AT&T iPhone 3G Upgrades and Eligibility

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

It seems there's a lot of confusion about iPhone 3G upgrades and activation. Here's what is known at the moment to try to clarify the confusion. All of this applies to the U.S. and AT&T only.

The iPhone 3G is a subsidized mobile phone, which means that AT&T is paying ~$200 to discount the phone down to its final price. $199 for 8GB or $299 for 16GB. The reason AT&T is subsidizing the phone is because they expect to make more than $200 over the lifetime of a 2 year contract. For the iPhone 3G, the contract includes $30/month for 3G data, and at least $39/month for the low end voice contract.

If you currently own:

1st Generation iPhone

If you bought it on or after May 27th, you are eligible to receive a free upgrade to the iPhone 3G when it launches. You will also get a refund for the difference in the price.

If you bought it before May 27th, you may buy a new iPhone for $199 (8GB) or $299 (16GB) but will have to sign a new two year contract starting on the day you buy the new iPhone. This cancels and replaces your existing AT&T iPhone contract.

AT&T Mobile Phone (not iPhone)

AT&T generally allows individuals to take advantage of a subsidized phone once every 2 years. A new memo clarifies this point. If you are an AT&T customer, you must either have completed a 24 month contract or meet these requirements to be able to purchase the iPhone 3G for $199/$299 prices:
#1. Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing at least $68.99 a month but no more than $98.99 a month, and who has been in contract (and not had a phone upgrade) for 21 months or more,
or
#2. Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing $99 a month or more, and who has been in contract (and not upgraded) in the last 12 months.
or
#3. A customer with a calling plan and data services of less than $69 who is 21 to 23 months into contract may upgrade for a fee and a commitment of an additional two-year service contract extension.

No upgrade fee is assessed for any customers who are on a month-to-month agreement.

If you are not eligible, AT&T expects to announce the higher unsubsidized iPhone 3G price in the future. This price can be expected to be about $200 higher.

Alternatively, you can cancel your existing mobile phone contract and pay the $175 early termination fee, you will probably then be eligible for the $199/$299 iPhone 3G.

Non AT&T Mobile Phone

If you are under contract with another mobile phone provider, you may be subject to an early termination fee if you cancel your contract prematurely. You will need to contact your provider for those details, but you will be able to get the iPhone 3G from AT&T at the $199/$299 prices. If you would like to transfer your current mobile phone number to the iPhone 3G, you should not cancel your current service. Instead, you should initiate the phone number transfer from AT&T when you buy the iPhone 3G.

What If...

What if I want to buy an iPhone 3G and not use it on A&T?

There are a number of issues regarding this. First, the iPhone 3G firmware has not been unlocked, despite reports. The final iPhone 3G firmware is said to be different than the current 2.0 betas. So, you may not be able to unlock it at all.

If you are able to unlock it, you won't be able to use the iPhone 3G on any other carrier in the U.S. T-Mobile doesn't support the same 3G network that the iPhone uses. So while you might be able to make phone calls on T-Mobile, you won't be able to use 3G data.

If you must have an iPhone 3G outside of an AT&T contract, here are the steps. Buy an iPhone at $199/$299. Wait 30 days. Pay one month of service. Cancel your account. Pay $175 early termination fee. There, you have an iPhone 3G without AT&T contract. If you cancel your account before one month of service, you will have to return the iPhone to AT&T.

Read Full Article (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/16/atandt-iphone-3g-upgrades-and-activation/)

[zephead]

Hmm... Since this would mean I'm ineligible for an upgrade (re-upped last August or so), would anyone happen to know if it would work to grab a 1st-gen iPhone off Craigslist, go to AT&T and have them give me a 16GB iPhone 3G for $299?

[bigmc6000]

Hmm... Since this would mean I'm ineligible for an upgrade (re-upped last August or so), would anyone happen to know if it would work to grab a 1st-gen iPhone off Craigslist, go to AT&T and have them give me a 16GB iPhone 3G for $299?

Hmm - you REALLY want a new iPhone that bad? Well - I guess it MIGHT work. I wouldn't put it past AT&T to give ya the shaft tho.

This is pretty decent except for the fact that they aren't offering a non-subsidized version for those who can't upgrade. Glad to see they are taking care of the 1st Gen iPhone owners.

[deannnnn]

So AT&T is punishing their own customers?!?
That's cold, AT&T. That's cold.

