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Trying to figure out if the iPhone is for you? Should you get it now or wait for the next generation to decide? Should you go with the flagship iPhone 4S or maybe a cheaper iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS? Should you go with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint? Is 16GB enough or do you need 32GB or even 64GB? Is white the best looking color or black a better bet? And what can you do with your old phone once you’ve taken the plunge?

Enter TiPb’s 2011 iPhone Buyer’s Guide. If you need help deciding, we’ve got your back. And hey, if you already know what you want, just copy this link and mail, tweet, or Facebook it to your family or friends — we’ll help them out so you won’t have to!

Should you buy an iPhone or something else?

iPhone 4S is a phenomenal phone, and while the outside hasn’t changed since last year the insides are all new, and all powerful. Twice as fast for computing, 7x as fast for graphics, with a 64GB option and a new 8 megapixel, F2.4, 1080p camera that puts a lot of point and shoots to shame, it’s competitive with anything else on the market. But it’s not the only device on the market and no one device is right for everyone anyway.

Here’s the deal — if you want something that “just works”, that brings the best internet, apps, and games experience, that’s supported by the massive iTunes and Apple ecosystem (tons of movies, TV shows, cases and accessories), and that allows some hacking via Jailbreak, then iPhone might be for you.

If you’re not sure, we’ve written up a full breakdown, with all the pros on cons on whether or not you should get an iPhone 4S, if you should upgrade from an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, or original iPhone, or an Android, BlackBerry, webOS, or Windows Phone, or from a feature phone.

• Should you get an iPhone 4S?

Which iPhone should you buy?

Maybe you’ve decided to get an iPhone but you’re not entirely sold on the top-of-the-line iPhone 4S. Fair enough. Apple currently has 3 models on the market with different specs and price points. Here’s how they stack up, both up front and in total cost of ownership terms over a 2 year contract.

• iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, or iPhone 3GS: Which should you get?iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, or iPhone 3GS: Which should you get?

To help you get an ever better sense of what you can save compared to what you give up, here are our reviews of the previous generation iPhones:

• iPhone 4 review
• iPhone 3GS review

When should you buy an iPhone?

So you know you’re getting an iPhone and you know which one you’re getting, your next decision is whether you should go get one now or wait for Apple to release the next generation iPhone next year and get more phone for the same price.

Buy in Fall

Apple has usually announced a new iPhone once a year, every year during the month of June. This year they waited until October, and they may well do that again next year. If you’re reading this in in the fall or winter of 2011, a new iPhone has just been released and you can safely go buy it without worrying that it’ll be made obsolete for roughly another year.

Stay away in summer

Conversely, if you’re reading this in summer or fall 2012, Apple is probably just about to announce another new iPhone and unless you don’t care and absolutely, positively have to have a new phone now, now, now you should hold off until they do. So far every new iPhone has been the same price — $199 and $299 (and now $399)– as the old one but offers way more hardware bang for the buck. At the same time the old model has so far been dropped in price (to $99 or ever free for the 2-year old model) so you can save if you need to.

In between, buy when you need

If you’re reading this smack dab at the 6 month point, around spring of 2012, and you want to know if you should buy, here’s the simple question to ask: Do you need it now?

If you’ve broken your current phone, lost it, or otherwise simply have to buy a new iPhone now get it and have no regrets. There will always be something new on the horizon but that won’t help you if you need a phone now.

If you don’t need it but just want it, wait as long as you possibly can wait then buy the best iPhone available when you can’t wait any more.

What can you do with your old phone?

If you’re getting a new iPhone, you may be wondering what you can do with your old phone. There’s always the option of keeping it around as a backup, or if it’s an old iPhone or smartphone, keeping it around as a media player (old iPhones make great iPods!). You could also give it to a friend or family member who needs it and would appreciate it.

Selling it is something you might also want to consider. There are a lot of options and a lot of things you need to keep in mind so you get the most money, and don’t get ripped off.

• How to sell your old iPhone before upgrading to the iPhone 4S

Which carrier network should you choose?

