Considering iPhone Need Help

First off I have Verizon and currently have an LG EnV3 that nobody in their right mind would envy. The only thing I can say about this phone is that its been through hell and back and still works. Its fallen in a pond with me and been dropped more times than I can count. I'm due an upgrade in August so I've started considering what I want. I don't have a data plan right now and would be paying the difference in the bill (18 and parents pay it right now). So I have a few questions:

1. Is the iPhone the best smartphone that Verizon offers? I have a MacBook Pro and an iPod touch and love both. It seems like the iPhone is the most user friendly touchscreen.

2. Do any of you with the iPhone regret it because it's a touch screen? I'm worried about touching a screen with dirty hands. I hunt and fish and love being outside so my hands aren't always that clean. If I got an iPhone I would definitely get a screen protector.

3. What is the most durable, protective case out there for the iPhone 4. Not having a case to protect my next phone is not an option. My EnV3 has not been taken care of and saying its been abused is not a stretch. If I get the iPhone I will do my best to baby it but its going to get dropped and the idea of replacing a cracked screen doesn't appeal to me. The majority of my friends with touchscreens have cracked them. So far I've found 2 cases that I'm interested in but if you know of more I would appreciate some opinions. Here are the 2 most durable looking I've found so far:

The Otterbox Defender Series http://www.otterbox.com/iPhone-4-Defender-Series-Case/APL2-I4XXX,default,pd.html?dwvar_APL2-I4XXX_color=20&start=1&cgid=apple-iphone-4-cases

Ballistic Hard Core Series http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/verizon-iphone-4-ballistic-hc-series-case

 

ok first i just kind skipped thru it and read bits and pieces. i i had orange env a few years ago i droped it in a mud hole wiped it off and it still worked fine. i could not brake it till i stepped on it with crutches. lol. and than env touch last phone i had. till like 3 weeks ago. i got the iphone 4. (i pay my bill.) but we have not got the bill (on the same plain as mom) so when we do i will tell you what the bill maybe.
if i was you i would get iphone 5. comes out in august maybe 1st week in september.

 

Otterbox Defender for the iPhone. Toughest case I have ever seen, just ordered an Otterbox for my Blackberry. Don't waste time with other brands. And definitly don't buy it from Otterbox, go hit up Amazon. The case I just bought I paid $14.99 for and it sells for $45 most other places.

iPhones are awesome. Once you jailbreak 'em they are practically computers. IMHO, best Smartphone out there without a doubt.

 

If you like your iPod touch, you basically know how the iPhone will work. It is the same software.

Don't worry about it being a touch screen, no issues with fingerprints or anything like that. However, just don't drop it. With the iPhones screen being glass, it will break. I was with my friend, he dropped his out of his hand, shattered the screen. I have dropped my Droid Incredible more times that I can count and have never had an issue.

The biggest downside to the iPhone right now, it won't use Verizon's LTE, which is crazy fast.

Good luck with your choice.

 

Depending on what you're looking for as far as features go, the iPhone is probably your best bet. Easiest interface, best app store, really is one of the best smart phones on the market feature for feature. X 2 for the otterbox. They have a great warranty for their cases too. I mangled mine pretty good and they sent me a free replacement. My iPhone is on AT&T so I can't help you with what your bill might be. I switched to the iPhone when the first version of it came out and other then a brief 3 week fling with a blackberry bold I haven't looked back!

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any more info on the iPhone 5 and its availability with Verizon? I don't know anything about the LTE service but will the 5 be able to run on that?

My main concerns are dropping it but the Otterbox looks like it might be forgiving if that happens. I'm also worried about accidental damage while in my pocket from having the screen facing outward and something hitting it. I guess I'll just have to be very careful with it. No case will prevent that from happening.

 

iphone 5 will be when it come out! and from what i know it WILL be 4G! i would have waited but my phone would not have lasted till than with out me braking it. i.e throwing it at the drive way as hard as i could and running it over with my truck. i could never use it when it was charging.

i could not be happier than i am now with the 4. and if you have an i pod and itunes you can put some of the music you have on it on you'r phone. i have the 16g by the way.

and on the screen have it face you'r body and the back side face out (away from you) that what i do allot of times.

 

Thanks. Anybody think the 32G is worth the extra $100 or is the 16G sufficient? And I always try to keep the screen facing towards my body but shit happens man.

Can you preorder the iPhone 5 yet? I'm guessing I probably should if I want to get it when it comes out.

Oh and I just thought about this. Do I have to wait until I'm due an upgrade if I'm upgrading my service to an unlimited data plan? I'm guessing when I do that I will be renewing a 2 year contract so shouldn't I be able to get the new contract/upgrade price?

 

16GB has been fine for me. However, if you plan on doing a lot of video and leaving it on your phone for a while, you need to get 32GB. It will also help the resale value. The resale is AMAZING. People are crazy for used iPhones. I had the 3G for two years. Paid $200 for it and, when I upgraded to the iP4, the upgrade was $160 and I sold the 3G for $300!!!

