If you want to use an unlocked phone and maximize your revenue as a customer, simply get an iPhone 4 on contract with AT&T, put the SIM in $GENERIC_SMARTPHONE, unlock it, and sell it on eBay for around $750.
Maximum profit as a consumer as the $750 spread over the 24 month contract gives you an effective $31.25 a month discount. Plus, you get it up front so you can invest it or do whatever you want with the money.
My corporation qualifies me for a 20% AT&T discount. I could effectively keep my iPhone 3GS, which works just great, and reduce my phone bill from $66 a month down to $35 - and still have unlimited data as a grandfathered plan.
That's likely what I'll do next time my contract is up... but it would really be easier and better for everyone involved if the carriers would just charge you less or pay you a cash bonus at the end of your contract (etc).
Maximum profit as a consumer as the $750 spread over the 24 month contract gives you an effective $31.25 a month discount. Plus, you get it up front so you can invest it or do whatever you want with the money.
My corporation qualifies me for a 20% AT&T discount. I could effectively keep my iPhone 3GS, which works just great, and reduce my phone bill from $66 a month down to $35 - and still have unlimited data as a grandfathered plan.
The game works if you know how to play it... ;-)