We all know Valleywag is over the top. $1,237 for the true cost of the new 3g iPhone is incorrect. He doesn’t take into account only incremental costs as it’s not fair to assume you never had a cell phone before this and you were not paying anything before.
I will pay $179/yr in incremental costs and here is why:
• Unlimited data plan: I currently pay $20; now I will be paying $30 for a network 2x as fast. Net $120/yr.
• Text messages are not included in the new plan. Net $60/yr.
• Mobileme ($99/yr) will be a “nice to have”, but Funambol has already announced their sync app is ready to go for launch. Net $0/yr.
• My voice plan will not change. Net $0/yr.
• The cost of the 3g iPhone is $199. I have a bid on my 2g for $200. Even If I do decide on the 16gb, I shouldn’t count that because I have 8gb more of portable storage. Net -$1.
It obviously will be different for other people. If you are switching from another service provider that cost could increase by a pretty hefty amount. I also understand that FamilyTalk plans are being forced into higher rates as well. This same thing happened with the 1st generation iPhone as well…people are still amazed to find out I only pay $70/mo for service (which is $12 more than what I was paying for a SLVR) because rumors were flying around saying it would cost $120/mo just for service alone.
