07-25-2013, 09:38 PM
My iPhone4 took a dip in the Kasilof River last Friday when the waterproof bag that I thought I'd grabbed turned out to be a non-waterproof bag that did as well as my description suggests while we were dipnetting over the weekend (got 37 salmon! Freezer is stocked for the winter)
Anyway, it was time for an upgrade - the phone had been previously submerged and resurrected last Nov in Hawaii, though the bottom edge of the screen was a bit wonky and I had to turn on accessability and 3-finger zooming to hit some buttons along the bottom edge. Beyond that, it had a cracked screen after dropping out of a shirt pocket while loading lumber at Lowe's last October.
So the options are -
1. get new phone through ATT - we're upgrade eligible based though locked in for another two years
2. get new unlocked phone
3. get used unlocked phone
4. get used locked phone
5. get a dumbphone from work
5. go phoneless This option was rejected by my wife 
Option 1 has the highest long-term cost with somewhat reduced upfront cost.
Option 2 has the highest upfront cost, though potentially lower future cost if we change providers. Sticking with the same provider, net operational cost is the same.
Option 3 a blend of 1 and 2 - higher upfront cost but less than new. Operating cost same or less depending on carrier. Potential issues with used / stolen goods.
Option 4 cheapest upfront and same or less operating cost. Potential issues with used / stolen goods.
Option 5 is available. Flip phones of yore since my position wasn't deemed to 'need' a smartphone.
Option 6, while it's been somewhat peaceful, wont' fly.
To simplify further,
NEW
USED
WORKPHONE
How big a risk do I have with a used phone that passes physical inspection? Any reasonable way to check if it's been stolen (which, if the box and other paperwork are there, I assume is somewhat less likely)?
Anyway, it was time for an upgrade - the phone had been previously submerged and resurrected last Nov in Hawaii, though the bottom edge of the screen was a bit wonky and I had to turn on accessability and 3-finger zooming to hit some buttons along the bottom edge. Beyond that, it had a cracked screen after dropping out of a shirt pocket while loading lumber at Lowe's last October.
So the options are -
1. get new phone through ATT - we're upgrade eligible based though locked in for another two years
2. get new unlocked phone
3. get used unlocked phone
4. get used locked phone
5. get a dumbphone from work
Option 1 has the highest long-term cost with somewhat reduced upfront cost.
Option 2 has the highest upfront cost, though potentially lower future cost if we change providers. Sticking with the same provider, net operational cost is the same.
Option 3 a blend of 1 and 2 - higher upfront cost but less than new. Operating cost same or less depending on carrier. Potential issues with used / stolen goods.
Option 4 cheapest upfront and same or less operating cost. Potential issues with used / stolen goods.
Option 5 is available. Flip phones of yore since my position wasn't deemed to 'need' a smartphone.
Option 6, while it's been somewhat peaceful, wont' fly.
To simplify further,
NEW
USED
WORKPHONE
How big a risk do I have with a used phone that passes physical inspection? Any reasonable way to check if it's been stolen (which, if the box and other paperwork are there, I assume is somewhat less likely)?
