Is the iPhone 4s 32/64GB available anywhere? (new, or apple refurb)

Lifeforms

I've been half considering replacing my htc desire HD with an iphone 4s. I don't want the 5, I find it quite awkward to grip, and it looks wrong to me. It's the same length as my current phone, but thinner, so feels un-natural to me to hold and use.

Thus said I'd want to get a 4s in 32 or 64GB version, however apple seem to only sell the 16GB model on their site, and if I go to places like carphonewarehouse we're talking £599 for the 32GB 4s PAYG, which is the same price from apple of the 5 32GB model! !!!! take


None of my friends have shifted over and could sell me one second hand. I would not want to ebay it, or amazon or play it from marketplace sellers, or otherwise. It's too risky to get the phone blocked 6 months down the line as stolen etc.

Cash converters and the like seem to be 8GB models 1st gen, or if they have 4 or 4s, they're really shabby, chips, scratches etc, and low 8 or 16gb models.

Are there any physical shops with either online presence that have the 32 or 64GB still? Surely these phones don't just magically disappear upon release of the 5. I understand manufacturing may end, but there has to be loads of unsold 32 or 64GB models still out there, looking for an owner? Do apple demand all 4s phones are returned once release of the 5? Are they then mushed down into the pit of iphone-dispair?

I guess physical location on the street, would be Glasgow, or Edinburgh, possibly down to Newcastle. If it's a store, and it's brand new/sealed of an appropriate price then I would walk in and buy.

I honestly have no interest in being told to just get a 5, I don't want a 5, if i can't get the 4s in right size, then I just wont get one, it's not a case that I need to be told just get the 5 because it's only x dearer, it's a better phone etc.

gjchester

Lifeforms wrote: »

Are there any physical shops with either online presence that have the 32 or 64GB still? Surely these phones don't just magically disappear upon release of the 5. I understand manufacturing may end, but there has to be loads of unsold 32 or 64GB models still out there, looking for an owner? Do apple demand all 4s phones are returned once release of the 5? Are they then mushed down into the pit of iphone-dispair?

It would not help Apples premium brand nature if they allowed the older stock to be sold at clearance prices so Apple recall them, they don't get mushed down, but go to become the units for swap under warranty repairs.

Lifeforms

gjchester wrote: »

It would not help Apples premium brand nature if they allowed the older stock to be sold at clearance prices so Apple recall them, they don't get mushed down, but go to become the units for swap under warranty repairs.

Understandable, aside from the fact apple still sell the 4 and 4s on their website new, just in certain sizes 8GB for the 4 and 16GB for the 4s, is this to try and put people off who might want a bigger one? Why not just list all sizes for previous model, and then maybe one size for the next model back? If it's to "encourage" me to go and buy a 5, it does nothing of the sort really.

They discount, a little, on the prices of the 4 and 4s sold as new units, they don't seem to sell any iphones as refurb or returns in that refurb section.

gjchester

Lifeforms wrote: »

Understandable, aside from the fact apple still sell the 4 and 4s on their website new, just in certain sizes 8GB for the 4 and 16GB for the 4s, is this to try and put people off who might want a bigger one? Why not just list all sizes for previous model, and then maybe one size for the next model back? If it's to "encourage" me to go and buy a 5, it does nothing of the sort really.

They discount, a little, on the prices of the 4 and 4s sold as new units, they don't seem to sell any iphones as refurb or returns in that refurb section.

The 4 came in 16 or 32 GB versions, then when the 4S came out that was removed and only the 8GB "starter" 4 came out, I think that was the case with the 3 and 3GS too.

The 5's the flag ship so you get options, the 4 and 4S are not. I've never seen an iPhone as a refurb, I suspect they just use them all for repairs / warranty returns. It means they can cut down or stop production of new 4/4S units and concentrateon the 5.

Why not keep all in stock, dunno, probably so they have one stock unit per model and reduce production capacity, and just have one churning out the prior models. Or could be as Apples a permium brand it makes you think you want the latest and greatest. Eitherway it's Apples choice..

rochycoo

why not ebay? you can pick up an iphone 4s 32gb for about £350 - £400 from a reputable seller with lots of feedback. Other than that vodafone do them for £33 a month on a 24 month contract with 600 minutes, umlimited texts and 500mb data, which is plenty for the average user. I know it doesn't sound that much cheaper than the iphone 5 but the new iphone uses loads of mb's of data when online, 500mb can be used up in about 5 minutes depending on what you are viewing, so they need a data unlimited plan, cheapest is around £60, making the 4s a very good deal.

grumbler

rochycoo wrote: »

...the new iphone uses loads of mb's of data when online, 500mb can be used up in about 5 minutes depending on what you are viewing, so they need a data unlimited plan, cheapest is around £60, making the 4s a very good deal.

I am no expert in iPhones, but what you say looks like a fault, not a feature of iP5 or the new iOS. If the latter, it has to be the same on any hardware running this OS (ignoring the scenario of downloading on 4g).

Lifeforms

no to ebay, simply put I wouldn't trust it, even with home collection, too many stories of them being reported lost or stolen and suddenly you've a blocked phone, and no money!

Not looking for a contract, especially not a 24month one either. I'll continue on with my quest to see if I can get one, or deal with 16GB of space

gjchester

rochycoo wrote: »

the new iphone uses loads of mb's of data when online, 500mb can be used up in about 5 minutes depending on what you are viewing.

Just because it's a IP5 it doesn't automatically use more data, it all depends where you are and what you are doing.

500mb can't be used in 5 minutes in the real world in almost any mobile device on 3G. You'd need somewhere between 15 to 20 Mbit to achieve that, and typically 3G networks tend to be in the 1 to 2 MBit level, (See http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/05/26/mobile-broadband-speeds-revealed/)

I've had my Iphone 5 since they came out and it's only recieved 250MB

albionrovers

I bought a seller refurb (ie nice and shiny) 3GS from Ebay and it soon developed faults, home button, charging, microphone etc - I took it into the Apple store, spoke quietly and friendly to the genius and got an Apple refurb for £55. Just saying ....

Buzby

I've bought all my iPhones (except the latest 5) on eBay, and never had the issues you fear. Further, I sell them on the same way again with no issues - I never purchased network locked or jailbroken, as the former can lead to false 'lost' claims - but I would have to say you are making life very difficult for yourself!

Lifeforms

I was forced to buy off eBay in the end, Certainly didn't pay the cheapest price for one, but I did find a business auction for a pretty new unblemished 4s. As I say, wasn't the cheapest price, but seems to be fine a couple of months on. Seemed pretty tracable through out the process, still wasn't 100% happy to do it, but it basically was the only option to get a 32gb 4s.

And no, despite the scaremongering my 4S hasn't used 500mb data in 5 mins. Its done 350-400meg from the time i bought it (2 months) to now. Only because I tethered it over seas for a week to surf properly Otherwise im at around 100meg a month, but I surf, facebook, email, and that's it.