It’s no secret that iPhones (and the various ilk of smart phones) are popular tech gadgets. I tend not to be an early adapter of technology. When iPhones first came out in January 2007, I thought they were cool, but never felt a deep desire to buy one.
So I’ve made it through almost three years since iPhone’s debut (and watched scores of friends and acquaintances jump on the iPhone train), but now, I’ve been bitten by the iPhone bug. And I think I know why.
One of my good friend, “Ellen”, recently got an iPhone. But why would Ellen’s purchase affect me when I was so unaffected by the purchases of other peers?
A wholly unscientific examination of my thought process shows that Ellen is a greater influence because she 1. is down-to-earth, 2. is very good with her personal finances, 3. considers big purchases carefully before making the move, and 4. just got an iPhone.
In my mind, then, if the iPhone is deemed necessary and worth the money by someone as financially savvy and practical as Ellen, it must be necessary and worth the money. Ellen’s purchase just elevated iPhone from a “nice fun gadget” to a “necessary product” in my subconscious. Hence my sudden wanting for the iPhone.
The more I think about it, the more I’ve convinced myself that an iPhone (or a smart phone) is not a luxury but a necessity (which, of course, it is not. At least not in my present situation). It’s funny – a few years ago I would’ve never thought it vital to have internet access everywhere, but now I can think of a thousand reasons why it’s essential that I can check for directions or nearby restaurants or email out on the road.
Just like before the invention of the cell phone, people got along fine having answering machines and landlines, but after cell phones came along we can’t imagine how we ever lived without it. If I accidentally leave my cell phone at home while I’m out, I always worry about who might be trying to get in touch with me.
The more technology can do, the more we realize we need.
Figuring out the source of my sudden iPhone-fever doesn’t diminish it completely. But I’m resisting, for now. Perhaps in a year or two, when there are more carrier availability and the prices go down a little…
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I went through the same thought process as you, but I caved and got my husband one for his birthday (and uh, me too). While it’s an additonal expense and definitely not a necessity, I was able to adjust in other ways, and it has been sooo helpful to have. I tell myself I am saving money every time I use it to do price comparisons when in a store
I too resisted the siren song of the iPhone until last week. I got a new contract and iPhone because I now receive 20% off my monthly cell phone bills with AT&T. I a am careful with my money but decided to buy this one toy since I don’t have a music player. It has been really useful! Today I would have gotten lost in SF and would not have known where to eat were it not for the nifty apps on the phone. I was also able to email people to meet up with, since I didn’t have their phone numbers. I used to vow never to pay for a cell phone (I’d get the free-with-contract ones), texting plans, data and whatnot, but so much for that vow.
Oh, the slow but sure creep of technology that I “need.” >_<
I continuously have those same feelings about the iPhone. However, I have a family plan of 4 cell phones with Sprint that I pay $83 a month for. Besides breaking my contract, I find it difficult to justify spending so much a month for any iPhone plans. A few months ago I added texting to our cell plan but the cost was only $5/month. I guess I have such a major problem with cell phones is because whenever I look at my monthly expenses, I don’t like how “wants have become needs.” I still believe in the core food, shelter, clothing, and transportation needs, but being in the 3rd stage of personal finance, it is difficult to find that balance between saving for the future and enjoying life in the now. As much as I hate paying for tv, cell, and high speed internet, I do enjoy having them add to my quality of life.
I have never been a fan of the iphone, but I did jump on the blackberry train, and now can’t imagine my life without internet anytime I need it. I also use the gps function, which is great when I don’t have an actual gps with me. I could go on and on about all of the practical applications, and smart phones are just fun in general.
When I got my iphone it only increased my bill about $25 per month, plus the cost of the phone. It’s definitely a fun thing to have, but I know it’s not a necessity. It does help me keep up with my google reader when I’m not at home and you can find a million “useful” apps. However, I just like it because it makes me feel hip. Not a very good reason, but a reason, right?
I feel the same way as Stacking Cash. I have Sprint also, and I pay 40/month for my phone bill. I have often considering going to a smartphone, but I don’t want to justify the expense, and my phone is still in good shape after a few years. When my phone breaks, I will reevaluate, but for now, I just can’t do it.
Samsung Eternity – looks like an iPhone, feels like an iPhone (actually a touch lighter), works like an iPhone. A penny at Amazon and data plan for $10-15/month (through AT&T).
I’m a Mac person and still couldn’t justify an iPhone’s monthly cost, but this was a great solution to the iPhone-envy.
My b/f was an early user of the iPhone (he bought his on the very first day the first model came out in June 2007) and has loved it ever since. He now has a 3G and he is always using it to check Facebook, play Scrabble, use GPS, check e-mail, and surf the web. Even after 2 years of this, I find it a little irritating at times, but I do also have some iPhone envy. As others have said though, I still can’t justify paying more for a data plan and as I have a desk job, the only time I don’t have internet access is when I’m commuting. And besides, as b/f already has an iPhone, I already benefit from it when we’re together as I often borrow his phone.
I have an iPhone and I do think want you have it, you start justifying the costs, but I can remember when I didn’t have it and how much fuller my wallet was.
It does make your life a bit more convenient by being connected all the time in a world that is turning towards the internet (blogging, twitter, Facebook, etc), but I would just stop there: convenience.
I have it a bit easier than most because I’m on a family plan so my portion of the bill is just the data plan plus the $10 extra phone charge. The data plan increases when you’re on singular plan as well as the cost for the base minutes per month.
After all this doom and gloom talk (lol!), I would recommend you go to an Apple store. Play with the phone for a while. If you like it, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give yourself a gadget that you’ll enjoy on a daily basis.
My iPhone is not a necessity, but I love it and I genuinely think it makes my day-to-day life more convenient and fun. Yes, I’ve caved to materialism. Sue me.
I know Sprint has a bad rap, but have any of you all on here heard of the Sprint SERO plan, now called and referred to as the “Everything Plus” plan?
It is now $60 a month (used to be $30) and it includes everything you need in terms of data and 500 minutes a month. And now that plan includes Sprints “Any Mobile, Anytime” –meaning you can call any cell phone on any carrier for free without using minutes — and mobile-to-mobile is included as well (which no longer matters with Any Mobile, Anytime). If you get a Blackberry, this plan includes your BIS service to get on the internet as much or as little as you want.
If you Google this, you’ll find the information you need to get on this plan. If you need help or are interested just Twitter me, I don’t work for Sprint, but I’m a firm believer in saving money wherever you can. (Direct msg me on Twitter–”jmcavalieri”)
Your post got me thinking. Wasn’t life a bit more ‘human’ before the iphone and other smartphones? Just the other day, while waiting for my car to be serviced, I made small talk with a few nice people. I noticed a guy who spent the entire time texting or surfing the net on his iphone. Now I know it’s nice to have distractions while waiting (I try to read something) but maybe we’re missing out on human connections or flirtations because we’re too busy being connected with those we already know and updating Twitter or Facebook.