What's so good about the iPhone? - 1

And I have no idea how the contracts work. I usually pay as you go… Can i do that with an iPhone 5? And if need be upgrade to a contract later?

You could do that, but the phone itself would be $500. No joke.
Do the contract. There's the Internet, easy photo taking, email, messaging, calling, FaceTime, useful built in apps like notepad & calculator, and the beautiful app store.
Plus it's a big screen but small enuff to fit in most pockets, it's really useful actually. I'm getting on in October, my dad has one.
The 4S has Siri, a built in girl who talks to you so you don't have to type anything, just ask Siri!

IPhone's are really nice phones! People moan that they are to expensive but then they are always going to be because there are so many people who want them even if they do cost a fortune! You could get it on pay as you go but I'd suggest investing in a contract, it would probably be better value. Just look around the shops, or online and you will soon come across some contract deals.
Hope this helped.

If you buy without the contract the phone will be expensive. You can ask ATT how much the exact cost would be.
With the 2-yearcontract 8GB costs @199.

iphone is awesome! Seriously, beats all the android phones on market. However, some people prefer android. I have a blackberry and my husband has the iphone 4. I want to buy the iphone 5 but can't afford it right now. So i would wait.
if you can afford it now then GO ahead.