Once you’ve decided to pull the trigger on a new iPhone, the first thing you need to figure out is which carrier you want to use. It doesn’t matter how good a phone is if you can’t use it due to poor reception or data.

If you only have one good carrier in your area, that’s the carrier you should go with. If you have two or more carriers that are all pretty much the same in your area, then it comes down to things like customer service, whether or not you already have a plan (especially business plans or family plans that would penalize you for switching, etc.), coverage in areas you may travel too, overall speed and reliability of the network, etc. If you’re not sure ask your neighbors and colleagues which carriers they use and what they think of the service. Wherever you use your iPhone most, find out which carrier makes the people there the happiest.

AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint

In the US there’s currently a bigger decision to be made because the three iPhone carriers use different network technologies: AT&T on GSM and Verizon and Sprint on CDMA. Speed vs. coverage vs. reliability — you have some choices to make. You won’t be able to change later without breaking your contract and buying a new phone (they’re not cross-compatible) so think it through. Here’s some more information to help you decide:

• AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint: Which iPhone 4S should you choose?
• Verizon and Sprint iPhone 4S and the limitations of CDMA

Note: iPhone 4S is a world phone, which means even if you buy the Verizon or Sprint CDMA models, you will be able to travel and roam on international GSM carriers as well.

Does storage size matter?

The iPhone comes in 16GB and 32GB, and for the first time ever, iPhone 4S comes in 64GB as well. But how much is enough? And will Apple’s new online iCloud service mean you can get by with less local storage?

It costs $100 for every step up in storage, so it might be tempting to save some cash up front. However, games, movies, TV shows, and all the big photos and giant videos you shoot with your iPhone can add up.

We’ve broken down the prices and capacities, so if you’re weighing your options, here what you should consider:

• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB: Which iPhone 4S capacity should you get?

Black or white, which iPhone color looks best?

iPhones come in any color you want — as long as it’s black or white. Most often, one look is enough to know your favorite. However, there are some things to think about. Is the white color distracting when you play games or watch videos? Does it discolor over time? Does it have any issues with cases or other accessories?

We’ve gone over each of these, and here are the answers:

• Black or white: Which iPhone 4S color should you choose?

Where to buy?

That’s it. You know you’re getting an iPhone, you know when, and you know on which carrier. You’ve done your homework, you’ve made your choice, and now it’s time buy. But where you should you buy it?

Apple Retail and Apple Online

If you have an Apple Retail Store in your area you can go there, and if it’s in stock, leave with your new iPhone right away. They also offer help with your purchase and will even help you get set up free of charge. If you’re worried about protecting your investment, they can also get you setup with AppleCare, and their Genius Bar can help you with hardware problems in the future. Corny as it sounds, It’s not just shopping, it’s an experience. Apple Retail has the best customer service in the business and it shows. There are no discounts, however, not ever.

If there’s no Apple Retail store near you there’s also Apple Online in many countries. Again, no discounts but you’re dealing directly with Apple.

In a lot of countries, Apple Retail and Apple Online are also the only places where you can get full price, officially unlocked GSM iPhones if that’s an option you want. (Can be handy for frequent international travelers.)

Carrier Stores and big boxes

If you want brick-and-morter but don’t have an Apple Store, your carrier will often have one or several stores in your area. Drop buy or get it shipped to you. If you’re getting a upgrade discount or other carrier incentives it’s a great way to get it all setup right away.

Big box and chain retailers, everything from Best Buy to the Shack to Tesco also carry iPhones. If you have loyalty points or they’re just super convenient, check them out as well.

Buyer beware

Shady operators also try to sell discount iPhones, sometimes devices that aren’t even really iPhones but cheap — and highly breakable — knockoffs. It goes without saying you should avoid those. Any deal too good to be true probably is. If you save money only to end up with a phone that doesn’t run iOS and may not even run on your carrier you really just wasted your money.