Remember .... the iPhone 5 will be coming out this fall. They usually come out in July but, for some reason, this year it will be October or Nov. If your current phone is working, it might be worth the wait!!!

I've always carried my iPhone in my front pocket with no screen protector but I have a iSkin case on it. I've dropped if a few times (never into water) and it hasn't broken.

Cheers.

 

The iPhone can handle a few drops quite well, so long as you don't drop it right on the screen. The Otterbox is damn tough, I'm sure it'll hold up to anything you'll throw at it.

 

Your screen will be fine as far as dirt with a screen protector. I have a Droid X myself but I'm always using it when I'm out on the boat fishing so it gets pretty dirty but as long as you have a screen protector you should be fine. Verizon is also dropping their unlimited data plans as well.

 

Otterbox defender case FTW! I love mine and it is practically indestructible unless you runi it over. I also have the commuter case for the work week, then switch out to the defender for the weekend.

 

What do you mean when you say they are dropping their unlimited plan? I'm not interested in paying for every second of service I use. I've got screwed a few times from hitting their "browser" by accident without a data plan. They round up after like 3 times and charge you. I ended up getting that cut off so its not possible to do after it happened a few months in a row

 

i just got one and absolutely love it
i actually switched from an enV3

i work at a machine shop and i dont worry about it getting dirty

i have a shield brand screen protector and a incipio case around it, it holds up very well, the otter box as stated before are indestructible.

they have a 450 min with unlimited anything else
one with 900 and one with unlimited

i have the 450 min per month and with insurance and no wifi hotspot it costs me 160 so that might be able to get you a price range, though it is the only phone on the plan and may be cheaper on a family plan

 

Holy shit man. 160 for 1 line?!? I think ours (4 phones on the plan with unlimited texting. 2 lines with insurance and I'm not sure on the minutes thing) is like $150 a month. I think I would be ok with 450 minutes a month. I think nights and weekends are free on most plans. I know we've never gone over with whatever we have and i don't think its unlimited. If its that much more for unlimited data I'm not interested.

 

i have the insurance as well, and as it is a single line

also, i may have it charging me for a month and a half
as i bought it mid june and am getting charged for july

and this is my first month of having it

and i love it

 

That is due to his insurance.
Comparatively, my ATT is 450 minutes/1k texts/2GB data at about $80


Get the Verizon unlimited plan now because that's being eliminated soon. Once you have that set up, you will be grandfathered in and can keep it.

iPhone 5 specifications are all speculation. The one thing that you can believe is that they will be released for ATT first, with a waiting period for other networks. Also expect waiting in line.

An iPhone isn't worth getting unless you are with ATT. The market is shifting to Android phones, and Android is more capable on Verizon network as stated above.

iPhone has a glass screen, which is superior in terms of scratch resistance, clarity, and so on. No real need for screen protector - screen protectors are really only needed for plastic screens. Screens will break if you abuse any phone.
otterbox defender is your most rugged iphone case, but it is bulky like no other. If you need something lighter, try the speck candyshell. I haven't seen their toughskin, might be worth a look.

If ruggedness is the biggest concern, I think you would want to look at something like the Casio G'zOne. The reviews are pretty awesome.

You can put your music, whatever on an Andriod. It just looks like a thumb drive when you plug it in to your computer. No syncing, but oh well. If you need to sync, there should be some programs out there.

Conclusion
If you need a smart phone and want Verizon, sign up ASAP on the unlimited plan with an Andriod

If you need a smart phone and want an iPhone, jump ship to AT&T

If you need a rugged phone and data doesn't matter, get something like a Casio G'zOne. It's an andriod, mil-spec, built for beatings.

 

My iPhone has been my workhorse around the world, whether as a phone or my main purpose of being a computer. Too many apps that make this the best on the marker (imo).

I have a rubber OtterBox which isn't listed on the site, but I bought at REI. As for the screen, you MUST buy this: http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/apple-iphone-4-cases-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php
Really, buy one of these for anything you own. I've been using them for all my electronics since they first came out, and have no fear about what keys against the screen do. I don't have a single mark on the screen, only on the film.

My Verizon bill is about $110/month for 900 minutes and unlimited texts, etc.

 

I am in the exact situation. I am considering the iphone or a Droid from the 4g network.

 

I have the ballistic case.it's no joke. Hard plastic case with built in screen protecter and soft rubber case. $50 in store and $21 on eBay.I've dropped this phone 100times already and not a scratch or anything. I love my iPhone. I have an iPad and touch as well. Never had a droid so I can't compare them. I have Netflix and hbo go on my phone which works awesome.Verizon does rape you with insurance. $11 a month with $150 deductible vs any droid where it's $7 a month with a $100 deductible