iPhone vs. iPod Touch - My Dilemma

[ChuckAmuck]

I am on the brink of purchasing either an iPhone or an iPod Touch. Literally, I have a tab open in my Firefox browser on stand-by, just one click away from purchasing the iPhone. Before I make the final decision, I wanted to see what all of you have to say about which is better. I already have an AT&T plan, so the only extra amount I'd have to pay is the $20 per month for internet/text messaging usage. I already have a 60 GB 5th gen iPod Video, so I am not really worried about the storage space between the iPhone and iPod Touch. Based on the software and hardware capabilities alone, which one do you think I should get?

PS
This is also in the iPhone section. Please vote/comment there as well.

[ebrigm]

I'd say the iPhone is the way to go for you if you "need" a new phone and are already an AT&T customer. It has a few more capabilties, no issues with the screen and you don't need the "larger" storage capacity of the iTouch. Go get your new iPhone.:)

[ChuckAmuck]

The only reluctance I have about the iPhone is that I just bought a new Samsung SYNC phone and renewed my two-year contract about five months ago. So I guess I'd have to renew it again and sell my SYNC on eBay. Shouldn't be a big deal, right?

[Surf Monkey]

Get the real deal. Get iPhone.

[Surf Monkey]

You probably only needed one version of this thread.

That said, here's my comment from the other thread:

Get the real deal. Get iPhone.

[Bobster]

I was facing the same dilema until I thought long and hard and the choice really is an easy one - iPhone.

[ChuckAmuck]

Thanks for the replies, guys! If you could, will you please describe why you chose one over the other? Thanks again. :)

[Surf Monkey]

Pretty simple. iPod Touch is basically a cheap knock off of the iPhone... only without a phone built in. iPhone is a fully realized product. iPod Touch is a stripped down version of a fully realized product.

[angusshangus]

My wife has the phone... it is REALLY cool but 8GB isn't enough for me. That was the deal breaker (i have a 16gb touch). Also, in reality I don't really need the pda features. My wife, on the other hand, does the type of work where she is rarely in her office and needs mobile access to her email, regularly tracks her schedule with the calendar, SMS with other colleagues, uses the notepad, not to mention the phone! The music is really just an added bonus for here and video isn't her thing. I'm all about the entertainment side... music and video.

Thats how I'd decide... do you need an entertainment device or a true pda for work or school?

[espanoliPod]

i believe i saw that you do not have to renew your contract if you buy the iPhone because AT&T is not subsidizing the cost of the phone in exchange for you signing a contract. I heard this in July around iPhone release time on a Philadelphia news station. All you should have to do is pop the SIM card from your Sync in to your iPhone and add a data/texting plan onto your AT&T account. Also, you should know that before you purchase your iPhone, Apple has the remaining supply of 4GB iPhones on their website for $299, as opposed to $399 for the 8GB. If you want to save $100 and the 4GB storage difference isn't going to be a major issue for you, then you should definitely go check out that deal in the special deals section of apple.com

[espanoliPod]

In case you didn't see what I said in the other thread, check out the $299 deal for the 4GB iPhone on the apple website in the specials and clearance section. It's an awesome deal, I highly recommend it if the 4GB difference won't be an issue for you.

[Surf Monkey]

In case you didn't see what I said in the other thread, check out the $299 deal for the 4GB iPhone on the apple website in the specials and clearance section. It's an awesome deal, I highly recommend it if the 4GB difference won't be an issue for you.


That is a fantastic deal. Remember that the formatted volume of the unit is going to be a little less than 4 gig though. Personally, I think it's worth it to bump up to the 8 gig. That's enough space to work with. 4 gig is barely enough for a little music and a few photos. 8 gig is enough to fit a lot of music, some video a bunch of photos and etc.. Still, if the capacity isn't your primary concern, take espanoliPod's advice and grab that 4 gig unit.

[r6girl]

i was in a similar situation to you - i was with at&t before the iphone's release (though i was already paying for a data plan for my treo) and i also have a 60gb 5g video ipod. i was carrying both my phone and my ipod with me during my commute to work on the train. i was already set on getting the iphone when it was announced, but i still didn't picture how well it would work out for me such that i'd virtually stop using my ipod video. i really only use my video ipod attached to speakers in the bedroom, or with video out to watch a movie on the tv.

get the iphone - it will be more than you expect it to be...

[Shrimpy]

I found myself in the exact same dilema, in the end I chose the iPhone. With all the issues I heard about the touch I had to turn away. Also, the Touch just doesn't have the same "feel" as the iPhone, I dont know how to describe it really other than what other posters said. The iphone has a sense of quality to it, while the touch just kinda seems like some cheap walmart brand knockoff.

