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With multiple mobile networks around the world jumping on the Apple iPhone bandwagon, many consumers tied-to or brand loyal to these networks will be considering a move to the iPhone. However, are many of these customers simply jumping for a quick buy, expedited by the imminent marketing campaigns by the network carriers?

We’re nearly 6 months away from the (dead-cert) annual iPhone refresh in June 2010, so would it be a wise and calculated move to hold fire on an upgrade or new purchase until then? We’ll look at both sides of the argument.

Buy an iPhone 3GS now!

For consumers without an iPhone it is difficult to convince you not to get an iPhone as soon as. The increased functionality the iPhone will give you over your old device will more than pay for the contract (and phone) price. After a couple of weeks of use, you will soon wonder how you coped with your old phone – be it a Blackberry, Samsung, Nokia or Sony Ericcson that the iPhone replace.

Cutting Edge Features:

• 3MP camera/ video camera
• 3.5G HSPDA 7.2Mbps
• Compass combined with GPS, Google Maps and Google Street View – a winning combination!
• App Store…100,000 Apps and counting.

But wait 7 months and you might get an iPhone 4G!?:

• More memory, 32GB might go to 64GB? With all those Apps/ SatNav/ Videos/ Music/ Movies, you will soon run out of memory with the 32GB iPhone 3GS
• Quicker network – will we see WiMAX or LTE 4th Generation Radio Technologies? Theoretical speeds of 172Mb/s download, 86Mb/s upload, (we’ll never see those speeds though!). Also there are hardly any 4G networks around.
• Faster processor using less energy. With Intel developing smaller nano metre processors that consume fractions of the power, Apple might look to change their iPhone’s CPU with Intel’s variety – following the Mac’s lead. More power – less energy.
• OLED Screen – Vivid colours, lower electical consumption

Exciting possibility!

Apple is unlikely to add all of those on the wish list, but the technology is there, so it isn’t impossible to do. It will come down to price, space and battery performance at the end of the day, and hopefully Apple will work its magic to make it all happen.

There is no questions that the Apple iPhone is THE phone to have in its extensive functionality, looks, and overall appeal. However Apple need to remain at the cutting edge of mobile phone design, not simply add more memory, and odd features here and there as they did with the iPhone 3GS from the iPhone 3G; they will soon loose out to the likes of Google Andriod devices on this front if they do this.