Comments on: The iPhone arrives tomorrow: I don’t like it already.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:16:10 +0000

It's not about worse value, it's about how much you're paying, and how much you're wasting. A new phone when it comes out always costs too much - you always get loads of people paying this premium price (it's what the networks want you to do), then after a couple of months the price drops. Eventually, it's all about penetration pricing, and targeting a specific segment.

My view on it, is that the iPhone doesn't seem to do a lot of that, and that's because it's not competing. No other network has it, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of companies creating any rivalry. Due to this, the iPhone can be priced as high as it is, whether or not it is good or bad quality.

As for the N95 - was there was much buzz about it?
And also, I wouldn't buy that either.

Samantha.

By: juliancooling

juliancooling — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:11:07 +0000

I suspect that you are in between markets right now. Any phone that suited your usage 6 months ago will quickly be way too limited in the information rich life at university (with ubiquitous WiFi). Sundenly in six months' time a small window onto the internet will be a godsend and money will become more available (and plans will be more affordable).

Where you are, right now, I believe you when you say that the iPhone is a very heavy waste of space. In a year's time it may be great. Right now something light and disposable to ring and test friends is what you want.

I am really enjoying your rants – a 16 year old who is content with the world quite frankly has their eyes shut. I am not content with the world either but I can use my money and skills to address it – to the point that I have been missing some big things out there. Thank you.

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:54:31 +0000

Arguing about the cost of any Apple device seems really strange. They differentiate themselves according to all sorts of criteria but cost isnt one of them.

By: Ben Smith

Ben Smith — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:31:22 +0000

Fair comment – but higher cost does not equal worse value. I need a

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:10:46 +0000

Guess you haven't looked at iPhone resale values on eBay …

I do understand your need to be on a budget for your phone contract, but I think you missed something in your assessment. 150 quid is the purchase price of the iPhone. Do you know what you'd have to pay out of you were buying a phone so that you can use it on PAYG?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:07:30 +0000

Well at least we know where you stand before you pick it up

By: smstextnews

smstextnews — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:18:12 +0000

How do you like them apples, Mr Smith?

By: Samantha

Samantha — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:49:59 +0000

By: James Burland

James Burland — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:32:26 +0000

The iPhone is a fun device, but most of that fun comes from using it as a TV (BBC iPlayer), a radio (again BBC, but also Tuner, a cool Internet radio app), for music playback, Web browsing and gaming (I recommend Bejeweled, Bubble Bash and CritterCrunch).

Based on your previous posts and your general phone usage I'm not convinced that you'll like the iPhone. However, if you start using it as more of a supplement to your regular PC and less like a 3200 you may find that there is quite a bit to like.

One other thing... I know it sounds dead boring - and yes the video is kind of cheesy - but Apple's iPhone introduction video is the best way to learn many of it's functions;

http://www.apple.com/iphone/guidedtour/

By: Ben Smith

Ben Smith — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:30:29 +0000

I appreciate you're tasked with giving a teenager's perspective so I'm not saying you're wrong, but amongst me and my colleagues (who I assure you are not the mega-rich rock star types we obviously come across as in the podcast!!!) a

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:22:14 +0000

Its free on