iPhone 4… am I a fool?

I’ve already mentioned my disdain for using my iPhone 3G with iOS4.  Yesterday was my breaking point.  I either was going to order a new phone or pull out my backup flip phone and shut down my data plan for 6 months until I could upgrade.  After some talking with ATT, they actually seemed empathetic toward my situation but expressed their limited ability to act due to Apple’s strict pricing agreement.  So they offered to credit my bill to make up for not getting the full discount on the phone (since I’m 6 months from upgrading, I get a price in-between the 2 year price and full MSRP).  So I’m now on the waiting list at the Apple Store.

I feel suckered… this is exactly what Apple wants.  You get teased with the great features of the new product, realize your current one can’t come close to handling those features, feel compelled to upgrade your hardware.  But what are my real alternatives?  I live a very plugged-in lifestyle and would really not want to go an extended period of time without a mobile internet device.  Despite the improvements, the Droids are still not at the point where you can do everything you do with your iPhone (but they are getting quite close) and let’s face it, Blackberry is falling way behind.  I like the Apple phone, I like the OS.  Despite having a fairly high aptitude for technology, I do enjoy not having to exert too much energy thinking of how to accomplish tasks and simply being able to do what I want with ease (productivity and usability are the signatures of almost any Apple product).  By all accounts, performance on the iPhone 4 is not an issue, so if I get the same functionality I have now, minus the performance issues, with additional desirable features (better camera, better display, some sort of multi-task, etc) I should be content with the outcome.  I still feel a bit suckered.  A bit used.

PS – for any of my 12 or so readers: If you don’t like ATT, just know this; I don’t like any mobile provider.  However, I get a way better than average price through ATT and live in an area with great coverage.  So the dropped call, no coverage issue has been a non-factor for me.  The good price makes it foolish to switch.  Just wanted to throw that in before some Verizon or Sprint fanboy chimed in.