10 Reasons not to Buy Next iPhone 4G / HD

10 Reasons not to Buy Next iPhone 4G / HD
by Brian Mullock on May 2, 2010

Fourth generation Next iPhone 4G will be released at Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2010 and is expected to be unveiled during a keynote address by Steve Jobs. Before the official release Gizmodo already got hold of Lost iPhone 4G phone, which was later dismantled and reviewed in detail. Although, purported iPhone 4G images and videos might have enticed many users to buy it (as soon as it arrives), but there are certain reasons and missing features that might stop them to actually go for it. Some of these are related to application functions and others are more hardware related.


Flash Support in Safari – iPhone users are waiting since long for Apple to integrate Adobe Flash support into its Safari browser. But Steve Jobs HATE Flash and recently wrote an open letter to cite enough reasons like security and performance, iPhone battery life and more. He blatantly said ‘NO’ to support flash content in iPhone firmware and instead suggested others to use WebKit and HTML5 instead.
Carrier Restriction (AT&T) – We all are aware that AT&T coverage sucks! However, there are speculations that the exclusivity deal between iPhone and AT&T will come to an end in 2010. In past six months Verizon was in talks with Apple to gain access to the iPhone and the iPad, though no official news resulted. If the exclusivity between iPhone and AT&T continues, many of the users may not buy iPhone 4G.
Global Conversations – AT&T does not support Skype Mobile (including international calling plans) on iPhone and need to work out with Apple to allow IP phone calls to run over the cellular data network.
Tethering with AT&T – Tethering is currently available by AT&T in other countries like Canada and the U.K.  Users in USA are still waiting badly for it. Those who don’t know, tethering allows you to share your internet connection with your computer.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) syncing – Instead of connecting your iPhone and computer with USB cable for syncing, it could have been nice if Steve have provided it over Wi-Fi. Currently, we connect our iPhone to computer for syncing. In order to compete with Android phones that never uses computer for syncing, apple must remove the middleman wherever “USB Connectivity” is required.
However, Greg Hughes has developed Wi-Fi Sync app that allows you to completely sync your iPhone or iPod touch with iTunes without having to tether and will be submitting it to Appstore for approval.
FM Radio – Many users love to listen retro style FM Radio. But Apple iPhone 4.0 is missing it, so will iPhone 4G. It is such a pain relying on an external contraption.
External Storage (MicroSD) – Most of the cell phones have included a MicroSD card slot, allowing you to add files, music, photos, etc. easily. It is really ridiculous that the iPhone 4G doesn’t have an SD card slot built-in. It is bit strange that Steve is providing 5MP camera but not SD card slot. Just think about photographers. The MicroSD card slot would allow them to quickly preview their shots on a large screen. Mass storage mode in iPhone 4G could have allowed user to just drag and drop files from our computer to the iPhone without using a third-party application.
Installing third party apps – iPhone user cannot install third party applications outside iTunes. In order to install you need to jailbreak your idevice, making your warranty void. Apple approves the entry into their appstore for apps of their choice only.
Cannot Replace the battery - iPhone users cannot replace battery easily by themselves.
Price – AT&T need o provide affordable unlimited calling plan for iPhone users.  Currently, the unlimited calling plan is priced at $70 per month. The data plan adds $30 and the messaging plan adds-up another $20, which becomes $120 per month. Sprint on the other hand is offering a $70 per month plan for unlimited calling, texting and web browsing. The data plans now needs a strategic alignment from both Apple and AT&T. If the calling plans are not reduced, I will not be continuing with iPhone with AT&T anymore.
There might be other good reasons as well. What other reason you think might stop you to actually buy iPhone 4G? Please share your opinions!