Thinking of Getting a 3G

[RickTaylor]

I'm currently a Palm Treo user, but my phone has been buggy, crashing, and I'm about ready to upgrade; I already have an account with Cingular/AT&T. Now the trouble is my contract doesn't expire until the end of July, and it costs an extra $200 to get a 3G before then.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows a way around that. Alternatively, I'm looking at iphones on craig's list. Many of them are unlocked, but I assume I don't need one, since I already use AT&T. Would an unlocked phone have any disadvantages though? Or would it be like any other iphone if I took it to the AT&T store and asked them to put in a SIM card for my account?

Thanks for your help.

[dooozie]

Rick, I was in the same boat. My contract didn't expire for a year and a half, and I would have had to pay $200 to buy it out. My son got me an unlocked iphone on eBay. (You have to get an UNLOCKED phone) I simply moved my sim card from my other phone to the iphone. I then had to register it online so they can charge you the extra $$$ each month, but otherwise I have not had to pay the $200 to buy out the contract. I am thrilled with my iphone - it works great and, ATT is happy for my business and all is well.

[CarlyLyon]

depending on how much you have lefton your contract you would be able to cancel it and they would just prorate the remainder of your termination fee with what you have left... Also you could get an unlocked phone but you dont get the 1 year warranty that would prove useful if your iphone were to ever crap out

[RickTaylor]

Originally Posted by dooozie

Rick, I was in the same boat. My contract didn't expire for a year and a half, and I would have had to pay $200 to buy it out. My son got me an unlocked iphone on eBay. (You have to get an UNLOCKED phone) I simply moved my sim card from my other phone to the iphone. I then had to register it online so they can charge you the extra $$$ each month, but otherwise I have not had to pay the $200 to buy out the contract. I am thrilled with my iphone - it works great and, ATT is happy for my business and all is well.

I'm nervous about getting an unlocked phone, as something bad may happen to it during an update. When I spoke with the AT&T rep, they said that any used iphone would work, and that it didn't have to be unlocked (unless of course I wanted to use it with a different company). It's hard to be certain.

[dooozie]

I was told that it had to be unlocked to activate it on my ATT account. I was also told that you have to have a "jail broke" phone to use it with other carriers. You may want to look into it.

[CarlyLyon]

dont get unlocked unless you dont care about eating the price if it breaks... WAIT for 3gs but im probably too late on that... hope it all worked out

[Shane Watson]

It is pretty much sure about jail braking. If you have done that, you should not face any problem. But I have heard that some times the unlocked phones give problems. So, about that I cant tell you for sure.

[rickymrtn93]

It's great to know that finally you came to select a 3g. 3g is a great phone to use. I sure your are going to like it by all of it's features. Enjoy.