Would you buy a new or refurbed 3G or 3GS iPhone, instead of an iPhone 4 today, if initial cost or jailbreaking wasn't a

[deckeda]

My dad bought one Friday at a retail AT&T store. Don't yet know if it's a 3G or 3GS. It's his first smartphone ever, not even so much as a Palm PDA in his past. So it's way better and certainly "good enough for him" and will offer way more than he'll use.

I get that, but is it smart money spent? In the long run of a 2-yr contract and with iP4's advantages, I don't think so.

I've not been successful in explaining why the new model is a better device. From everything I'd read it sure seems to be, but maybe I'm wrong. And no, he's not left-handed.

He's been "reading on the Internet" why the older models are better. Antennagate? No, something about how the roundedness is better than the "sharp edges" of the new one.

"Dad, Apple will give you a rounded-edge case for free …"

In times like this it's best that I pause and take a deep breath before responding, because sometimes the collective "we" don't always treat family as well as we should.

I want him to be happy, sure, so I want to know what about the older design should actually make him happier?

[bhaveshp]

Only aspect of the older design that may be better would be durability. I think the glass back is more prone to breaking than the plastic back.

Otherwise all other aspects of the new phone ate much improved. Despite antennagate, the new one holds a signal much better. The screen is much more readable.

The battery is at least 30% longer lasting. And the speed improvements are nice with multitasking.

For $99 extra, it's a easy choice for most

[davester]

Definitely not. The iPhone 4 is a much better phone in so many ways. The $100 extra is a pittance considering the cost of the contract so it makes no sense at all to buy a 3g or 3gs.

[Ken Sp.]

And at the end of the 1 or 2 years, the resale value will likely make up a lot. if not all of the price difference.

[Kiva]

iphone 4 for sure. The speed alone makes it worth it.

[jdc]

yeah, dont go back.

he got a 3GS, fwiw, no more 3G for sale.

Odds are he will be fine -- but I wouldnt be.

[space-time]

jdc wrote:
...
he got a 3GS, fwiw, no more 3G for sale.
...

could be a 3G refurb?

[decay]

AT&T's site still has 3Gs for sale, along with 3GS.

the prices are pretty low, starting at $49.

[deckeda]

I think it's a 3GS — it's got the Compass app. Wasn't that hardware functionality 3GS-only? Anyway, doesn't matter. The email I sent him with the laundry list of iP4 advantages will either convince him or not.

[Rolando]

In the life of the contract, $100 extra is negligible.