[Diode]

Wow if I didn't think things could get any more confusing.

Couldn't AT&T just go ahead and finalize the details already .... I have a feeling the iPhone is not being released until the 11th of July is because nothing plan related was finalized at the time of the keynote.

[Diode]

So AT&T is punishing their own customers?!?
That's cold, AT&T. That's cold.

Punish as in how? You can't get cheap discounts on phones as current customer unless your eligible for a upgrade. I think the upgrade comes every 18 months ....

[GreenFreaK]

I believe that AT&T will post a non-subsidized price before July 11th because they won't want to miss out on the sale. that's like saying, "no, I don't want your $500."

[alphajerk]

So, if you are not eligible, you should still be able to get an iPhone for $499, etc., just like the first gen. people paid in the first place. IT probably would have been better if Jobs had presented it this way. The new phone cost $499, but hey, good news it will be subsidized if you are eligible. At the conference, they just made it sound like it was going to be $299 no matter what, which was slightly misinforming. In the end, I suspect, people will fork over the dough to get one.

[DubbleDuecer]

Question though. I think I am in both groups, do i get the cheap price or not? I am currently a 1st iphone owner. I switched to AT&T about 10 months ago(got a blackjack for 50 dollars) 2 months into my contract i bought the Iphone since no matter how long you have been in contract it just started you over for 400 bones. So technically i dont qualify for upgrade because I got the black jack 10 months ago for subsidized price, but I am currently a 1st gen iphone owner, so which group am I in? Do i get the 200 dollar phone? Also, I sold my iphone last week for 375, do i just buy an unsubsidized phone and keep my 2g and 200 texts for 20 bucks ( i live no where near 3g) or do i pay the 200 and pay 30bucks a month(pending i am even able to get it for that price) Or last option is to pay the 175 cancelation fee then resign up and get the 200 dollar phone- I wouldnt be losing and money since i have 375 in my hand.? SORRY for the novel....

[Rychiar]

wait im confused about this point for 1st gen iphone users. It says if u buy a new one it cancels and replaces your current contract in this post. So if i buy a new one and sign a contract im only in it for 2 years as opposed to 2 years plus the 1 year i have left on my current contract?

[cmendill]

I like many existing att customers, realize now that I am ineligable to get the iPhone for $199/$299. But had I known that this was going to be the policy, I could have bought a 2G iPhone after the 27th, started a new contract without paying the termination fee and traded that in for the 3G iPhone plus $200 back.

That doesn't seem right. We're getting screwed for knowing the new iPhone was coming out, and waiting.

Can you still buy 2G iphone???

Probably not. Ah well.

[deannnnn]

Punish as in how? You can't get cheap discounts on phones as current customer unless your eligible for a upgrade. I think the upgrade comes every 18 months ....

Well pretty much everyone gets the new iPhone for $200 unless you are a current AT&T customer who does not own an iPhone. That just doesn't make sense to me.

[GeekLawyer]

wait im confused about this point for 1st gen iphone users. It says if u buy a new one it cancels and replaces your current contract in this post. So if i buy a new one and sign a contract im only in it for 2 years as opposed to 2 years plus the 1 year i have left on my current contract?

Yes. You'll have a new 2-year contract that will begin on July 11 (or whenever). The year you have left on your current contract is "forgiven" and replaced by the new contract.

[arn]

Well pretty much everyone gets the new iPhone for $200 unless you are a current AT&T customer who does not own an iPhone. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Because AT&T already "gave you" a $200 discount for your previous phone which you haven't yet "paid back" in terms of your full contract.

arn

[Diode]

Well pretty much everyone gets the new iPhone for $200 unless you are a current AT&T customer who does not own an iPhone. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Which brings me back to my original point .... this is how every other phone AT&T (or any other carrier) handles things. You don't get subsidized prices unless you are eligible for a discount or sign up for a new line (Or add a line for existing customers).

[MNTwinsFan]

Wow if I didn't think things could get any more confusing.

Couldn't AT&T just go ahead and finalize the details already .... I have a feeling the iPhone is not being released until the 11th of July is because nothing plan related was finalized at the time of the keynote.

I think they waited for July 11, because that's the final date for the Stimulus payments to be mailed out.


