iPhone 5 vs. unlimited data
Dear Maggie,
I'm going to get a new iPhone, but I'm not sure if I should wait for the iPhone 5, or get the iPhone 4 now on Verizon Wireless in order to get the unlimited data. My friends seem to unanimously agree that Verizon Wireless has better coverage/service. So I was thinking that if they are going to eliminate their all-you-can-eat data plan, now might be the time to jump on board. I currently have an iPhone 3GS with AT&T. Are the features on the unannounced iPhone 5 likely to make it much greater than the iPhone 4 to make it outweigh the unlimited data package?
Thanks,
Joe
Dear Joe,
Most people don't use more than 2GB of data per month. So even though you may feel compelled to rush over to Verizon Wireless now for the unlimited data plan, most likely you'll be fine without it. So I wouldn't make any rash decisions just because you want to hold onto your unlimited data plan.
To answer your question regarding the iPhone 5, rumor has it that it will be announced in September. What we know so far is that the new version will look very similar to the iPhone 4. But inside there are some tweaks that will improve performance. For one, it's supposed to have a faster processor, the A5, which is the same one used in the iPad 2, and a higher resolution camera. It will also get a new camera that will be an 8 megapixel camera instead of the 5 megapixel camera on the iPhone 4.
I doubt the iPhone 5 will support 4G LTE, since Apple rarely is on the cutting edge in terms of the components it uses in its products. The new 4G LTE phones are still having battery life issues. So I am sure that Apple will want to wait until the technology matures before putting it into the iPhone. Plus, the LTE services from either AT&T or Verizon Wireless aren't widely available. Verizon Wireless says that it has 74 markets covered. But the LTE footprint won't match its 3G footprint until 2013. Meanwhile AT&T hasn't even started offering 4G LTE yet. It is supposed to be in 15 markets by the end of the year.
That said, AT&T is using HSPA+ in its network too, which is an upgrade to the current 3G technology. So it's possible that that iPhone 5 might support HSAP+ in the GSM version, which could give it a speed boost.
Of course, all of this is speculation. We won't know what features the next iPhone will have until it's announced.
So here's my advice, since you're already an AT&T customer, and you're likely already on the unlimited data plan, just wait for the next iPhone. It will be more advanced than the iPhone 4. We just don't know how much more advanced. And at that point you can decide between AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Verizon does have a better reputation in terms of its network. And unless you're a very heavy data user, you should be fine with the new 2GB cap.
I hope this helps.
Read more:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20073837-266/ask-maggie-wait-for-iphone-5-or-take-verizons-unlimited-data/#ixzz1QCYY2CAK