Decided to finally make the leap to iPhone.

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Decided to finally make the leap to iPhone.

tardtasticx

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#94449 11-Dec-2011 21:19

So, the time has come. I've decided that on the evening of Thursday the 22nd of December 2011, on my way home from work, I will stop in at a mall. At this mall, I will visit an ATM and check my account balance. Then I will go to a Telecom store, and purchase my very first iPhone :D

So, I've seen they need micro-sims. The site says they come with a SIM, but does that apply for in-store purchases too? And then how long does it take to switch my number from my standard Telecom SIM to this new Micro-SIM?

Then I'll need a case. Any recomendations for cases that I can get from either DSE, JBHIFI, Telecom, Vodafone, Bond and Bond, or Harvey Norman? (These stores will be close to where I'll get the phone from so I want to get one on the same day preferably.)

I'm just gonna get the iPhone 4 btw, since there isn't any significant reason for me to spend another $300 on the 4S. Don't plan on getting it on contract either. Absolutely hate being tied down.

Also, any tips for a Android user moving to iPhone for first time?
AND a big question, can I buy adaptors for the Micro-SIM so I can use it in my old XT phones with normal SIM card slots?

Cheers guys :D

-Sam

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#556725 11-Dec-2011 21:36

Here you are:

I do believe that you will get a micro-SIM, even if you purchase in store.
It should only take a day (but could be longer) to transfer your number over. During this period there should be minimal downtime.
I personally did not buy a case for my 4S. So long as you do not plan on dropping it you should be fine :). Otherwise, you will need a case and $$$.
Whilst the 4S is nice (radically improved camera) most of the other features don't really justify an extra $300 as you say. The 4 is more than capable.
The 4S is not available on PrePaid with Telecom right now due to the stocks being so low. The 4, though, should be fine.
Can't really comment on Android.
The micro-SIM that came with my iPhone 4S from Telecom came with a standard SIM adaptor, a nice touch I thought.

plambrechtsen

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#556734 11-Dec-2011 22:10

I believe the normal SLA on SIM swaps is ~2 hours, but I've heard of people having the phone on the new SIM by the time they leave the store.

Since you're already on XT and not a porting in from another provider or moving from CDMA it should change over pretty quickly.

codyc1515

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#556736 11-Dec-2011 22:12

plambrechtsen: I believe the normal SLA on SIM swaps is ~2 hours, but I've heard of people having the phone on the new SIM by the time they leave the store.

Since you're already on XT and not a porting in from another provider or moving from CDMA it should change over pretty quickly.

Ah, I must have missed that. From CDMA to XT and XT to XT it took until 10am the next morning.

gzt

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#556746 11-Dec-2011 22:52

Call from work and check they have stock at the store. Nearly xmas eve and all that : D

MackinNZ

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#556748 11-Dec-2011 23:10

Don't waste your money. Buy a Windows Phone 7

tdgeek

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#556749 11-Dec-2011 23:11

I have a Griffin case, its black, polished steel type of back, rubber on the sides which keeps the back and front from sitting on anything if lying flat. Plus, when you sell, your phone will be mint, which means best resale price.

I'd rethink a contract. I was planning on getting my 4S outright, but there is a saving. I deleted my quick and dirty spreadsheet, but I paid $499 I think for the 64Gb version, on the $80 plan. The full 24 months outlay, less RRP, meant the $80 plan was about $53 from memory per month. You are tied for 24 months, on that plan or a same tier or higher plan, so you still have choices.

I'd think about the 4S though. Siri is a bit of fun at times, but it is also useful as well, and it will become more and more integrated. The camera is really excellent as is the full HD video.

Any usability queries, just holler!

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codyc1515

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#556750 11-Dec-2011 23:12

MackinNZ: Don't waste your money. Buy a Windows Phone 7

tdgeek

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#556751 11-Dec-2011 23:20

Here we go!

paulspain

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#556756 11-Dec-2011 23:43

If Telecom SIM swap process is anything like Vodafone's then it may be able to be completed while you are in the store (or over the phone with customer services).

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nzbnw

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#556778 12-Dec-2011 07:53

plambrechtsen: I believe the normal SLA on SIM swaps is ~2 hours, but I've heard of people having the phone on the new SIM by the time they leave the store.

Since you're already on XT and not a porting in from another provider or moving from CDMA it should change over pretty quickly.

All mobile provisioning orders have an SLA of 4 hours once entered into the provisioning system, however changes in store are likely to occur within 10-15 minutes if not sooner. CDMA to XT orders also have a 4 hour SLA, however again usually within 10 - 15 minutes.

codyc1515: Ah, I must have missed that. From CDMA to XT and XT to XT it took until 10am the next morning.

