I am suffering from an existentialist crisis. I’d like to think that I am an independently acting and responsible conscious human being, but I feel like Steve Jobs is laughing at me from beyond the grave.
I love my iPhone. It’s unhealthy, I’m sure. I mean, it’s only glass, stainless steel, and plastic. And yet I love this brilliant little device that revolutionised mobile design, how we carry our music with us, how we photograph the world, and how we connect and share with others. My iPhone is my mini-computer on the go. I use it for texting, social sharing, photography, editing, keeping track of my calendar, storing contacts, finding directions, listening to music and podcasts, watching videos, reading, and blogging. Sometimes, I even make a phone call.
There are two ways to use your American iPhone in Australia for calls and messaging. One is to rack up obscene international charges, which I’m not willing to do. The other is to jailbreak and unlock the phone so you can insert a local sim card in it. Despite that many people boast that it’s oh so easy to jailbreak and unlock an iPhone, I’ve yet to find someone that can actually do it, including these braggarts and a few Asian dudes that hack stuff for a living. Apparently there’s something extra special about my version (5.1.1) and firmware (04.12.01).
I would like to continue using an iPhone in Australia, but with rumours about the release of the next version before the end of the year circulating, it makes more sense to me to wait than purchase a new one now. Since I won’t be able to use mine, there’s no sense in continuing to pay for the service. Yesterday, I went to my local AT&T store and broke my contract. I transferred my number to my mother’s dumbphone, which I converted into a pre-paid phone. This means I am able to retain the number I’ve had since I purchased my first mobile 10+ years ago, my mother will have a phone for emergencies, which I can use when I visit, and it all costs considerably less than what we had before.
My dilemma now is about what to do with the iPhone. I can’t make or receive calls and text messages on it, but I can use all of its other features via WiFi. I can still check email, access the web, use all the apps, play music, and use the camera. I’m just wondering if it’s worth it. Now is a good time to sell an iPhone and I’ve received a decent offer for mine. Selling it would be a good decision. Public WiFi doesn’t appear to be as readily available in Melbourne as it is in Miami and it would be nice to have a little extra cash in my pocket. Without phone and messaging service and data, my iPhone is beginning to feel like little more than a pricey toy – a toy I like a lot. There’s a battle going on between my id and my super-ego.
What do you think? Should I sell my iPhone or keep it? How’s your relationship with your mobile phone?
Honestly, it takes only common sense to understand why you ended the contract. But as to how you had the nerve to do so, is beyond me. Clearly I’m addicted pretty bad to my mobile phone and for all the reasons you mentioned and “sometimes, I even make a phone call”. However youve already made the biggest step, its not really a useless expensive toy that you state WiFi is not as available there. So I ask, why keep it? Sell it and make a profit especially since the offer per you is a good one. Or keep it and continue to enjoy it as your mini computer on the go and enjoy connectivity when possible. Once you have the new one, sell this one. There is ALWAYS a buyer out there for an iPhone. It only takes a visit to ebay to see that there even bids on the first one of its kind. I guess it really boils down to you and how much you really want to get rid of it. Personally I would opt out with option two but that’s just the iPhone addict speaking out. Good luck! 🙂
So, you think I should sell it. Or maybe keep it. Haha! I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for your comments! 🙂
Wave bye bye to it. Enjoy the new found freedom for your fingers and treat yourself to something nice with the money. By the time the next iphone appears, yours will be worth a lot less.
Sound advice. And now is definitely the right time to sell. Thanks for your comments!
Keep it!
So far, I have. It’s so hard to let go! lol Thanks for your comments and for reblogging my entry.
Reblogged this on Versatile Blogger Award and commented:
Do you love your iPhone? Could you give it up? A fun little post…
Even though I don’t have an iPhone (or any cell phone, for that matter), I can see how you could get addicted to one. It’s a mini computer, and I pounce on my computer the moment I walk in the door. But I do think it’s healthy to get away from the computer for a while each day, so I’d say, sell it and give yourself a mini vacation before the next version tempts.
I can’t go cold turkey, but I’m slowly weaning myself off of it. There’s a lot about the iPhone that is about play and not productivity. It can be a big time sucker.