After you buy

Once you’ve gotten your new iPhone and are ready to set it up, get apps, get accessories, maybe get Jailbroken, here’s how to get going:

• iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad starters guide

Need more help?

No article can cover every detail or address every unique circumstance or concern. Luckily TiPb also hosts the iPhone Forums, a vast community where users can ask questions, give feedback, and get help. Check them out:

• iPhone discussion and help forums

Hello everyone and welcome to a little feature we like to call the TiPb celebrity iPhone and iPad sightings roundup! Time to take a little break from your daily routine and relax with a little gossip from the world of the rich and famous. What do all of these celebrities have in common? They all were spotted with an iPhone or iPad, of course. Check out a ton of pictures after the break, and if you spot a celebrity rocking an iPhone or iPad, drop us an email at news@tipb.com so we can include them in the next roundup, next week!

Please note: Some pictures may from time-to-time be NSFW (Not Safe For Work) so use discretion when viewing.

Demi Moore on the set of Magic Mike, staring intently at her iPhone. Too bad about her and Ashton Kutcher, looks like they’re breaking up.

Alexander Skarsgard has a hot lunch date with his iPad 2 in New York City.

Ashley Tisdale has a hardcore case on her iPhone. She’s seen here going to or leaving the gym.

Ashley Greene is probably best known for her role as Alice Cullen in those Twilight movies. Well now she’s also famous for wearing jeggings (Google them) and owning a white iPhone.

Actress Sarah Hyland is seen here with her iPhone in a super brightly colored case. Not sure who she is? I didn’t know either, but apparently she’s on that show Modern Family.

Vanessa Hudgens proves that even if you’re rich and famous, you can dress like you’re not anytime. She’s a long time iPhone user.

I finally saw Showgirls a few years back. It’s one of those movies that is so bad, you can’t stop watching. They just filmed a sequel, and the star of that long-awaited movie, Paula LaBaredas, is seen here with her iPhone having some frozen yogurt in west Hollywood.

Miley Cyrus. Once a semi-wholesome girl with that whole Hannah Montana gig, now a trampy looking young adult.

Lacey Schwimmer and her iPhone are spotted leaving Dancing With the Stars rehearsal. She should put some pants on, maybe.

Jordana Brewster is super cute. The Fast and the Furious star was snapped with her white iPhone in Beverly Hills.

Hilary Duff has a bedazzled iPhone case. The pregnant actress is headed to pilates class in Toluca Lake, CA.

This picture cracked me up. She’s not even peeing, just sitting there. It’s Eliza Coupe, from that new show Happy Endings, and I guess she was bored before filming.

Look, it’s Blake Lively on the set of Gossip Girls, with a white iPhone in a fancy case.

Here’s Blake Lively (purportedly) again..umm.. not on the set of Gossip Girl. Someone needs to teach these celebs about internet and cell phone security.

See you next week!

If you are a fan of the original Fruit Ninja game then you are in for a bit of a treat with the newly announced Fruit Ninja Puss in Boots. Fruit Ninja Puss in Boots is a game with a tie in to a movie, this time it is DreamWorks Puss in Boots movie.

Before you go off and assume that this will be the same game with a few cat references, it looks to be much more than that. It is actually a good upgrade to the original game, with more blades and backgrounds, new magic bean powered Desperado Mode and much more.

Even better is the price, it will only be $0.99 for the iPhone and iPod touch version but you will still need to pay extra for the iPad version; which comes in at $1.99. Fruit Ninja Puss in Boots should arrive in the App Store on October 20^th. Take a look at the trailer below!

Source: touchArcade

 

iPhone 4S is the first iPhone to have both Verizon and Sprint CDMA versions available alongside the AT&T GSM version. CDMA is famous for its rock solid reliability and call quality and now that iPhone 4S is a world phone, it can even roam on international GSM network. However, CDMA brings with it some downsides as well, including lack of simultaneous voice and data over 3G, subtle quirks to SMS, and greatly reduced conference call options.

