A few months ago I upgraded to an iphone 5, unlocked version, for which I paid $600. I don't use my phone that much and when I do email or web surfing (don't do much texting) it is with wifi. However, I do spend a month in London every year and and can buy a local chip there to use for about 20GBP. I had previously been paying $50-60/month for my old iphone 3. I got a plan from Tmobile which gives me 1000 minutes over a period of up to 1 year for $100, on a pay as you go basis. So far I am using the phone at a rate of 50 - 100 minutes a month (I am retired and when I call long distance I use Skype or Facetime on my ipad through wifi). So for my usage, it looks like to will cost me about $100 instead of $700 for monthly phone charges. So my iphone 5 will be paid for in just about 12 months. And I have the advantage of a completely legal unlocked iphone to use in London or Hong Kong or anywhere else in the world with a local card. The main disadvantage is that I cannot email or text or surf without wifi. When I am out of the country, the local chips allow me to do that.
If this fits your situation, you may want to investigate this.
Larry
If this fits your situation, you may want to investigate this.
Larry
