Does getting iPhones make sense?

The topic of iPhones came up at a family gathering yesterday and iPhone users were quite supportive of the usefulness of their iPhones ('you can def. get along without them, but you'll wonder how you ever did so once you have one').  Still, I don't see how they make sense from a cost standpoint.  My current cell phone plan for two very basic phones -- basically voice only -- is $58 (which is probably too much).  If I got two iPhones for a total of $400, I'd have a monthly plan cost of around $160 or so (voice, data, minimal texting), i.e. $1,200 more per year.  I could toss in a 3rd phone for kid #1, who really wants one, without raising the plan cost much, but that just runs the risk that she'll loose it or misuse it as a distraction.

I'm all for tech gadgets, but I don't see the point given the cost.   

The iPhone 5 comes out early October. 

And yes, we do have a land line we could think about dropping, but I don't see that happening. 

Update #1: Jody comments:

Yeah, I keep doing the numbers and reaching the same conclusion(s). I figure we'll have to do the math again when the kids all get their mobiles in a few years, and until then, our $60 monthly plan is fine.

Update #2: my wife does point out that lots of iPhones seem to be paid for by employers.  I've never had a business phone, nor do I want to be reachable before or after work. 

Comments

[Jody]

Yeah, I keep doing the numbers and reaching the same conclusion(s).

I figure we'll have to do the math again when the kids all get their mobiles in a few years, and until then, our $60 monthly plan is fine.

[tc]

of course if you only think of it as a device to make calls it's not worth it - but it does way more than that. really. it's become my primary reading device (with the kindle app), GPS, restaurant finder, note taker...