So, Apple is hoping you'll spend some stimulus on the iPhone 3G

[daveporter]

I read on one of the on-line rumor website (I don't remember which one) that existing iPhone customers would pay $199 for the new 8GB iPhone and have to sign a new 2 year contract as was reported here. However, that other post stated that existing iPhone customers would continue to pay the $20/month charge for digital service and 200 SMS message plan. In other words, we would not be forced to sign up for the new plan that costs $30/month and has no SMS minutes included. I have not seen this reported anywhere since that day so I don't know if it was in error or was correct. Does anyone know?

If I can keep my old plan and just have to resign for 2 years, then I might go for the iPhone 3G, however, if I will loss my current plan (a 50% increase in cost and loss SMS messages) then I won't go for it since there are few areas in the US where 3G service is available and there will be little reason for me to change phones. I will just wait for the iPhone 4G.

Dave

[deannnnn]

Because AT&T already "gave you" a $200 discount for your previous phone which you haven't yet "paid back" in terms of your full contract.

arn

I see. Huh. That's actually a really good point, haha.
(Oh, and I'm honored that arn replied to me directly :D )

[arn]

I read on one of the on-line rumor website (I don't remember which one) that existing iPhone customers would pay $199 for the new 8GB iPhone and have to sign a new 2 year contract as was reported here. However, that other post stated that existing iPhone customers would continue to pay the $20/month charge for digital service and 200 SMS message plan. In other words, we would not be forced to sign up for the new plan that costs $30/month and has no SMS minutes included. I have not seen this reported anywhere since that day so I don't know if it was in error or was correct. Does anyone know?

I've heard both. I don't think we'll know for sure until closer to.

arn

[Mac Attack 360]

What is this mobile number transfer thing? Because I want to switch my carrier to AT&T. I already have a contract with T-Mobile and I was wondering: If I do this number transfer thing, would I still have to pay the hefty contract cancelation thing with T-Mobile? Or does this program make it so you don't have to pay the cancelation fee while still keeping your current number? I'm kinda confused, so could someone help me with this?:confused:

[arn]

What is this mobile number transfer thing? Because I want to switch my carrier to AT&T. I already have a contract with T-Mobile and I was wondering: If I do this number transfer thing, would I still have to pay the hefty contract cancelation thing with T-Mobile? Or does this program make it so you don't have to pay the cancelation fee while still keeping your current number? I'm kinda confused, so could someone help me with this?:confused:

if you are still in contract with t-mobile, you will have to pay a cancelation fee if you discontinue service. mobile number transfer just means you get to keep your phone number.

arn

[radiogod69]

I signed up for new service @ the end of April 08, bought a refurbished pda phone till the 3g iphone comes out, so there for its a standard contract.

I think I may qualify for this scenario

"Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing $99 a month or more, and who has been in contract
(and not upgraded) in the last 12 months."

However my total bill now is $85, voice, 3g data plan, 1500 sms for $15. so If I add another feature to make it $99 or mor prior to buying the 3g iphone would this mean I am qualified? Can anyone else provide me insight with this?

[newyorksole]

So, ok, I bought the iPhone on launch day last year. This means that I am elibible for upgrade and will get the 16GB iPhone for $300 right?

[BrownManUPS]

I've heard both. I don't think we'll know for sure until closer to.

arn

This may or may not have to do with what you responded to. But I am going to get an first gen iPhone from my dad soon, and then will put my AT&T sim card in it, and go through the iTunes activation. Will my phone be activated successfully? And when the new iPhone is officially on the market, will my plan still be 20 bucks data plus whatever voice/sms plan I want? AT&T (or the Apple store) removed that chart with what the old iPhone add on plans were for additional AT&T customers was, so I can't see what I want to put on, but I think in iTunes it will pull up I guess.

If that chart is anywhere, that would be nice to see.

[mpd659]

I just got off the phone with a Laurie Lawson with business care at ATT and she advised the got the upgrade information on the new iPhone 3G. She said everyone will be able to get it at $199/$299 price, because thats what Apple set the prices at. She also said if ATT were selling them any cheaper, then you would have to be eligible for that upgraded price (ex. $99/$199). And she said they won't give any discount still for government/business accounts (like 15% off a month), which is what they did with the original iphone. You just have to sign a new 2 year contract.

[arn]

I signed up for new service @ the end of April 08, bought a refurbished pda phone till the 3g iphone comes out, so there for its a standard contract.

