Post: #1

I know iPhones used to have ridiculously expensive plans, but from I hear they've come down a lot, especially if you're willing to opt for an older phone.

I currently use a compact budget Android phone(LG Optimus) which I'm quite satisfied with.

There's really only one reason I'm considering an iPhone. That's to have Spotify on the go with a phone that has superior hardware for audio. My car's Alpine deck has a line out made specifically for Apple products and the sound is very clean when I'm playing through my regular iPod. I also have a line out to a 3.5mm jack which I use for my Android to play Spotify on the go and it sounds like shit. Both due to the crappy audio hardware of my budget unit as well as the 3.5mm line being inferior. While I'm not an audiophile per se, I really appreciate pure, clean sound so I need to upgrade soon.

I thought I could go with an iPod touch which would let me use Spotify, but then I wouldn't be able to listen to anything streaming while I'm on the go, even though I can download around 3,333 songs(Spotify's limit) for offline listening. But I like to idea of being able to just have a digital jukebox and listen to whatever I want on the go, so I can play whatever I want and not have to download everything in advance for offline listening.

My other option is to just get an iPhone and then I can use the iPod jack in my car, have clean sound as well as be able to use the service on the go and listen to whatever I want. The downside is that iPhones have costlier plans. I'm paying $45/mo right now for unlimited everything on my Android. And I really have NO other reason for considering an iPhone other than to have Spotify on the go.

I'm kinda torn between getting an iPod touch or an iPhone. The higher cost of iPhones are a turn off. Any suggestions on finding a reasonable iPhone plan? I doubt I'm going to find a $45 unlimited plan like I have with my Android.

Post: #2

Not sure how the coverage is in your area, but TMobile has $70 unlimited plans. They also have it set up where you pay about $150 up front as a down payment for an iPhone 5 and allow you to make monthly payments without interest until the phone is paid off. Obviously you can pay off the phone more quickly if you would like or pay as low as $20 a month. There's also no contract and you can cancel anytime although you have to pay the balance of the phone if its not paid off. I think the iPhone 4 is $0 upfront and $432 dollars retail, so about $18 a month for 2 yrs(interest free). And depending on who you ask, is not much of a downgrade from the 5. Can't say since I never had the 4.

Initially they had it where it was only $99 down, with monthly payments as low $20 but they have tweaked it since I took advantage of that deal.

TMobile also has the JUMP plan, which lets you upgrade your phone twice in a year for about $10 added to your bill the benefits of the plan can be seen here: http://gigaom.com/2013/07/26/battle-of-t...ght-think/

This is good if you like getting the latest and greatest sooner rather than later, especially since a company like Apple releases upgrades yearly.

Post: #3

My roommate pawned his ps3 to pay me some of the rent money he owes me(lol) and he told me there was an iPhone4 for $100 in the store.

Maybe you have a spare gym membership you could cancel so the extra money for the plan doesnt matter much. But then again, whats $25 extra a month? Thats not that much

Post: #4

(08-10-2013 04:40 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  I'm kinda torn between getting an iPod touch or an iPhone. The higher cost of iPhones are a turn off. Any suggestions on finding a reasonable iPhone plan? I doubt I'm going to find a $45 unlimited plan like I have with my Android.

Straight talk has a $45/month unlimited pre-paid plan for the iphone.

You can buy a refurbished iphone4 if you want a lower priced phone ($344.99):

In black:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-...d/27251417

In white:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Straight-Talk-...gMethod=rr

Post: #5

Just get a used one, unlock it and put a pre paid plan on it.

Post: #6

Virgin Mobile has a cheap iphone plan starting at $35.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phon.../overview/