iPhone true cost?

Apple released a new phone, so all the Apple sheeple are going crazy to feed on the new iPone.

Lets look at the true cost for a moment. For comparison, my phone cost me about $199+tax for an HTC Touch Windows smartphone - so about $250 w/tax (due to funky math with instant rebates). My monthly rate is $33 for unlimited text, unlimited internet, and 450 minutes of calling with Sprint. BTW, my evening minutes start at 7pm and go until 7am. This costs me about $396 a year.

Now compare this to the new Apple iPhone. It's $199 for the phone, plus $52 taxes (California), and $39 setup fee = $290. So, only $40 more than me - not bad for an amazing product in itself. Now, lets compare the cost to my phone for the same services:

Feature	My Plan Spring	iPhone 3G
450 Minutes	$30	$39.99
Unlimited Internet/Data	Included	$30
Unlimited SMS	Included	$20
Unlimited MMS Send Picture/Video	Included	Not capable
Total $ for 2 year contract Includes price of phone	$1,075*	$2,587*,**,***

* = Estimated CA taxes on the very conservative side. ** = Not owning an iPhone, I'm not sure about any other hidden charges there may be. Don't forget, people buy many millions worth of $$$'s at the iPhone app store. *** = ATT evening minutes are from 9pm until 6am. I don't see an option to change this to 7pm when doing a pre-order on their website.

So please, stop asking me why I don't want an Apple iPhone. I'm paying $1500 less for my 2 year contract than an iPhone, and I'm still getting a new phone every two years

The sad thing is, people would rather have their fancy iPhone than putting the same amount of money into an IRA or other form of savings.

BTW. I've had my phone for about a year now and noticing the battery isn't holding a charge - time to replace the battery - try that with your iPhone.