced a new cheaper basic plan. Oh, and the signups are only 18 months.

The old basic contract of £35/month (~$70) including taxes gives you 600 bundled minutes, 500 texts and unlimited data (wifi and 3g). On this contract the upgrade price of the phone is £99 (~$199). So same cost for contract that you already have, just the upgrade cost to consider. (Other rates shown at http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone/paymonthly )

However, (and this is where it gets interesting for you guys in the US), O2 are going to offer a PAYG option (Pay as you go) with no contract. They haven't announced the price yet, but it seems likely to be the unsubsidised cost of the handset (http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone/paygo). Once the phones have been jailbroken, what is to stop people in the US buying a PAYG O2 handset and then putting it on whichever network you like?

I foresee quite a market developing for these with people importing jailbroken phones to sell on in the US market.

For AT&T, they might find that globalisation still offers them competition, regardless of the deal they have signed with Apple.

There again, people in Europe have long been bemused by the mobile price plans commonly paid by people in the US.

[Ryukyu]

Anybody know if the 3G iPhone is supposed to get better reception? Maybe a bigger antenna due to the plastic back?
That's really my only quibble with the current one.