I think I may qualify for this scenario

"Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing $99 a month or more, and who has been in contract
(and not upgraded) in the last 12 months."

However my total bill now is $85, voice, 3g data plan, 1500 sms for $15. so If I add another feature to make it $99 or mor prior to buying the 3g iphone would this mean I am qualified? Can anyone else provide me insight with this?

I think you have to have been in contract paying $99 or more for 12 months.

arn

[iphonestalker]

What about rollover minutes accumulated?

[freediverdude]

Yea there's still so many questions. Like what about the people who ended up with the prepaid on the original iPhone- will their plans be grandfathered in and allowed to keep them and get the new phone? And how will the Apple store employees deal with the credit approval process, or will they just hand you the phone and you have to deal with AT&T later. Or people like me, who have the prepaid, but have recently received a letter stating they were pre-approved for a contract and free regular phone, wanting to use that as a contract pre-approval for an iphone? All sorts of stuff that needs to be ironed out I would think.

[daveporter]

What about rollover minutes accumulated?

That is a good question.

Also, I already had an old family plan when I purchased my iPhone last year when they first came out. At that time, I was able to hold on to my old plan and just add $20/month for my iPhone (my wife does not have an iPhone) for the digital plan. My older family plan was a better plan then the one offered for new iPhone customers at the time (and it still is).

For me to upgrade to the 3G, AT&T will have to let me keep my old family plan, the $20/month iPhone plan and my roll-over minutes or I will just stick with my current iPhone. As I said earlier, there AT&T's 3G coverage is so limited that most people will not be within range of 3G coverage very often unless they live in one of the major metropolitan areas covered.

Dave

[radiogod69]

whatever happened to just being able to purchase the 3g iphone at Apple's set price, agree to the 2 year contract & a required data plan set by AT&T?

[Diode]

What about rollover minutes accumulated?

Depends on your situation.

If you change your voice plan it could affect you if your downgrading to a lower plan. Then you are only able to keep rollover minutes equal to the plan your changing to.

If your moving lateral or up then you can keep all your rollover.

If your just changing the data portion your plan then no changes will be made to your rollover.

All of the above is how AT&T handles plan changes for non-iphone plans but I assume it will apply in this case.

As Arn mentioned earlier we won't know until AT&T announces it.

[galactic732]

i just sold my 2G iPhone so technically i'm not an iPhone owner currently.

am i eligible for the 199/299 pricing still?

if they look at my billing history they can clearly see that i had an iPhone for 6 months.

[carterst]

This is not verified. I'm one of those current AT&T customers who doesn't have an iPhone and upgraded less than two years ago (though I just got a $50 phone for free, not a $200 discount on a new phone). I also just got off the phone with somebody at at&t who could not verify this. She said she read the same things online but as far as anybody who works the phones there knows this is just a rumor and the $199/$299 is the price for everybody as long as they get a new two-year contract.

Doesn't mean it isn't/won't be true. But unless AT&T has the worst customer service around (i know...), I'm still going to hold out hope that Steve Jobs didn't lie to me.

[Verblej]

I just want to buy it online. I think that u should be able to buy online if u are an existing user and upgrading. I don't feel like dealing with the crowds.

[mciarlo]

This is not verified. I'm one of those current AT&T customers who doesn't have an iPhone and upgraded less than two years ago (though I just got a $50 phone for free, not a $200 discount on a new phone). I also just got off the phone with somebody at at&t who could not verify this. She said she read the same things online but as far as anybody who works the phones there knows this is just a rumor and the $199/$299 is the price for everybody as long as they get a new two-year contract.

Doesn't mean it isn't/won't be true. But unless AT&T has the worst customer service around (i know...), I'm still going to hold out hope that Steve Jobs didn't lie to me.


This is apparently from Best Buy and Wirefly | Source: Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g)

[Bickity]

I just got off the phone with a Laurie Lawson with business care at ATT and she advised the got the upgrade information on the new iPhone 3G. She said everyone will be able to get it at $199/$299 price, because thats what Apple set the prices at. She also said if ATT were selling them any cheaper, then you would have to be eligible for that upgraded price (ex. $99/$199). And she said they won't give any discount still for government/business accounts (like 15% off a month), which is what they did with the original iphone. You just have to sign a new 2 year contract.

I agree that this will be the case. Since there is not much clear information out there, people start to speculate. Steve Jobs clearing states at 1:40 into the keynote that no one around the world will pay MORE than $199.

