What can I get the iPhone 4 ?

So much hype surrounds this little update from Apple, its hard to overstate the success of the product.  And this is day 1.  The product has been over-covered and over-reviewed, so I won’t attempt to give a full review just yet.  If you do want a great review, I recommend THIS ONE over at Engadget.  But, if you are up for a little editorial review, read on.

Why upgrade?

I don’t have the money to afford being an early adopter.  I typically wait for at least one generation of a new gadget to lapse and work out all the kinks.  I also am not one to buy the biggest capacity storage, largest screen, or fastest processor. I look for the best value.  Case in point: I own the 13 inch MacBook.  My hard drive went out and I actually downgraded in hard drive space to 60GB (it is a Solid State Drive, but I digress). In any case, the iPhone 4 is NOT the best value.  I don’t think anyone can argue this point.  The compelling reasons to upgrade are: Speed, screen resolution, camera, and “facetime”.  I have to admit, these are great reasons to upgrade, but ask yourself these questions:

• Is your current cell phone too slow?
• Is your current cell phone screen resolution slowing you down?
• Is your current cell phone camera producing pictures that disappoint?
• Do you currently do a lot of video conferencing? Or do you have a need to do so in the future?

For me, these questions left me thinking that my current cell phone (an iphone 3G) still has some life left in it.

The Value Proposition

My trusty, 2 year old iphone is still a joy to use (most of the time), but would I enjoy a new phone with better… well, everything?  YES!  So, like many of you, I ask – what would it cost me?

The Apple website makes it look like the new phone will set you back either $199, or $299 – but existing AT&T customers will have to check www.apple.com/iphone/buy to see where you stand.  I have pulled a couple of lines from the Apple.com website – the really small print at the bottom:

Requires new two-year AT&T wireless service contract, sold separately to qualified customers; credit check required; must be 18 or older. Existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS should check with AT&T or use www.apple.com/iphone/buy. For those who are not eligible for an early upgrade or who wish to buy iPhone as a gift, the prices are $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).

I checked my account and I am eligible for the cheaper price, but I have to renew my contract for 2 years, and in doing so, I will lose my unlimited data plan and drop back to the new policy of 2GB per month.  To keep my unlimited data plan, I would have to buy the phone at full price.

So what will you do? Will you upgrade? Can you afford it? Lave a comment and let us know.