[neil45]

Like many, I was excited when the iphone 3G was announced. I didn't own the original as I couldn't justify the cost and I had an ipod touch which was 'kind of like an iphone'.

I few months back I took out a new contract with O2 and received a free XDA Orbit 2 which I hated and has recently been sold on ebay.

Anyway, i'm now sitting on a pile of cash trying to decide whether to wait and get the iphone 3G on Pay and Go and hope that in the not too distant future it can be unlocked so I can use my contract sim in it or take the safe option and buy a 1st gen.

I kind of prefer the look of the 1st gen anyway, what with the metal back.

What does everyone think? I know that if I go with the 1st gen i'll be losing out on 3G but I do most of my browsing etc in Wi-Fi hotspots anyway.

I know i'll also be missing out on GPS but i'm pretty sure I can live without it.

Am I right in thinking that when software 2.0 is released I would be able to update a 1st gen?

What else would I miss out on if I opt for the 1st gen?

I've done so much reading i'm starting to get a bit confuddled! I think at the moment i'm leaning slightly towards the 1st gen. Any thoughts?

[rob_finch]

Hi,

You will be able to upgrade the first gen iPhones to the new 2.0 firmware, which will give you all the new apps and functionality, apart from GPS and 3G.

I think your only question is down to cost. If you buy a 1st gen and put your SIM card in it, will you pay more than the 2nd gen plus pay as you go credit before that gets unlocked?

Personally, seeing as you don't really need the new hardware features, I'd go with the 1st gen. When the new firmware gets unlocked, you could upgrade then and still get a decent amount for your 1st gen when resold.

[hutch]

Originally Posted by rob_finch

You will be able to upgrade the first gen iPhones to the new 2.0 firmware, which will give you all the new apps and functionality

At this moment in time if a 1st Gen is unlocked upgrading to 2.0 is a no no. Im sure it'll be sorted pretty quickly but for the time being upgrading should be left alone.

[rob_finch]

Originally Posted by hutch.

At this moment in time if a 1st Gen is unlocked upgrading to 2.0 is a no no. Im sure it'll be sorted pretty quickly but for the time being upgrading should be left alone.

Absolutely, I agree. I thought the OP just wanted to know if the 1st gen could use the new software or not. The same upgrade/unlock rules apply equally to both generations.

[neil45]

I took your advice and opted for the 1st gen. Bought two from ebay last night (one for me, one for the missus). Both unlocked, jailbroken and brand new and less than £250 each. Should be arriving tomorrow.

A couple of other questions. I am currently using an O2 contract sim, £45 per month, 1200 mins and 1000 texts. It also has the free unlimited web bolt-on.

Will this bolt-on be suitable for my safari browsing, email etc or do I need to change bolt-on? I'm trying to avoid huge bills.

Will visual voicemail work with my current sim or do I need to do anything else first?

Any other advice or recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[cashlessbond]

Jailbroken= no visual voicmail

[cashlessbond]

or Voicemail even