[Locoboof]

Yes please everyone stop saying ,am I eligible for a upgrade...what if I signed a contract a few months ago....what if I sold my phone!!!! from what I understand and have read all over EVERYONE GETS THE PHONE FOR 199.00 AND 299.00 no matter what plan or phone you have...no matter how long you been with them or not....everyone pays 199 or 299.... even if you have 6 months left or 10 months left on your contract... you will just start a new 2 year agreement from that day you buy the new 3g iphone EVERYONE PAYS 199 OR 299!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS NOT A UPGRADE ITS JUST THE PRICE!!!!

[kendonshaw]

I sold my iPhone the day they announced the 3G one. I just restored it and pulled my SIM out. I'm using my wife's old crappy Nokia (it's killing me) but haven't changed anything on my rate plan so it still shows that i'm using the iPhone and am paying for the $20 iPhone data plan. I THINK I should be eligible? Do I have to show them which phone i'm currently using? If THAT'S the case, I'll just grab my wife's iPhone and we can pass it down the line to whoever needs to prove they are using a 1st Gen iPhone.

I don't know, i'm getting one at $299 is all I have to say. I'll raise holy hell...

[chism21]

damn it my contract isnt up til Sept 2009.. but I called att and the rep said I can upgrade Sept 2008 (do i want to wait til then?.. no)

Is it possible to add a new line to my account and purchase the $199 iphone that way?

[DubbleDuecer]

Yes please everyone stop saying ,am I eligible for a upgrade...what if I signed a contract a few months ago....what if I sold my phone!!!! from what I understand and have read all over EVERYONE GETS THE PHONE FOR 199.00 AND 299.00 no matter what plan or phone you have...no matter how long you been with them or not....everyone pays 199 or 299.... even if you have 6 months left or 10 months left on your contract... you will just start a new 2 year agreement from that day you buy the new 3g iphone EVERYONE PAYS 199 OR 299!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS NOT A UPGRADE ITS JUST THE PRICE!!!!

Correct, but my question is, can I keep my sim card and my 20 dollar a month data and text?

[aditghai]

What if I bought the iPhone on launch day last year and just sold it on eBay on the day of WWDC. Will you be considered an iPhone user in terms of upgrade?

[Churc22]

Yes please everyone stop saying ,am I eligible for a upgrade...what if I signed a contract a few months ago....what if I sold my phone!!!! from what I understand and have read all over EVERYONE GETS THE PHONE FOR 199.00 AND 299.00 no matter what plan or phone you have...no matter how long you been with them or not....everyone pays 199 or 299.... even if you have 6 months left or 10 months left on your contract... you will just start a new 2 year agreement from that day you buy the new 3g iphone EVERYONE PAYS 199 OR 299!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS NOT A UPGRADE ITS JUST THE PRICE!!!!


I think you are wrong...I just did that online chat thing with an att rep and was told this...

ATT Rep: Hello and welcome to the New AT&T Technical Support Live Chat. My name is Chris. I will be more than happy to assist you with your AT&T service. May I ask what brings you to our chat room today?

Me: Hi Chris, I am just wondering if someone who began a new ATT contract last year with with a basic flip phone would be able to upgrade to the IPhone 3G at the advertised prices ($199 for the 8gb, $299 for the 16gb) if they sign i new two year contract.

ATT Rep: You would be able to purchase the new iPhone at that price, if you are eligible for an upgrade at that time.

Me: what determines if i am eligible
Me: a new 2 year contract was started 1 year ago

ATT Rep: Thank you for your question. In most cases you become eligible 2 months prior to the end of your contract.

Me: ok, so what cases would justify being eligible before that?

ATT Rep: I can check to see what the date is for you.

..at which point i told him i was not an ATT customer (since i still have Verizon) and didn't go any further, but it looks as if those prices are not for everyone.

[strangelogic]

What if I bought the iPhone on launch day last year and just sold it on eBay on the day of WWDC. Will you be considered an iPhone user in terms of upgrade?

I don't think that helps your case, but it's just my theory. ATT and :apple: have a new deal, and the previous contract called for :apple: to get a share of the monthly revenue stream from each of those original iPhones, I think the logic behind letting us upgrade so easily is so that ATT gets to keep all the monthly revenue. I'm just 'speculating' - it could be that :apple: protected us a bit, and said ''we will cancel the revenue sharing altogether, but all of our loyalists have to be eligible for upgrades right away" ... seems unlikely.

