Using the success of the iPod, Apple is set to release what is the hottest item in technology in a matter of days; the iPhone. But is this cell phone worth all the hype it is receiving? Will all the cool features shown in advertisements and promos really work as perfectly as shown? Is the iPhone worth buying?

To start out, the iPhone is one of the most revolutionary pieces of cell phone technology to ever hit the open market; there is no question about that. Not only does the iPhone function as a perfectly working device for calling others, it also features all the benefits of an iPod. Music, photos, and video files can all be stored and viewed just like with the current-generation iPods. In addition, the iPhone will also be able to access the internet and display popular sites such as YouTube and Yahoo, using Apple’s patented Safari web browser. And of course the phone features the common perks of other cell phones it competes with such as a built-in camera and e-mail checker.

While that all sounds great, the benefits of the iPhone may pale in comparison to the costs. To start out with, the iPhone runs for around $500, for the low-end version with less memory, to $600, for the high-end version with more memory. That is a lot of dough to shell out for a cell phone. Especially when one considers that a 80 gigabyte iPod, that is 10 times the storage amount of the high-end iPhone, plus a cheap cell phone will run at least $200 less.

To top off the high initial cost, Apple also has an exclusive deal with AT&T to provide the iPhones. This means that anyone with an iPhone has to use AT&T service. While most cell phone service carriers offer discounts on specialized phones in exchange for cellular plan commitments, few phones carry exclusive rights. Switching from an old carrier to AT&T can cost a couple hundred dollars, the cost of early termination, extra.

So is this revolutionary cell phone really worth the high product cost, the possible high carrier switching cost, and the inevitably high annual service cost? Unless you are a real huge Apple enthusiast, the answer should be no. The fact is that new and better cell phones come out each and every year. Expect to see many iPhone copies out in the market within six to twelve months from now. Without the Apple name, these phones should come at a lower cost and allow one to choose their service provider themselves.

And if you can’t stand to wait for the new technology, just take the advice given earlier in the post and buy both an iPod and a new, yet somewhat outdated, cell phone with a decent camera. Remember that no matter how cool the iPhone looks, it is just a cell phone that should primarily be used for phone calls. And a cell phone should not cost anyone $600-$1000.