The InformationWeek -- Blogs

Over The Air

Topics:   Mobile

  • Email this page E-mail this page
  • Print this page Print this page
  • Bookmark and Share
  • icon

Billshrink Runs The Numbers: myTouch Bests iPhone And Pre


Posted by Eric Zeman, Aug 6, 2009 04:59 PM

Consumer Web site BillShrink.com has published the results generated by its cost-comparison tool. Putting the T-Mobile myTouch 3G head-to-head against the Apple iPhone and Palm Pre, HTC's Android device emerged as the least expensive to own.


Everyone has their own, unique set of parameters that will surely affect the outcome if you run the numbers yourself. Based on a plan with at/near 1000 minutes per month, here's what BillShrink says the three phones will cost you (device sale price plus the total of 2 years of service):

  • MyTouch: $1998 – 1000 minutes/month + unlimited data and messaging
  • Palm Pre: $2359 – 900 minutes/month + unlimited data and messaging
  • iPhone 3G S: $2839 – 900 minutes/month + unlimited data and messaging
These results show that you'll get 100 more minutes of gab time per month and come out nearly $900 richer at the end of two years compared to the cost of owning and iPhone. That's a hefty result.

I ran the numbers for myself and compared the results. According to BillShrink, I am still on the best possible plan for me at the moment. (I ran it back in June when the Palm Pre came out.)

What's clear as a bell here is that smartphones are expensive to own. With monthly bills approaching $100 per month or more, they can put a dent in any budget.

A recent poll showed that Americans would drop mobile data plans in a New York minute if they had to to make ends meet. Perhaps BillShrink can save you enough money on a monthly basis so you don't have to drop your data plan.

This tool is meant for consumers -- and not enterprises -- to use. If you think your business is over-paying for wireless services, I'd suggest you call your carrier and see if you can renegotiate.

« Iowa County First In U.S. To Get 911 Texting | Main | Cisco At The Tipping Point? »



Sign Up Now
For InformationWeek News Alerts




This is a public forum. United Business Media and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not control what is posted herein. United Business Media makes no warranties or guarantees concerning any advice dispensed by its staff members or readers.

Community standards in this comment area do not permit hate language, excessive profanity, or other patently offensive language. Please be aware that all information posted to this comment area becomes the property of United Business Media LLC and may be edited and republished in print or electronic format as outlined in United Business Media's Terms of Service.

Important Note: This comment area is NOT intended for commercial messages or solicitations of business.




 
Mobile Video


Sign Up For The Over The Air Newsletter
Every Friday, our experts and analysts explore the business, strategy, and management issues most important to mobile and wireless technology.

Sign up for our free, weekly newsletter today!

Newsletter Archives


 

  1. Detecting Scalability Problems With Intel Parallel Universe Portal
  2. Just Say No To SFAQL Parallelism
  3. QuickThread: A New C++ Multicore Library


Join The InformationWeek Group On LinkedIn


                           


  1. Thoughts On The Motorola Droid
  2. Specs For Next Motorola Android Phone Leak
  3. Encryption Is Cloud Computing Security Savior


  1. Apple Defends App Store Approval Process
  2. Obama Calls For Math, Science Push
  3. Jailbroken iPhones Vulnerable To 'Duh' Worm
  4. AT&T, LG Launch 3G Netbook
  5. NIST Drafts Cybersecurity Guidance
  6. Verizon Nabs Omnia II Smartphone

 

  Ars Technica
Boing Boing
Channel 9 Forums
CRN Blogs
Dr.Dobb's Portal: Blogs
Engadget
Gizmodo
GrokLaw
  Lifehacker
Schneier on Security
Slashdot
TechCrunch
Techdirt
Techmeme
Valleywag

  DECEMBER 2008
NOVEMBER 2008
OCTOBER 2008
SEPTEMBER 2008
AUGUST 2008
JULY 2008
JUNE 2008
MAY 2008
  APRIL 2008
MARCH 2008
FEBRUARY 2008
JANUARY 2008
DECEMBER 2007
NOVEMBER 2007
OCTOBER 2007
SEPTEMBER 2007