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I’m not getting the iPhone 5 on Friday, and that’s OK. Right?

posted on Sep 19th 2012 at 8:12pm by Brandon K

I remember when the first iPhone was announced.  My employer didn’t get their money’s worth that afternoon.  Shortly after my lunch hour, I wore out the refresh button on my browser as I frothed at the mouth for each and every detail, no matter how insignificant, as it was announced.  Rumors had been floating around for months that Apple was going to announce its entry into the mobile phone market and, finally, on one glorious, albeit cold January afternoon, it became official.  I was the happiest big kid in the world and couldn’t wait to own one right away.

But my dreams were crushed.  It wouldn’t release for six months, was exclusive to another carrier, and the cheapest model was half-a-grand with no carrier subsidy.  I was sad, but only temporarily, as Apple announced a price cut only a few short months after release.  I was so happy that I cancelled my Verizon contract without caring how much I owed them.  I just wanted the iPhone and I wanted it right now.

Fast forward almost 70 months later and here we go again.  A shiny, brand new iPhone will be available in just a few days.  But I can’t get one.

Well, it’s not that I can’t.  The issue is that I, along with thousands of other customers, are not upgrade eligible right now.  The $299 32GB (black, if you’re curious) that has my heart would run me close to $600 if I can’t hold my horses until June of next year.  And believe me, I’m trying my best to hold them.

I’m trying.  I really am.  I keep telling myself it’ll be ok.  Hell, I even think I have myself convinced that it will be ok.  But that’s easy to say today.  Tuesday.  Two-and-a-half days before release.

Friday morning, I’m sure, will start like any other.  A way-too-loud wake up call from my now obsolete iPhone 4S, a cup of coffee, and a leisurely drive downtown to work.  But then the blogs will pick up.  Mainstream media will descend.  I’ll be unable to avoid the coverage and will soon be overwhelmed with the hype, at which point I’ll begin a downward spiral of cold sweats and violent twitching.

Why do I have to have newest piece of technology on the day that it’s released?  I had the 3GS the day it was released.  I waited in line for almost four hours for the 4 on release day.  The 4S escaped me for a few weeks, but once AT&T bumped up my upgrade eligibility date, I broke speeding records rushing to the Apple Store.

But I have to wait nine months for the 5?  I don’t know if I can make it, man.

And that’s the power that Apple has over people like me.  New new new, now now now.  But the funny thing is, much like when I upgraded from the 4 to the 4S, I know the difference will be minor.  The leap to the 5 is a bit bigger, yes, but it’s nothing groun breaking (nor does it have to be, but that’s another article for another day).  The real changes come with iOS6, which I can have free and clear tomorrow for my phone and tablet.

I know better.  I know this isn’t a big deal.  I can get it next year.  In the mean time, I’ll have iOS 6 to keep me company.  It’s just a phone.  Really, it’s not a big deal.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

[Image Credit:  CNET]

  • Mike

    I did not plan on upgrading to the 5 (from my 4S) or even think about upgrading. Well, after a week has passed and I even downloaded iOS6, I still find myself wanting to upgrade. This is ridiculous right? I don’t need a 5, my 4S is awesome and more than what I even need sometimes.

  • Marvin Nakajima

    That’s ok, just remind yourself that you’ll be first in line for the iPhone 6 next year.

  • FutureMedia

    I always want to have the maximum possible quality iPhone 5 delivers not the almost maximum very good quality the iPod touch 5 delivers. And now with ConsumerCellular.com I can pay for a new iPhone each year in savings. Over the past 4 years, I bought every iPhone at launch with the maximum storage capacity every time. 3G, 3GS, 4 and 4S and paid AT&T $3,750 in monthly service fees. And I’ve enjoyed each one tremendously. But over the next 4 years I will pay ConsumerCellular.com about $570 in service fees saving about $3,180 in service fees. I’m not stopping now. But I have moved to ConsumerCellular to pay for the AT&T internet and cell phone network at a radically lower price because I have a history of rarely using it. If I buy a new iPhone every year for about $1,000 including AppleCare+ and sales tax each phone will cost me about $205 IF I DON’T SELL THEM including the iPhone 5. So there’s plenty of wiggle room for those of you who need 100, 300 or even more minutes of talk time each month as well as a larger web access rate to still pay for your new unlocked iPhones every year – particularly if you sell each one after you get the next one.

  • Brandon

    I’m sticking with 4S too for now. My reasoning is this:

    1. Money. Like you I’m outside the update cycle so according to AT&T’s fuzzy logic I need to pay them $250 to upgrade early, plus $299 for the phone plus $38 to upgrade. $587 to re-up my contract for 2 more years. Um… No. I’d rather pay the extra $100 to not get locked in for 2 more years.

    2. I mentioned money right? I can think of better places for my $600 to go right now.

    3. 4″ is not 4.3″ or 4.5″ … bigger yes, but not greatly so. Having used a Galaxy Note (5″) I would love the bigger screen, but the size change at first glance doesn’t seem ground breaking. Maybe my view will change when I see one in person.

    4. Thinner… lighter. I don’t find my iPhone 4S to be a brick or too thick. I would like the changed back (no glass) but I can replace the back glass on ebay for a couple bucks, so no biggie.

    5. LTE – AT&T doesn’t have LTE in my city. So no gain or loss. Maybe by 5S time they might. But I’m not holding my breath.

    6. Speed improvements – This I actually do want. But iOS 6 hasn’t yet proven to drag the 4S to a crawl yet, so I can wait.

  • cggm

    I think it’s ok not to upgrade to the iPhone 5. honestly Apple lost me with this phone. I mean come on half this stuff Has been on android phones for over a year. I as well as a few of my friends who are hardcore Apple fanatics are bummed with this release. Sorry but until Apple com news out with something better than the competition my next phone won’t be an iPhone

  • http://www.nycvalues.blogspot.com Katrina

    I am faithful, and I don’t leave the love of my life for a hotter guy every once in a while. Similarly, I am not selling my iPhone 4S for the newer 5. We’re great for each other, and we’ll be together until the next upgrade. There are always new features, and it is hard to get them all, especially when the economy is this bad.