Used: iPhone 3G or 3GS - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

m3repair · 2012-04-16, 07:40 PM

looking for a used iPhone that is either unlocked or locked to fido, I am looking on behalf of a friend who isn't financially stable at this time. He is looking to spend at the most of 50-60$ for one but if you have just laying around that you could spare that would help too, if you have one that you could part with please pm me, Thanks!

blueroomelectro · 2012-04-17, 01:26 AM

Why a smartphone with a pricy plan to match for someone not financially stable? You will need a data plan with an iPhone.

On the uber cheap an iPod Touch 3/4 gen with a VoIP plan $1~$5 month and AcroBits $9 will get you a WiFi pseudo phone.

rfielder · 2012-04-17, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroomelectro

Why a smartphone with a pricy plan to match for someone not financially stable? You will need a data plan with an iPhone.

I am not sure that is true. Isn't it possible to have a regular phone plan with an iPhone?

Which turns it into an iPod with phone capabilities when it is not within range of a Wifi network. That sort of limitation may be acceptable to some. That is almost how my iPhone 3Gs works since the 3G portion was trashed by mositure. Mine is used as a phone and used with Wifi connectivity. It is occasionally used with non3G access, but that is avoided since it is so slow - and since my partner's iPhone 3Gs still has 3G functioning....

It works, and is not bad as just a phone.

Stilgar · 2012-04-17, 10:33 AM

iPhones tend to hold their value. You'd be lucky to find a 16GB 3GS unlocked for just under $300. I highly doubt you're going to find one for $50-60.

Arthur Dent · 2012-04-17, 10:43 AM

The difference between 3G and 3GS is almost night and day. 3G you might get for that price, but it won't be worth it - it will be excruciatingly slow, not able to run most of the current apps, and it is guranteed that the battery will be almost dead, so you'll have to pay more than for the whole phone to replace it.
If you get a 3GS for that price, it will be because it has even worse issues, or is stolen.

cambo · 2012-04-17, 10:51 AM

You don't "need" a data plan with any phone. The only reason the carriers require one is if you intend to purchase based on a fixed-term contract. They recoup their lower-cost phones with a data plan subsidy. Without data plans, the phones are several hundred dollars.

A used phone has long been paid for. You can just get a standard pay-as-you go plan and use wi-fi.

Fido, I believe, uses the regular Rogers network. If the phone is "locked" to Rogers, you should be fine with Fido, given a Fido SIM.

Arthur Dent · 2012-04-17, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cambo

Fido, I believe, uses the regular Rogers network. If the phone is "locked" to Rogers, you should be fine with Fido, given a Fido SIM.

That is not correct. A locked Fido iPhone cannot work on Rogers and vice versa, regardless of the fact that they use the same network.

m3repair · 2012-04-18, 01:22 AM

It was just a thought, to try and find her an iPhone as that is what she would like but wouldn't mind any other 3G phone as well, just to clarify an iPhone does not have to have data nor does any other smart phone / normal phone, they say you do but the reality is of course not true, it applies normally only to contracts as previous posters have pointed out. Either way I am still on the hunt for something reasonable inexpensive for her

cambo · 2012-04-18, 09:20 AM

Have you looked into Wind?

You can get new a Galaxy S for $50 with a Wind Tab. They're unlimited plans can't be beat.

m3repair · 2012-04-18, 01:18 PM

This issue isn't with having a plan here, is that she travels and needs a phone where she can just pop a pre-paid sim in and be off and running to where ever she may travel, but like I said she wouldn't mind having any 3G phone that just worked as a phone doesn't have to be an iphone like i said

notsure · 2012-04-18, 02:37 PM

Above you state a phone locked to fido would work... if she needs to pop-in sims in other places around the world this won't work. Sounds like she needs a factory unlocked iPhone.

2012-04-16, 07:40 PM	#1
m3repair Join Date: May 2011 Location: Etobicoke, ON Posts: 378	Used: iPhone 3G or 3GS looking for a used iPhone that is either unlocked or locked to fido, I am looking on behalf of a friend who isn't financially stable at this time. He is looking to spend at the most of 50-60$ for one but if you have just laying around that you could spare that would help too, if you have one that you could part with please pm me, Thanks!

2012-04-17, 01:26 AM	#2
blueroomelectro Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 672	Why a smartphone with a pricy plan to match for someone not financially stable? You will need a data plan with an iPhone. On the uber cheap an iPod Touch 3/4 gen with a VoIP plan $1~$5 month and AcroBits $9 will get you a WiFi pseudo phone. __________________ Bill My blog

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2012-04-17, 10:33 AM	#4
Stilgar Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 260	iPhones tend to hold their value. You'd be lucky to find a 16GB 3GS unlocked for just under $300. I highly doubt you're going to find one for $50-60.

2012-04-17, 10:43 AM	#5
Arthur Dent Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,727	The difference between 3G and 3GS is almost night and day. 3G you might get for that price, but it won't be worth it - it will be excruciatingly slow, not able to run most of the current apps, and it is guranteed that the battery will be almost dead, so you'll have to pay more than for the whole phone to replace it. If you get a 3GS for that price, it will be because it has even worse issues, or is stolen.

2012-04-17, 10:51 AM	#6
cambo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Whitby, Ontario Posts: 356	You don't "need" a data plan with any phone. The only reason the carriers require one is if you intend to purchase based on a fixed-term contract. They recoup their lower-cost phones with a data plan subsidy. Without data plans, the phones are several hundred dollars. A used phone has long been paid for. You can just get a standard pay-as-you go plan and use wi-fi. Fido, I believe, uses the regular Rogers network. If the phone is "locked" to Rogers, you should be fine with Fido, given a Fido SIM.

2012-04-18, 01:22 AM	#8
m3repair Join Date: May 2011 Location: Etobicoke, ON Posts: 378	It was just a thought, to try and find her an iPhone as that is what she would like but wouldn't mind any other 3G phone as well, just to clarify an iPhone does not have to have data nor does any other smart phone / normal phone, they say you do but the reality is of course not true, it applies normally only to contracts as previous posters have pointed out. Either way I am still on the hunt for something reasonable inexpensive for her

2012-04-18, 09:20 AM	#9
cambo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Whitby, Ontario Posts: 356	Have you looked into Wind? You can get new a Galaxy S for $50 with a Wind Tab. They're unlimited plans can't be beat.

2012-04-18, 01:18 PM	#10
m3repair Join Date: May 2011 Location: Etobicoke, ON Posts: 378	This issue isn't with having a plan here, is that she travels and needs a phone where she can just pop a pre-paid sim in and be off and running to where ever she may travel, but like I said she wouldn't mind having any 3G phone that just worked as a phone doesn't have to be an iphone like i said

2012-04-18, 02:37 PM	#11
notsure Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON; OTA, XBMC, ATV Posts: 1,604	Above you state a phone locked to fido would work... if she needs to pop-in sims in other places around the world this won't work. Sounds like she needs a factory unlocked iPhone.