iPhone and T-Mobile

[wurm]

I know, I know, but there's so much info out there, my head is spinning. And I know some folks here use an iPhone with T-Mobile, so I come to you for some advice.

My daughter has wanted an iPhone for a while now, and since she realizes she'd be crazy to jump into an ATT or Verizon plan on her own for $80/mo. when she can stick with T-Mobile for less than half that by staying on our Family Plan, we're looking at realistic options. T-Mobile even has info and instructions on their web site about using an iPhone with T-Mo, but one never knows how much of that info is just sales talk.

So, are there major downsides to using an iPhone with T-Mobile? What's going to drive her crazy, or will it be just fine? I know one thing is the speed thing, but just how bad is that? The other option is a new, subsidized Android from T-Mobile. I'm not totally against signing on for another 2 years, but an iPhone from a private party would mean we wouldn’t have to.

So what exactly would we be looking for? I don't want to resort to Craigslist or ebay, but I'm not sure what other options are out there. I know it will end up being a used iPhone, because we're not about to shell out several hundred dollars for a factory unlocked brand new model. But what is a reasonable amount to pay for a good, clean used iPhone? I'm guessing a 4 or 4S would be fine. Maybe even a 3?

Thoughts?

[sekker]

If all you get is Edge speeds, don't do it.

I know new Tmobile options are their version of 3G. That's fine.

[Ombligo]

The T-mobile experience is okay for a light user who sticks to wifi for web access. Otherwise it is a very poor shell of the iPhone/smartphone experience. It works for me because I make about 15 minutes of calls a month, send 5-10 text messages and never use data.

A better option MIGHT be Straight talk.. buy a sim card, put it in, follow some very simple online instructions to activate data - $48/month with taxes for unlimited talk/text and 2GB data from the Verizon network at 4G speed. It is what we put on my son's 4s. You do "officially" give up MMS, but there are hacks that will allow it to work too.

[mspace]

I am patient with the Edge speed I get, when I have to use it that way. Since they are going after the unlocked market, they are upgrading their towers to match the iPhone hardware. I'll be looking forward to 3G then. (NYC by beginning next year).

Other than the non-wifi slower speed, I have the same experience with the phone as anyone else.

With two 4S at $85/month, it is the most affordable option.

[Will Collier]

Check around and see if you live in one of the areas where T-M has upgraded their network to get high speed on an iPhone (heck, just call them and ask). If you do, it's a killer deal. If not, it's more "meh" at this point...

[wurm]

Well, at my insistence, she's done her research. Just as many here have noted, she has learned that it will be a compromise. As a result, she has come to the conclusion that she will probably just bite the bullet and pay the $80+/mo. for an new iPhone 4s with ATT or Verizon. I think she's crazy, but she'll be the one paying the bill.

But on a side note, today I was talking to one of my co-workers whom I know had upgraded her iPhone to a 4 last year. I asked her if she still had her old one and that I might be interested in buying it (thinking I'd check it out for my daughter). She said, "Hell, you can have it. It's just sitting on my dresser." So I may just give it a shot myself with my T-Mobile sim card and see just how bad it is.

Now I just need to research how easy/hard/impossible it's going to be to unlock an iPhone 3 for T-Mo.

[raz]

wurm wrote:

Now I just need to research how easy/hard/impossible it's going to be to unlock an iPhone 3 for T-Mo.

Downright trivial.

[Will Collier]

raz wrote:
[quote=wurm]

Now I just need to research how easy/hard/impossible it's going to be to unlock an iPhone 3 for T-Mo.

Downright trivial.
Fill out this form and AT&T will unlock it for you, via iTunes:

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/

[wurm]

Yes, I noticed that info late last night as I was searching. One small problem is that it seems I need to ask the owner to fill out the form, get the email from Apple, Backup/Restore from iTunes, etc. I was hoping I wouldn't have to trouble her for all that, and that I could deal with that after I have the phone in hand.