None of these are unique to iPhone 4S on Verizon or Sprint, but they’re something to keep in mind if you’re thinking of switching to one of those networks now that they have iPhone 4S.

So here’s the deal.

There are some great advantages to CDMA. It tends to need less towers to cover greater areas so CDMA networks typically have better reception in more places. This also means they tend to sound better, more often for voice calls. If you use your iPhone as a phone — who knew? — and that’s the most important thing to you, or if Verizon or Sprint provide the only reliable coverage in your area, than case closed.

If cost is a factor, well we’ve already put together that breakdown for you.

• AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint: Which iPhone 4S should you choose?

But if you want to know what you’re getting into when it comes to the data and conference calling tradeoffs, there are several things to consider.

Note: We’ll be using a lot of tech terms, so see our wireless networking guide for more on what all these acronyms mean.

Slower 3G data

iPhone 4S on AT&T and other GSM networks supports 14.4 Mbps HSPA+ download speeds. Depending on where you live, you may never get anywhere near that speed in the real world, but the potential is there.

By contrast, while CDMA-2000 give Verizon and Sprint great voice, their EV-DO rev A 3G data speeds are theoretically limited to about 3.1 Mbps.

No simultaneous voice and data

Verizon and Sprint’s EV-DO Rev. A network does not support simultaneous voice and data the way HSPA and HSPA+ does for AT&T (and other GSM carriers).

That means if a call comes in while you’re using 3G data — surfing the web, Skyping, sharing your connection via personal hotspot — you can either ignore the call and continue using 3G data, or answer the call and effectively put your 3G data connection on “pause”. If you’re on a call you won’t receive email or push notifications and if you try to surf the web or download an app you’ll be informed you’re not connected to the 3G network. Once the call ends, 3G data reconnects and you can start using the internet again.

If you’re on Wi-Fi as opposed to 3G data you can make calls and use data without a problem. It’s only 3G data that cuts out during calls.

Verizon and Sprint have chosen not to roll out EV-DO Rev. B, which does support simultaneous data in favor of more quickly deploying a 4G LTE network (currently a hybrid CDMA-voice with LTE-data network, in the future a Voice over LTE network) and WiMax with LTE to follow, respectively. There are some phones that support Voice over Rev A (VoRA) aka SVDO which will allow for simultaneous voice and data on CDMA/EV-DO phones, but not the Verizon or Sprint iPhone. (See The Cell Phone Junky for more on the technology.)

SMS/Text splitting

SMS/Text messages are limited to 160 characters. On many phones, if a message exceeds 160 characters, the OS will be able to put it back together and still show it as a single message to both the sender and receiver.

On CDMA networks this doesn’t always seem to work as well as on GSM and once an SMS hits 160 characters, any additional text is split off into a second message, after 320, a third message, etc. The same content is still delivered, it’s just not presented as nicely. (In some cases the message parts might even appear out of order which is even more annoying.)

Again, some users claim to seldom if ever experience this problem in the real world, others say it happens often enough to annoy them.

Limited conference calling

Verizon and Sprint’s CDMA networks only supports “3 way calling” so you can only enter into a conference call with up to 2 other people (3 including yourself) at the same time. It doesn’t matter if iPhone can handle more, CSMA networks and hence the Verizon and Sprint iPhone is limited to 3-way calling.

Likewise, handling conference calls is also more challenging on the CDMA iPhones since you can’t take one party “private” or hang up on one caller while keeping the other active. You can only hang up on all of them at once.

Apple provides the following diagram in their knowledge base:

The network

So yes, overall there are a lot of limitations to the way CDMA handles voice. However, if Verizon or Sprint has great coverage in your area, you’re on Wi-Fi when you want to talk and surf, split SMS/Text messages rarely happen or don’t bother you, and agile conference calling isn’t a must-have business feature for your iPhone, you may not care.

Otherwise it’s a compromise. Decide what’s most important to you and which carrier best provides it. If anything is a deal-breaker, then that makes your choice much simpler.

For more information and help check out our iPhone 4S Forum.