Like iPods, the iPhone's battery is not easily replaceable, but there are many online guides that show how it can be done. During the warranty period, either standard or extended via AppleCare, Apple will replace a malfunctioning battery gratis. Outside the warranty period, replacement is $79, plus $6.95 shipping. The program cost is $85.95 per unit. All fees are in US dollars and are subject to local tax.

More About iPhone Batteries from Apple

MacWorld's iPhone Battery Article

The typically cited figure is that the LiON battery will lose 20% of it's capacity after 400 charge cycles. So, after a year of daily charging, you should still have 80% recharge capacity.

All I can tell you is my first iphone (now being used by my daughter) is 18 months old and still going strong. I haven't heard anything negative about batteries having to be replaced. I do not know how many charge cycles they are rated for or what the replacement cost would be.

Data Plan for iPhone I don't know if this link will open,but it is a 30.00/mo. fee.

Yup, $30/month for each phone, same as the blackberry. I think the minimum monthly plan ends up being about $80/month.

I thank all of you guys for the help. I think i will go with the T-Mobile [My Touch] for about 50.00/Mo.

Two Year Price Comparison on Super Smartphones by PCWorld:

A brand new unlocked Nexus One, without a contract, will run you $529 at Google's new Android phone store. Right now, for all practical purposes, the phone works only on T-Mobile within the U.S. So let's assume you grab the carrier's $79.99-a-month unlimited talk/text/Web plan, which is currently available without an annual contract.

For consistency in our comparisons, we'll say you're going to use the Nexus One for two years. Add up the phone's cost plus the plan over 24 months, and your wallet is now $2448.76 lighter.

An iPhone 3GS, on a comparable unlimited AT&T plan, would run you $3798.76 over that same two-year time span. A Motorola Droid, on Verizon's unlimited plan, would also cost $3798.76. It all comes down to the carriers' plans: Both AT&T and Verizon charge almost double what T-Mobile does for unlimited talk, messaging, and data service. It's all part of the deal, and it's all money of your pocket.

All considered, then, the Nexus One -- even with the unsubsidized handset pricing -- ends up costing you $1350 less than its contemporaries.

As a T-Mobile customer,i can do an upgrade to the Nexus One for 179.00 for the phone,and 79.99/mo. with a 2 yr. contract.

I am kinda geeky with smartphones (had a BB at my last job...) and now I have a Treo 680.
Its not the latest anything, but if you dont mind being a little geeky, its contacts/calendar/PDA functionality will sync nicely with M$ office (at work), I have the ATT version but they make a Spring/Verizon version also.

I wouldnt recommend the treo 680, I'm not sure they even sell them anymore, but there are newer Treo/Palm OS phones out there, that can be had cheaply on the used/CL market. And once you have the phone, you can shop carriers/plans to whatever you want.

I don't have the data plan, and have 'bundled' with my home phone and home interwebs so I think I am paying $15/m for 200 minutes. (total bill for that cell phone, a landline and basic DSL service is $90-something/mo)

Having a smartphone with no data plan could be annoying if you are used to surfing/texting/downloading porn on your smartphone (lol), but my Treo dials out and recives calls just like any other cell phone so it does all I need...plus it syncs with office pretty easily (USB cable/dock) so I can use it as a PDA.

only caveat - older phones might want a new battery - my treo can kill a battery in a day if I use it a lot, and never goes more than 3 days without a charge - a new battery ($40-$80?) would lengthen these time frames.

-John

__________________
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2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
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Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)