This has been the same situation for nearly *any* phone for the past several years. 3 years ago I was looking at phones and the 'list price' of almost all were $299-$499, with 'rebates' of $100-$400 if you signed a 2 year agreement for at least $39/month. That's a minimum of $950+ for 2 years, when the actual *cost* of the phone (parts/labor/shipping) was likely under $50. Yes, R&D, etc. but this issues this article (rant?) brings up are hardly new.
And prepaid generally costs more per minute than the monthly contract rates, so you're sort of screwed either way.
Hear hear, you got it exactly right, if I hear the preliminary prices for the G1 and the iPhone (at least in the Netherlands) than it is a very pricy phone for something that isn't all that sophisticated. If i could buy the phone and use a prepaid i would certainly take that option but for now....i think i have an old nokia in a box at home and I'll keep up using that ;-)
Belinda
· 1 year ago
With that said that is why I would rather stick with my regular cell instead of a high advanced one!
Conor
· 1 year ago
Agreed! I've actually gone back to prepaid for a bit, in between contracts, and while I love the freedom, lack of data plans is killing me. =/
Emily Williams
· 1 year ago
And this is part of the reason I don't have an iPhone. Here in Chile the same 2-year contract is required - at prices similar to the US ($70/month), which is a lot considering salaries are much lower! I may still be swayed, but at the moment I'm sticking with my 3-year old basic Nokia.
Michael
· 1 year ago
You could always pay the $600 to get the iPhone 3G without the contract. I don't think there is a single phone sold right now that actually forces you to sign a contract, you can usually pay more upfront for the phone so you don't have to get into a contract.
tiffany
· 9 months ago
this is tru but im more concern will u be able to stick a prepaid card into to it i want the iphone or g1 but it only comes with contract but i hear the iphones can be bought up front and have unlocked inorder to use as a prepaid not im not sure wats up if the g1 does the same but id be damned if i paid upfront for the phone and it doesnt take a prepaid card in it :(
Jason
· 1 year ago
This article hit it right on the nail. If all you need is text messaging and voicemail than you'll save a ton with prepaid unless your using over 1000 minutes a month
mysapce
· 1 year ago
personally, I'D take my pre-paid phone back and go home :-)
prepaid
· 6 months ago
Right on! We should make noise about this issue as consumers.
From what I've dug up in the forums, there's a way to use the G1 without data plan or even prepaid. Just have to pop in a t-mobile SIM card with data plan to get past the google setup, then turn on wifi and turn off google auto-sync. Pop in another non-data or prepaid SIM card and voice/text will work like any phone, and data will have to use the wifi. This gets you a cool smartphone without being locked into the monopoly-like pricing of their data contracts. Hope the newer android phones coming out will be less tied to the google carriers.
John
· 6 months ago
Yeah, I looked into the G1 originally, but forced data and no prepaid angered me. I currently have a Motorola Q on Verizon, but plan to switch to the T-Mobile Dash on prepaid after my contract is up next year. So, if you want a powerful pda smartphone, why not try Windows Mobile? I did, and love it. I compared it to the iPhone's software and Windows Smartphones have more power and capability, as well as longer battery life. In my opinion Windows Phones are the best way to go, plus you can get MS Office Mobile pretty cheap on them too. (Or do what I did and find a free clone of it. LOL.)
All Comments
And prepaid generally costs more per minute than the monthly contract rates, so you're sort of screwed either way.
http://apps.faceboom.com/rawclix
From what I've dug up in the forums, there's a way to use the G1 without data plan or even prepaid. Just have to pop in a t-mobile SIM card with data plan to get past the google setup, then turn on wifi and turn off google auto-sync. Pop in another non-data or prepaid SIM card and voice/text will work like any phone, and data will have to use the wifi. This gets you a cool smartphone without being locked into the monopoly-like pricing of their data contracts. Hope the newer android phones coming out will be less tied to the google carriers.