Using an iPhone as an iPod touch?

[jjmcray]

Hello. I was just wondering if it would be possible to buy the iPhone without using it's phone capabilities and just use it as an iPod touch. As you may or may not know, an 8GB iPhone is cheaper than an 8GB iPod touch. So, is this possible? Or does the phone have to be activated with the ATT phone service in order to use any of its features?

[Ryandel]

Ya, I saw an article about this somewhere. You can buy the iPhone without the phone service and such. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure you are. Ask the service provider that's selling them.

-Alex D

[SirRawrsalot]

You can also do the opposite, but it's illegal so i'll say no more so I don't get banned or warned.

Ya you can. I don't see a reason why not,

[jjmcray]

Yeah, but are you sure you dont have to activate or unlock the phone in order to use it's music player? Or would I just have to buy an "unlocked" iPhone off ebay or something?

[MrPinnick17]

Yeah I think it has to be activated. If I'm not mistaken the new iPhone 3G, is cheaper ($199) than it's predecessor because you are locked into a 2 year contract which includes a voice/data plan. I think if you wanted to buy the iPhone out right it would be the regular $399/$499 like it previously was.

With the old iPhone you were paying the full price for it, and I don't think you had to get a contract extension. I would just get a iPod touch, you can get a refurbished one for cheap on ebay or just find a used one in good shape.

http://www.consumerdepot.com/products.asp?id=MA627LLAF&referer=google

Refurbished 16GB touch, $279.99. I'm sure you could find one with a smaller hard drive for cheaper, good luck!

[Brandon639]

You may buy the iPhone 3G to use just as an iPod touch but not now and for a minimum of $600. This is because AT&T doesnt want to take a hit for you not getting a plan. If you wanted to buy it for $200, you would have to sign up for a 2 year contract right there and then. This is to try and cut down on jailbreakers. If you buy the old iPhone, use iLiberty+ or ZiPhone or Pwnage and you can activate plus jailbreak, but whatever you do, dont upgrade to 2.0 just yet, it has been jailbroken but they haven't released the method yet. And for people who think jailbreaking is illegal, its not. You buy the phone, you own every part of it, therefor, you can do whatever you please.

Hope this helps,
Brandon

[Bryan B]

You may buy the iPhone 3G to use just as an iPod touch but not now and for a minimum of $600. This is because AT&T doesnt want to take a hit for you not getting a plan. If you wanted to buy it for $200, you would have to sign up for a 2 year contract right there and then. This is to try and cut down on jailbreakers. If you buy the old iPhone, use iLiberty+ or ZiPhone or Pwnage and you can activate plus jailbreak, but whatever you do, dont upgrade to 2.0 just yet, it has been jailbroken but they haven't released the method yet. And for people who think jailbreaking is illegal, its not. You buy the phone, you own every part of it, therefor, you can do whatever you please.

Hope this helps,
Brandon

Yeah exactly, but idk if u will need now with the new iPhone 3G do the activation on a Apple Store or AT&T so if is like that u will need to buy an old one

[CTRL.ALT.the leet]

Sorry you can't.
When you buy the phone in the store it must be activated in the store.