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Why I'm in no hurry to get an iPhone 5

Apple has taken the wrapping off the latest iPhone, and while I will probably get one in time I am in no hurry. Thank the carriers for that.
Written by James Kendrick, Contributor
iPhone 5 Wait

There are obviously a lot of very tired people today, having stayed up late (or wakened early) to preorder the iPhone 5. Every new iPhone sells out early when preorders go live, and indications are the iPhone 5 is no different. It only took 60 minutes for the ship date on new iPhones to move from the one weeks promised to two weeks.

I think Apple nailed the iPhone 5 just right. There is copious grousing on the web about the lack of innovation, but I find the update to be solid. Just adding LTE to the iPhone 5 is a huge step forward, no matter how many other phones already have it. Once you go 4G you don't want to go back, and that's now available on the iPhone.

As much as I like the iPhone 5 I didn't order one like the millions who did. My iPhone 4S is still serving me well even without LTE, and more importantly it is still under contract with Verizon. I don't have an unlimited data plan, I am rocking a Share Everything plan that gives me a 10GB bucket of data to share with my iPhone 4S, iPad 3, and my mobile hotspot device.

The only option available to me to get an iPhone 5 is at full price as my current contract doesn't expire until next year. Since I would likely get a 64GB iPhone 5 (black) that would set me back a staggering $849. My buddy Matt Miller found it worth it to spend almost that much to keep his unlimited data plan, but I'm in no hurry to do the same. I'm reluctant to spend that much on any phone. Even the iPhone 5.

More: Apple's iPhone 5 upgrade cycle secured with global LTE, 4G support Apple announces iPhone 5: What you need to know | The Apple iPhone 5: Now or later? | iPhone fantasies, Android phones realities | What could go wrong with the iPhone 5 launchTech leaders vacillate on iPhone 5, with growing anticipation of Windows 8 | Samsung vs. Apple: Are LTE patents the next battleground? | All ZDNet iPhone coverage | All CNET iPhone coverage | Techmeme | Apple statement

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