Can I use an old iPhone 4s without having phone service on it?

My friend is going to give me his iPhone 4s that he doesn't use anymore and I only plan on using it as an iPod Touch basically, only gonna use it for Wi-Fi/apps/music. However, another friend told me iPhone's can't be used unless you have a phone provider with it. Is this true?

You still should be able to link to a w-fi connection or text other people with iphones. Even though you don't have service

No you can use it without service… Thats crazy if you couldnt… But the thing is you can

Your other friend is wrong. You can use an old iPhone as like a "game" phone. My little cousin's parents got tired of letting their little one play on their expensive phones so when their upgrade can't they kept all the games on it so she could play on it any they didn't have to worry about her calling of texting anyone by accident or smashing it on the ground.

Gs up.