Whither The iPhone 4G?

The (Likely) iPhone 4G

Yesterday, Gizmodo posted a teardown of the potential iPhone 4G, revealing an updated exterior and a plethora of new features, such as a front-facing camera and a better still camera with a flash.  It also has a larger battery and possibly a higher resolution display.  The announcement is expected in late June with a release date shortly thereafter.

Obviously, this begs the question: Do I get the new iPhone?

I currently have an iPhone 3G[s] and had an iPhone 3G before that.  I live in New York City and am fully familiar with the general shoddiness and unreliability of AT&T’s network.  Ask yourself whether you like your coverage.  Are you on AT&T?  Are you happy with AT&T’s service?  If so, this is a bit of a moot point.  If you live in New York City or San Francisco, this is a big deal.

Are you on T-Mobile?  T-Mobile and AT&T both use GSM and some people have been known to jailbreak iPhones and run them successfully on T-Mobile.  If this is you (and you don’t mind paying full price for the iPhone), then maybe you should give the iPhone a spin.

How much time is left on your contract?  I also have a goodly amount of time left on my contract so any decision has to factor in the ETF.  This can be up to $175, especially given that Verizon instituted a smartphone surcharge on its ETFs.  If you’re near the end of a contract, either wait a couple of months or eat the fee.  If not, you may be paying a $100+ premium.

Have you had an iPhone before?  Did you like it?  If you have an iPhone and, like me, have had one for a few years, then you have a hefty library of apps.  I’ve got a good amount of paid apps that I like.  A lot.  Switching to another phone means saying goodbye to your apps.  And buying new apps on your new phone.  Of course, if you’re a free app kind of person, it’s not that big of a deal.  The new iPhone OS (OS4) is going to have some new features but, it’s pretty much the same as before.  Yes you can organize your apps and put up your own wallpaper.  But you’re still pinching and zooming and shaking and swiping.

Do you have an iPhone or an iPhone 3G?  If yes and you want to stay, then by all means.  Chances are you are out of contract (or will be) and will be eligible for “new customer” price.  $500 for a 64GB iPhone 4G isn’t a bad deal if you can get it.

Are there any other phones out there you like?  HTC is shaping up to be a contender against Apple’s juggernaut.  Personally, I am waiting with bated breath to find out whether the HTC Legend is coming to AT&T.  If it is, I’m going to use an upgrade credit for it.  If not, my choice is between the HTC Desire and the upcoming iPhone, with the iPhone favored to win that choice.

Ultimately, it comes down to whether you’re an iPhoner or an iPhone hostage.  Do you long for life outside of Apple’s walled garden?  If you do, you probably shouldn’t be using an iPhone.  HTC has a lot of good offerings.  But, if you’re invested in the platform, musically and app-wise, and/or if you’re locked into a contract, you might want to keep your wallet closed for a bit until the iPhone 4G comes out.  Otherwise, wait until it comes out and snatch up a deal on a competing HTC handset.