Apple is preparing to announce a new phone this Fall. That means retailers will have to offer incentives of one kind or another to sell the old models. Let's keep track of changing offers from phone retailers. (Yes, my two year plan with a cell phone carrier is almost up, and I want a new iPhone.)
iphone in summer 2013
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
On June 28, Virgin Mobile is adding the iPhone 5 to the company's $30 a month "unlimited" data plan. The plan provides 2.5 GB of data downloads a month at full speed. Beyond 2.5 GB, the download speed is throttled back for the rest of the month.
The $30 a month plan includes unlimited text service, and 300 minutes of talk time. The $30 rate is available if you sign up to pay automatically each month with a credit card or bank transfer.
The Virgin Mobile prepaid plan has no contract. You can discontinue service any time.
To introduce the iPhone 5, Virgin Mobile will take $100 off the regular price. For example, an iPhone 5 with 16 GB storage will cost $550. This means your two-year cost for the iPhone 5 will be ($550 + ($30*24)) = $1270.
$1270 is not bad for a smartphone. Most smartphone plans with this large a data allowance cost more than $2000 over two years. Here's a recent article that compares plans, albeit with 4 GB of data. http://mashable.com/2013/03/26/iphone-5-rate-plans-compared/
Virgin Mobile operates on the Sprint network. That means the iPhone will be using CDMA for 3G data most of the time. Sprint's 3G service is slow, about 3/4 the speed of Verizon, 2/3 the speed of ATT 3G and half the speed of T-Mobile's 3G, according to tests by PC Magazine.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420334,00.asp
Sprint is starting the process of rolling out LTE across the country, and the Virgin Mobile phone plans can take advantage of LTE. But there are relatively few locations where Sprint LTE is currently available. Use the following link to see if Sprint has LTE service in your area.
http://network.sprint.com/
Virgin America has a 30 day, money back guarantee for equipment you purchase from the company. This gives you the opportunity to try out the phone to confirm that Sprint's coverage and service are satisfactory in the places you typically travel.
I believe the iPhone 5 sold by Virgin Mobile will be model A1429. That's the one that works with Sprint and Verizon in USA. This model doesn't work on the ATT network.
It's worth noting that Apple is expected to introduce a new iPhone this Fall. The new phone may have a bigger screen and/or faster processor.
The $30 a month plan includes unlimited text service, and 300 minutes of talk time. The $30 rate is available if you sign up to pay automatically each month with a credit card or bank transfer.
The Virgin Mobile prepaid plan has no contract. You can discontinue service any time.
To introduce the iPhone 5, Virgin Mobile will take $100 off the regular price. For example, an iPhone 5 with 16 GB storage will cost $550. This means your two-year cost for the iPhone 5 will be ($550 + ($30*24)) = $1270.
$1270 is not bad for a smartphone. Most smartphone plans with this large a data allowance cost more than $2000 over two years. Here's a recent article that compares plans, albeit with 4 GB of data. http://mashable.com/2013/03/26/iphone-5-rate-plans-compared/
Virgin Mobile operates on the Sprint network. That means the iPhone will be using CDMA for 3G data most of the time. Sprint's 3G service is slow, about 3/4 the speed of Verizon, 2/3 the speed of ATT 3G and half the speed of T-Mobile's 3G, according to tests by PC Magazine.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420334,00.asp
Sprint is starting the process of rolling out LTE across the country, and the Virgin Mobile phone plans can take advantage of LTE. But there are relatively few locations where Sprint LTE is currently available. Use the following link to see if Sprint has LTE service in your area.
http://network.sprint.com/
Virgin America has a 30 day, money back guarantee for equipment you purchase from the company. This gives you the opportunity to try out the phone to confirm that Sprint's coverage and service are satisfactory in the places you typically travel.
I believe the iPhone 5 sold by Virgin Mobile will be model A1429. That's the one that works with Sprint and Verizon in USA. This model doesn't work on the ATT network.
It's worth noting that Apple is expected to introduce a new iPhone this Fall. The new phone may have a bigger screen and/or faster processor.
Walmart has lowered its prices for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. The iPhone 4S now costs $39 (down from $90), the iPhone 5 is $129 (down from $199), as long as you sign up for a two year contract with ATT, Sprint or Verizon.
Both the iPhone 4S and 5 are ready to run Apple's new iOS 7, coming this Fall.
Advantage of iPhone 4S: Universal phone, works on GSM and CDMA networks worldwide with appropriate SIM; 8 megapixel camera
Disadvantage of iPhone 4S: slower A5 processor, no LTE support
Link to iPhone 4S
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPh...ligible-upgrade-with-2-year-contract/13082132
More complete comparison of iPhone 4S with iPhone 5
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...nces-between-iphone-5-iphone-4s-iphone-4.html
Advantages of iPhone 5: more powerful A6 processor, LTE support, larger screen, lighter weight, same camera as 4S
Disadvantages of iPhone 5: different phones for ATT and Verizon/Sprint, slightly longer
Link to iPhone 5
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPh...gible-Upgrade-or-New-2-Year-Contract/14675762
Both the iPhone 4S and 5 are ready to run Apple's new iOS 7, coming this Fall.
Advantage of iPhone 4S: Universal phone, works on GSM and CDMA networks worldwide with appropriate SIM; 8 megapixel camera
Disadvantage of iPhone 4S: slower A5 processor, no LTE support
Link to iPhone 4S
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPh...ligible-upgrade-with-2-year-contract/13082132
More complete comparison of iPhone 4S with iPhone 5
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...nces-between-iphone-5-iphone-4s-iphone-4.html
Advantages of iPhone 5: more powerful A6 processor, LTE support, larger screen, lighter weight, same camera as 4S
Disadvantages of iPhone 5: different phones for ATT and Verizon/Sprint, slightly longer
Link to iPhone 5
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPh...gible-Upgrade-or-New-2-Year-Contract/14675762
Best Buy is offering a trade-in allowance for your old iPhone 4 or 4S when you purchase a new iPhone 5 and two year contract. The value of the trade-in equals the price of the new iPhone 5, a $150 value. This promotion lasts until June 30, in store only.
This is not such a great deal if you own an iPhone 4S. A quick check of Craigslist shows prices asked for a 4S to be between $200 and $350. The iPhone 4, however, is priced closer to $150 on Craigslist. The Best Buy offer is convenient, however, and you won't need to meet a stranger in an alley to sell your phone.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Electro...In/pcmcat133600050011.c?id=pcmcat133600050011
This is not such a great deal if you own an iPhone 4S. A quick check of Craigslist shows prices asked for a 4S to be between $200 and $350. The iPhone 4, however, is priced closer to $150 on Craigslist. The Best Buy offer is convenient, however, and you won't need to meet a stranger in an alley to sell your phone.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Electro...In/pcmcat133600050011.c?id=pcmcat133600050011
AT&T is having a sale on smartphones with a new 2 year plan. Activation fees are waived, too. Among the smartphones on sale are the iPhone 4 (now $49) and the iPhone 5 (now $100). No word on how long the sale will last.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/smartphones.html
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/smartphones.html
H2O_Doc
Adventurer
Lots of aftermarket cables.