Any iPhone experts out there?

[donahue]

Ok, so my daughter wants an iPhone to replace her existing phone, which is broken. All she wants it for, is for making calls, texting and the iPod functionality. I want to get an iPhone off eBay, or similar site, but am a bit confused as to what exactly I should be looking for. Since we already have AT&T, I don't think I need to buy and unlocked phone. There are 2G, 3G and 3GS iPhones available, but I'm not sure if an existing AT&T sim card will fit in which model.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ray

[flason]

AT&T has refurbed 3G's for $50.

[rooftop59]

AT&T has refurbed 3G's for $50.

+1

Perfect route to go, especially for your daughter. This way you don't have to worry about sketchy dealers or used phones. When you buy the phone from ATT (buy it online) it will come shipped with a sim card in it (they are not supposed to be removable). The 3G can do everything she wants and more. I have one and love it. However, if she wants to carry a lot of music on it, you might pony up for the 16 gb model which is 99 refurb.

If she really only wants it for calling, texting, and music, you might want to look at other phones. You have to pay an extra 30 bucks a month for the data plan if you have an iphone, which you would not have to pay with some other phones that will also text and play music well. I cannot recommend a alternate phone however, someone else will have to chime in. Good luck!

[xj4094dg]

Wait for 4G.

[donahue]

The refurb from AT&T requires both a new 2 year contract as well as the $30/month data plan. I was trying to avoid both. I just want to take the sim card out of her existing phone and put it in an iPhone that I purchase off eBay or buy used from someone.

[Willow]

The refurb from AT&T requires both a new 2 year contract as well as the $30/month data plan. I was trying to avoid both. I just want to take the sim card out of her existing phone and put it in an iPhone that I purchase off eBay or buy used from someone.

You can do that. If the phone is unlocked you can use it from any carrier.

[rooftop59]

OK, you can go that route but you have to jailbreak the phone and replace the sim card. This is not for the technological faint at heart, and could possibly brick the phone. Here are a couple of links to get you started:

http://www.maclife.com/article/how_to_remove_the_iphone_sim_card

http://www.appleiphonereview.com/iphone-tutorials/iphone-jailbreak/

Good luck!

[bobman1235]

If you don't get the unlimited data plan I promise you you're going to get NAILED with your first bill on data overages. No matter how much she says she won't use it... it's so integrated that i's impossible NOT to use it.

[cstmar01]

the only thing though too is watch out. if your getting an iphone and she wants to use the internet on it, your going to have to pay for the service (normally) so depending on what she is doing and decides to go on the net (in a non wi fi area) your probably going to get charged.
I have an iphone 3GS and think its like the 32 gig one or whatever. good phone, buy a case though too as they don't like to be dropped, not even once.

[Willow]

the only thing though too is watch out. if your getting an iphone and she wants to use the internet on it, your going to have to pay for the service (normally) so depending on what she is doing and decides to go on the net (in a non wi fi area) your probably going to get charged.
I have an iphone 3GS and think its like the 32 gig one or whatever. good phone, buy a case though too as they don't like to be dropped, not even once.


I was thinking of doing the same for my Itouch as they are so easy to drop and break.

[nebborjk]

I recently purchased a used iphone 3G for my daughter off ebay. Jailbreaking and Unlocking takes all of 5 minutes using the blackra1n software. I'm not sure how anyone could screw up this process it's so easy. I don't have a data plan for her phone. She uses the home wifi connection for internet access. When she out of range for the wifi she's SOL.

[bobman1235]

Blackra1n does not work for the most recent (3.1.3) version of the iPhone firmware, and jailbreaking is considerably more difficult. Last I checked there were issues with unlocking newer firmwares as well.

[nebborjk]

Your correct. Blackra1n only works with v3.1.2.

[Toxis]

And blackrain didn't work when I did the 3.1.2 upgrade but I found a different method. Just research everything. Find other ways to get the phone on 3.1.2 or even 3.1.3 unlocked and jailbroken. It's not hard either way. I have a 8gb 2g on tmobile and love it. No data plan, wifi is everywhere, and it's a lot better phone than most. Do it, she'll love you forever. But then You'll want one.

[greg2350]

and it's a lot better phone than most.

Used to be alot better phones than most I can name many that are out now that well just are alot better than the iphone for many reasons. My brother has a 3gs and my sister has the samsung Memoir, I played with both for 30 minutes the memoir hands down was a much better phone in every way. There was nothing I liked about the iphone that was better than the memoir not to mention the 8.0 megapixel camera on the memoir. Let me save you a reply yes I know its a personal taste.:)

[Toxis]

True but by "most" and you bring one phone as an example... I said MOST. I'd still take it over most android phones just due to the flexibility of accessories. Find me another phone that can be used as an MP3 player with a direct plug to my OEM Honda radio or a docking station I can use at my work (I work in home theater). All the android fans have to bring in a mini to RCA cable. No thanks.

[bobman1235]

Haha, that's kind of amusing. "Find another phone that uses a proprietary jack that has been widely used; all other phones use a standard non-proprietary jack. Rubes!"

[mdaudioguy]

I've had my iphone for a year. We have a love/hate relationship. :)/:mad: