Few iphone 4 questions before I purchase...

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Broph

44 posts

Geek

#65266 1-Aug-2010 12:53

Few questions...

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).

Thanks in advance.

heavenlywild

5041 posts

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Trusted

#360997 1-Aug-2010 13:03

Broph: Few questions...

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).

Thanks in advance.

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)
Better support with Apple I believe. Where to buy - depends how much data, calling etc you require will determine whether you should buy it outright or not. And it depends on whether you have the money to buy it outright.

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?
Not sure, haven't used it.

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).
I wouldn't buy it myself. You are right, the CGA would cover it. I guess with Apple Care you won't need to quote the CGA to them when something goes wrong = less hassle.

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).
Yes, and it depends on the insurance company as to how much they will cover it.

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corksta

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#361002 1-Aug-2010 13:10

Broph: Few questions...

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).

Thanks in advance.

1. If you can afford it go with Apple. If you want a subsidy and to be with VF then they are your obvious choice. Buying outright from Apple gives you the freedom to choose which network you operate it on.

2. I use MobileMe and I think it's worth it. I don't pay the full membership cost I buy the renewal codes from eBay which are much cheaper. I have all Apple products anyway so it integrates very well and is useful because I travel a bit. Try the free 60-day trial and see if it's for you.

3. Apparently AppleCare is a very good product, but I've never purchased it, don't really believe in extended warranties, plus a new iPhone comes out each year anyway!

4. Yes it should be covered, always pays to call and check though.

Qdabean

51 posts

Master Geek

#361006 1-Aug-2010 13:15

Regarding the Applecare: Well worth it for my wife's iphone 3gs. She is now onto her 4 iphone due to the iphone somehow frying itself (turns out it was an over zealous car charger) and every time Apple just replaced the phone free of charge. Granted this was within the first year but now having purchased Applecare at least she now feel peace of mind heading into her second year.

Broph

44 posts

Geek

#361007 1-Aug-2010 13:22

Thanks for the replies, just a few updates (in order of question number)...

* I'll be going on Telecom XT anyway, so the discounts on the phone depending on what plan I choose, don't change anything - the only reason why I would pay a bit extra to buy an unlocked one from Vodafone would be if they offered better support.

* Didn't know there was a 60 day trial of Mobile Me so I'll give that a go.

* Yeah I don't think I'll purchase an iPhone year after year, so a 2 year AppleCare deal would be the way to go I think (even though I strongly believe I don't need it, I don't think I could be bothered with the CGA argument etc).

* I'll ring my insurance company tomorrow.

Thanks all for the help.

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#361050 1-Aug-2010 15:21

Broph: Few questions...

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

You should receive the same support from Apple if purchased online or from Vodafone or reseller (not parallel importer).

Aside from iPhone, when purchased an Airport Extreme online, it arrived the next day, however with powersupply was DOA, I had to send back to Apple... curse when arrived on a Friday. Therefore just went into MagnumMac and bought one there... had sent other one back to Apple for refund.
Not only is it good to support local business so they stay around, the benefit is you can visit them straight away if you have an issue.
(I originally purchased online for the edu discount but in end wanted to get network sorted straight away)

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

For us, it has been worth every penny. I synchronise between 5 devices (including 2x Macs, PC, iPhones and iPad). We have family pack and this gives 1 master account, and 4 sub accounts. Each sub account has own idisk, gallery, contacts mail calendar and find my iPhone etc just that the main account has 20GB and the sub accounts have 5GB each.
A lot of the features are available in different free apps, but MobileMe makes it seamless with the Mac and under a single account. There is a 60day trial if you like.

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

AppleCare gives you more than just warranty. It also gives you 2years of phone support. Highly recommended.

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).
Thanks in advance.

Definitely check with own insurer. My wifes was covered under contents for accident in the home. This was AMI.

miguelwrang

121 posts

Master Geek

#361059 1-Aug-2010 15:46

Broph: Few questions...

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).

Thanks in advance.

My 2c:

1)I'd go with the apple store but I haven't had any problems with support from Vodafone.

2)Mobileme isn't worth it to me. As I said in the other thread, I use google sync for mail, contacts and calendars and Dropbox for everything else. The other thing there isn't a free alternative for is the find my iphone feature. You decide if that's worth $140 per year for you.

3)I haven't dealt much with Apple phone support but Apple care at $120 for an extra year of tech support and warranty seems a bit steep. I'd imagine you could find tech support on the web. As for the warranty, the CGA covers it (but you will need to go through extra hassle).

4) Yea always check with your insurance company. They always try to find a way to screw you.

ChrnoXIII

167 posts

Master Geek

#361084 1-Aug-2010 16:40

well here's how i see it regarding apple care. especially if you are going on a plan for a 2 year contract, just quote CGA - it is applicable over a reasonable lifetime of the product. in this case im sure the 2 year contract you sign means that the phone should last that long at the very least.

if you are not on plan, then perhaps it would be a good idea to get it. check with your insurance, maybe the excess on for "accidentally" breaking your iphone is less than buying applecare, i know mine is. it all comes down to policy.

in the end, just depends to what extent you want to work to get the replacement.
applecare? quick easy expensive :(
CGA route? mayb have to jump a few hurdles but you will get there in the end :) free and you may not have to invoke it at all.

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#361686 2-Aug-2010 16:00

* Would it be better to purchase an unlocked iPhone from Apple Store, or Vodafone? (i.e. does any give any extra technical support/better support with warrantys etc.)

If you plan to use it on the Vodafone network with a plan, then probably not considering you will be locked into a 24 month contract. All NZ iPhones are unlocked anyway.

* How do you feel about Mobile Me? Is it worth it?

I have more than one apple device - so yes it makes sense. You can get MobileMe from Amazon which works out to be cheaper than the annual fee. With the built in GPS, you can use MobileMe to locate your phone, ipad (quite precisely)

* How do you feel about extra AppleCare? Is it worth it? (I thought the CGA would be enough support for a $1300 phone; the AppleCare is only one year).

I believe you have up to 1 year to decide to it is not worth worrying at this stage.

* Would the iPhone be covered by contents insurance? (or is it dependant on the insurance company?).

Dependent on the insurance company

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#361782 2-Aug-2010 18:04

ChrnoXIII: well here's how i see it regarding apple care. especially if you are going on a plan for a 2 year contract, just quote CGA - it is applicable over a reasonable lifetime of the product. in this case im sure the 2 year contract you sign means that the phone should last that long at the very least.

CGA does not replace AppleCare.
AppleCare offers you 2 years telephone support.

in the end, just depends to what extent you want to work to get the replacement.
applecare? quick easy expensive :(
CGA route? mayb have to jump a few hurdles but you will get there in the end :) free and you may not have to invoke it at all.

Indeed. AppleCare may have you with instant swap over of device with fault under 2year period. CGA may take some number of weeks.

irSilentone

74 posts

Master Geek

#362029 2-Aug-2010 23:50

MattD: may have you with instant swap over of device with fault under 2year period. ?CGA may take some number of weeks.?

+ all the legal costs while going through the courts,which would be way more expensive than the warranty. most cga claims take a month or two.. When apple could have given you a replacement in a few days..

You can purchase AppleCare anytime within the first year

I myself hwve had good experience with AppleCare as Ive had a replacement laptop that was 23 months old, They are very easy to deal with too unlike other extended warranty companies!

MobileMe is also handy if you work between a few different devices, it also allows you to have your own website you can upload photos too. I also had my phone stolen and i used the "locate my iPhone" and got my phone back within the hour.