Something must have gone wrong for with your request, or required some backoffice provisioning.

nzbnw

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#556779 12-Dec-2011 08:00

nzbnw:
codyc1515: Ah, I must have missed that. From CDMA to XT and XT to XT it took until 10am the next morning.

Something must have gone wrong for with your request, or required some backoffice provisioning.

I went to a Telecom store last month to get a micro SIM for a Nokia N9, the same weekend the iPhone 4S came out.

First the bad things: the girl was condescending. She asked what I wanted, and I said "I want to swap my SIM with a micro SIM." She then asked if I asked a Telecom account, to which I replied "Yes, it is."

She then asked me my number, which starts "021"... She interrupted me even before I continued and came back with a "Are you sure this is a Telecom account?"

Good Lord, keep my patience please...

With this cleared, came the next question: "Have you lost your SIM or was it stolen?"... Excuse me, I just have a new handset here, thanks... She told me she is only allowed to give me a micro SIM if my old SIM was lost or stolen (and that's even though Telecom is actually charging me for a SIM).

Ok, so my old SIM was "stolen" for all purposes.

Once I got the micro SIM out of her hands (which was a mission), I inserted it on my handset, and the number was already active then. It probably took less than five minutes for the number to become active on the new micro SIM.

But what a mission to get that.

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scuwp

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#556780 12-Dec-2011 08:05

I only hope you have better luck than I had with mine. Like you finally took the plunge and got an iPhone4. The joy quickly faded when I sent it back faulty after only 6 days! Still waiting...waiting...waiting...

Anyhow, not convinced on the cover. It's pretty sleek and stylish on its own. I grabbed a simple rear cover from JB's (they only had like 300 models to choose from!) and took it on and off over the long tenure that my handset lasted (sob sob). The slim-cover had a matt finish which enabled a better grip on the handset which I liked, but the extra bulk was a drawback and to be honest the phone looked a whole lot nicer without it. I figured I am pretty careful with my stuff so will probably end up going 'commando' when I eventually get it back.

Other handy accessories I grabbed was a car charger adaptor (around $12) and an extra cable (around $10) to keep in the car.

Might pay to check if your local store has stock. You may be out of luck just before xmas.

As for the Android thing that's kinda a subjective matter. The rest of my family have Android phones and after setting those up my only comment is that you will find everything on the iPhone just "works" well together. The only drawback is you will likely get frustrated at some of the silly "apple-isms" that lock the phone down and restrict user customisation. Mind you I guess that's how they ensure everything just "works" so I guess it's a trade off.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

ahmad

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#556784 12-Dec-2011 08:11

scuwp: I only hope you have better luck than I had with mine. Like you finally took the plunge and got an iPhone4. The joy quickly faded when I sent it back faulty after only 6 days! Still waiting...waiting...waiting...

Anyhow, not convinced on the cover. It's pretty sleek and stylish on its own. I grabbed a simple rear cover from JB's (they only had like 300 models to choose from!) and took it on and off over the long tenure that my handset lasted (sob sob). The slim-cover had a matt finish which enabled a better grip on the handset which I liked, but the extra bulk was a drawback and to be honest the phone looked a whole lot nicer without it. I figured I am pretty careful with my stuff so will probably end up going 'commando' when I eventually get it back.

Other handy accessories I grabbed was a car charger adaptor (around $12) and an extra cable (around $10) to keep in the car.

Might pay to check if your local store has stock. You may be out of luck just before xmas.

As for the Android thing that's kinda a subjective matter. ?The rest of my family have Android phones and after setting those up my only comment is that you will find everything on the iPhone just "works" well together. ?The only drawback is you will?likely?get?frustrated at some of the silly "apple-isms" that lock the phone down and?restrict?user customisation. ? Mind you I guess that's how they ensure everything just "works" so I guess it's a trade off.

He didn't get an iPhone 4...

RunningMan

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#556789 12-Dec-2011 08:36

tardtasticx: I'm just gonna get the iPhone 4 btw, since there isn't any significant reason for me to spend another $300 on the 4S.

You've probably done your homework, but I thought the only iPhone 4 available was the 8GB version at $899.

With the entry level 4S having twice as much storage @ 16GB, and only $150 more ($1049), plus the additional antenna, better cameras etc. it may well be worth that little bit extra...

codyc1515

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#556870 12-Dec-2011 12:10

nzbnw:
codyc1515: Ah, I must have missed that. From CDMA to XT and XT to XT it took until 10am the next morning.

Something must have gone wrong for with your request, or required some backoffice provisioning.

I apologize for that mistake, it was CDMA to Vodafone and XT to Vodafone, not to XT.

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