CNET - In this week's Ask Maggie, I help one reader decide if he should wait for the next-generation iPhone or buy the iPhone 4 before Verizon Wireless gets rid of its unlimited data plan. I also explain to another reader when I think more Windows Phone smartphones will hit the market. And I offer some guidance on which cell phone provider to choose when traveling between rural areas.
Ask Maggie is a weekly advice column that answers readers' wireless and broadband questions. If you've got a question, please send me an e-mail at maggie dot reardon at cbs dot com. And please put "Ask Maggie" in the subject header.
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. More
