Macworld: What to do with an old iPhone ...

Up to Discussions in iPhone

74 Replies Last post: Sep 13, 2008 7:29 AM by turbopgt Branched to a new thread. 1 2 3 ... 5 Previous Next

Macworld

11,211 posts since
Nov 30, 2007

Aug 27, 2008 9:49 AM

What to do with an old iPhone

Post your comments for What to do with an old iPhone here

nmpike

431 posts since
Feb 13, 2004

1. Aug 27, 2008 9:55 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

I'll keep it before I sell it for $250

I have four phones, cannot part with one.

Hurley42

307 posts since
Aug 8, 2007

2. Aug 27, 2008 10:13 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

One thing people seem to forget is that a deactivated cell phone can still make 911 calls (in the U.S.). Always keep an old phone in the glovebox of your car along with a power adapter for emergencies...then sell it on eBay in 20 years to some idiot collector.

wwelsh39

23 posts since
Nov 22, 2003

3. Aug 27, 2008 10:32 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

"Once unlocked, the iPhone can be used with any carrier". I'm on Verizon Wireless but I don't think I can use an iPhone on Verizon's network.

GiandaliaJr

4 posts since
Jul 10, 2008

4. Aug 27, 2008 10:42 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

i sold my on ebay for $480. If anyone wants me to unlock their old iphone ill do it for $50

Chris Breen

3,595 posts since
Dec 11, 2000

5. Aug 27, 2008 10:47 AM

in response to: GiandaliaJr

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

GiandaliaJr wrote:
i sold my on ebay for $480. If anyone wants me to unlock their old iphone ill do it for $50

And I've got some wonderful swamp land in Florida that I'm sure you'd love.

Seriously dude, $50 when any idiot could use Pwnage for free? I hope that was a joke.

Jon Seff

1,007 posts since
Dec 13, 2000

6. Aug 27, 2008 10:48 AM

in response to: wwelsh39

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

With any GSM carrier—in the U.S., that's basically AT&T and T-Mobile.

Jon Seff - Senior News Editor, Macworld

Chris Breen

3,595 posts since
Dec 11, 2000

7. Aug 27, 2008 10:49 AM

in response to: wwelsh39

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

wwelsh39 wrote:
"Once unlocked, the iPhone can be used with any carrier". I'm on Verizon Wireless but I don't think I can use an iPhone on Verizon's network.

Sorry about that. I've updated the article to say "any GSM carrier."

daniel2828

5 posts since
Feb 18, 2005

8. Aug 27, 2008 10:59 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

So would I be able to switch out the SIM card between phones to make one or the other still usable? In which case keeping it would be the smart thing for me to do. I don't have a land line and rely daily on my iPhone. Also, the closest Apple Store is a 3.5 hour drive for me. So if I had a 3G and it needed repair or the battery replaced, the spare 2G would come in very handy.

technolawyer

74 posts since
Jun 15, 2007

9. Aug 27, 2008 11:27 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

Because I do all my reading on my iPhone and also use it as a remote control thanks to Apple's amazing Remote application, I've decided to keep mine -- and I've found that I often use it while my new 3G is charging.

Photonerd

266 posts since
Mar 31, 2005

10. Aug 27, 2008 11:39 AM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

They forgot "put it in a blender" like that one guy did... maybe we need new variations though. Microwaved iPhone? People have so much phone vanity it's nuts. That "old" iPhone is still 10x better than 95% of the other phones out there... why would you even need to ask. Pass it on to a family member or friend. Duh!

Chris Breen

3,595 posts since
Dec 11, 2000

11. Aug 27, 2008 11:43 AM

in response to: Photonerd

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

Photonerd wrote:
Duh!

Not so duh if that family member or friend is locked into another carrier's contract or AT&T doesn't provide the kind of coverage they need.

sheilanolan

188 posts since
Jul 15, 2008

12. Aug 27, 2008 12:13 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I started using my old iphone as a touch today. There's no way I'm getting rid of it until all the problems with the 3G are sorted. Plus, if my 3G packs up, I've got a backup phone.

iPhone now rules my life!

steeko

1 posts since
Aug 27, 2008

13. Aug 27, 2008 12:57 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

In the UK, customers are encouraged to give their old iPhone to family or friends - but no contract is required; just pop in a 'Pay As You Go' sim card and top up credit when needed!

CaptainJapan

14 posts since
Dec 15, 2006

14. Aug 27, 2008 1:28 PM

in response to: Macworld

Re: What to do with an old iPhone

Slightly off-topic:

I don't know if this has been discussed yet, but what happens in June 2009, when many two-year contracts expire with AT&T? Is Apple going to allow these phones to be unlocked and used elsewhere?

I unlocked my Motorola phone by calling AT&T and requesting the subsidy code. It was granted and that phone is now unlocked. By rights, if I upgrade to 3G, my 2G phone is no longer under contract. I should be able to have it legally unlocked by Apple. Am I missing something here???

Go to original post 1 2 3 ... 5 Previous Next

Go to original post

Name	City

Address 1	State	Zip

Address 2	E-mail (optional)

Aug 27, 2008 9:49 AM

What to do with an old iPhone

Actions

More Like This