Posted with my iphone :)

[Complexis]

Get the 16GB model. Sure who cares about more features when you have less space.

[Quillz]

You probably only needed one version of this thread.

That said, here's my comment from the other thread:

Get the real deal. Get iPhone.
I agree with Surf Monkey on this one. The iPhone is the better product.

[jhollington]

The iPod touch doesn't even have hard volume buttons... :shake:

Not adding features is one thing, but I can't believe they took that one away...

So the only way to adjust your volume is via the touchscreen. :shake:

Other than the increased capacity, there is really nothing the touch has over the iPhone. I have never been this disappointed by an Apple product... :(

[ayasinsk]

If you are still unsure, read the review of the iPod touch by ilounge. Long storry short: iPhone has so many more features, you got everything you need in one device. Plus iPod touch is experiencing major touch screen problems. Just go to iPod touch forum and read around.

Get the iPhone, you'll be happy you did.

[ChuckAmuck]

Thanks a lot, everyone! Keep those votes coming! :)

[Aceon6]

Seems a no brainer to get the phone. I'm happy with Verizon, so I chose the Touch

[dskillzhtown]

Only you can make the decision for yourself, but a few things to consider:

How much music/video do you actually need to have on you at all times? I have a 5G, 30GB along with my Touch. I was shocked to see that I only was using 13GB of that iPod. I change up the music on my iPod weekly along with get new editions of podcasts daily. So, I didn't need 30GB, 80GB or 160GB. That is just overkill for me.

Do you need/want new phone? I have a Sprint Mogul that does everything I could ever ask for a phone to do, so there was no need to get a iPhone. Don't sacrifice a unit you are happy with and comfortable using just to get a iPhone.

If it were me, I probably would get the iPhone. Already being on Cingular is a plus and 8GB would be enough space for me. I could make the space work. But I must stress, the Touch/iPhone iPod interface is just amazing. I am still in awe of it. You will be happy either way.

[mini.boss]

iPhone. Mainly because it is the "real thing" and because even if you don't use it as a phone then it still has so many other features that make it a better value (volume buttons, bluetooth, camera, real apps, better screen, internal speaker, mic, classier design etc).

The iTouch is good but in a way it feels like a cheap asian copycat product that's got the look and feel right, but failed to really capture what makes the iPhone so special.

[Quillz]

Yeah, the touch lacking physical side volume buttons is a pretty big deal breaker for me.

[honeybee1236]

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[Surf Monkey]

Jobs:

“Well, one’s a phone, and one’s not. The iPod touch is training wheels for the iPhone.”

[Trax]

100$ more for phone and camera? Hell yeah!

[Surf Monkey]

100$ more for phone and camera? Hell yeah!


As if that's the only difference.

[Quillz]

100$ more for phone and camera? Hell yeah!
Don't forget that iPhone also features a real calendar, Google Maps, Weather, a camera and is far less likely to be scratched and marred up. (Especially on the back casing.)

[ChuckAmuck]

Well, everybody. I've made a purchase. The 8 GB......iPhone! I should be receiving it by Friday. I'm so excited! Thank you, everyone, for your input. It helped me a lot with solidifying my decision. :D

[Kurahoshi]

i believe i saw that you do not have to renew your contract if you buy the iPhone because AT&T is not subsidizing the cost of the phone in exchange for you signing a contract.

Anyone else heard about this? I talked to an AT&T store rep and they told me that I would need to sign a 2 year contract even though they are my current provider. They aren't subsidizing the phone, but I always figured the cheap data plan was their form of subsidy.

But I'd love to find some way to not get into another 2 year contract if anyone knows.

[jhollington]

No, you pretty much have to renew your existing contract. AT&T may not be subsidizing the phone, but they're giving kickbacks to Apple on the service, as well as having provided an uncharacteristically inexpensive data plan and back-end infrastructure improvements for things like Visual Voicemail.

The only way you can get an iPhone activated on AT&T without a two-year contract is to fail the credit check and be offered a GoPhone plan. This is unlikely, however, if you're already a contract customer.

[deftdrummer1]

Or you could unlock it with one of the new programs that are coming out. I was in the same boat that you were. I had AT&T service on a plan that I got just 4 months earlier. I just figured that in the long run my fun with the iphone would negate 4 measly months of service. Besides, not many people that I know or have talked to really switch their cell company at the end of a 2 year contract but rather, get a new phone and stay locked in.

I ended up opting for the 4GB iphone and I am kinda kicking myself, but then again, syncing makes less storage less of an issue. Total capacity comes to 3.5GB of usable space.