Many consumers use the handheld electronic device for web browsing, texting, phone calls, and numerous apps (Angry Birds, anyone?). If you’re considering buying the new iPhone, there are a number of factors to consider before investing in this popular technology.
#1: Your operator
Not all carriers are compatible with the Apple iPhone; in fact, only three major carriers in the United States are allowed to sell and support the smartphone, including Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. While this may seem like a small number of options, you should keep in mind that AT&T used to have a monopoly on the iPhone as the only carrier. If you currently have a different carrier, you should research each iPhone carrier’s service packages. Each company offers different incentives to attract customers; you should choose the best option for your personal tastes.
#2: Contracts
The iPhone is normally sold with a two-year contract; accepting the contract allows you to purchase the phone at a substantially lower price, typically starting at $199.00. However, it is possible to buy a so-called “unlocked” iPhone at a higher price to avoid the two-year contract. How much does the unlocked phone cost? It is possible to start the purchase at $649.00. Oh. Most consumers agree to the two-year contract, since they will still need the carrier to send and receive phone calls and data. Speaking of data…
#3: Service Packages
Gone are the days of a simple cell phone calling plan that would normally offer one set of minutes per month. Currently, iPhone owners need to purchase and maintain monthly service packages. These will typically include a set of monthly calling minutes, a number of text messages and data usage. In the early days of the iPhone, data usage, such as Internet browsing, was sold as an unlimited monthly charge. However, as more people jumped on the smartphone craze, cell sites became overloaded with data needs causing slow downloads and dropped signals. Cellular carriers switched their unlimited packages to a variety of different amounts of data, from the service of a rare user to a heavy download enthusiast. Naturally, the higher the chosen data usage, the more it will cost the consumer on a monthly basis.
#4: Model Type
Many cell phone carriers offer several different iPhone models, such as 3GS, 4, and 4S. Older models tend to be much cheaper than newly released versions; Please note that older models may experience software issues at some point during the two-year contract. If you can’t update your software on your old iPhone, many apps won’t work. In the long run, it’s a better decision to pay for the newer version of the iPhone to ensure Apple’s software support.
#5: Protection
The brilliant iPhone touchscreen won’t look or work right if there’s a large crack or break in the glass surface. While the phone is rugged, new owners should purchase a strong protective cover or case to house the device in the event of an accidental drop. Over the course of two years, it is best to protect the investment as much as possible.
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