However, if you don't have an iPhone anymore - I wouldn't say I sold it, I would tell them I dropped it in a lake or something... Of course if the buyer already activated it with ATT ...

(I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I just live with one)

[jplan2008]

This is apparently from Best Buy and Wirefly | Source: Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g)

Gizmodo said "AT&T just gave us details," but they quoted pages that are quoting AT&T's "normal" policy. Apple was receiving full price for the iPhones, PLUS revenue sharing at estimates ranging from $8-$18.50 per customer per month, AND a better data plan for iPhone users (so presumably more people would buy phone, especially those that had never had data plans before) AND an easy activation process, allowing them and AT&T to sell on-line. In return AT&T got an EXCLUSIVE "multi-year" agreement for what's now the most popular smart phone in the U.S., whose owners were less likely than owners of any other handset to leave AT&T, and who spent twice as much as the average AT&T customer (maybe true of all smartphones), and the publicity and hype. If Apple renogiated that EXCLUSIVE agreement to get for itself and its customers the same as any manufacturer WITHOUT an exclusive agreement, no wonder Steve Jobs has lost weight! I'll remain skeptical until there's something definitive directly from AT&T. Especially since they are expecting such a hit on their revenue -- $.10-$12 less in profit per share -- if they're making up a minimum of $18 per month right away, and only offering the deal the same as any other subsidy which they're offering anyway, I don't see how it would take two years to start to make money on it.

[melninety]

I really don't think they will make existing AT&T customers pay more. That would be such a PR disaster after announcing the prices how SJ did. I'd wager a good amount of money that the prices will be the same for everyone.

[TalkAboutApple]

I have been wanting to give my old iPhone to my wife and upgrade to a 3G. Now I'm practically dreading 7/11 for the complexity of it all.

Oh, and I HATE the idea of being stuck with only 16GB of memory through 2010. That's going to be the equivalent of running around with a 256MB thumb drive today.

[matt archbold]

I am also a non iphone att customer (only 8months into contract). I bought my phone on amazon. I heard that there wont be any iphones available for sale without a new 2 yr contract (even at a higher price). Usually when you pay the full price for the phone when your not eligible for an upgrade, you aren't required to sign a new contract. If they still require a contract, why wouldn't it be discounted in some way? I find it very frustrating that the keynote was all about the 199/299 price point and had no mention of this subsidizing crap at all. Its very misleading. I dont have a problem paying more because i'm not eligible for the upgrade price. But I'm not paying more AND signing a new contract.

[cbigfoot1987]

...I find it very frustrating that the keynote was all about the 199/299 price point and had no mention of this subsidizing crap at all. Its very misleading. I dont have a problem paying more because i'm not eligible for the upgrade price. But I'm not paying more AND signing a new contract.

I agree Steve Jobs NEVER SAID (Unless i missed it) That att is subsidizing. I think apple is just going to make less money off of them and isnt subsidizing but thats me either way im going to be in line on 7/11 and i will get it no matter the cost(well i wont pay over 599).:eek:

[zub3qin]

Anyone think it is odd that there are no answers coming from Apple and AT&T and just tons of questions? In fact, AT&T isn't even advertising or mentioning iPhone on their website-- unless you go google searching several layers into the website.

It really seems like this whole plan was thrown together by high school students, with very little planning.... not like anything Apple (or any other massive corporation) has ever done before.

What IS the problem with Apple these days????

[cbigfoot1987]

Anyone think it is odd that there are no answers coming from Apple and AT&T and just tons of questions? In fact, AT&T isn't even advertising or mentioning iPhone on their website-- unless you go google searching several layers into the website.

It really seems like this whole plan was thrown together by high school students, with very little planning.... not like anything Apple (or any other massive corporation) has ever done before.

What IS the problem with Apple these days????

Its normal apple... very secreative...:rolleyes:

[jplan2008]

Anyone think it is odd that there are no answers coming from Apple and AT&T and just tons of questions? In fact, AT&T isn't even advertising or mentioning iPhone on their website-- unless you go google searching several layers into the website.

It really seems like this whole plan was thrown together by high school students, with very little planning.... not like anything Apple (or any other massive corporation) has ever done before.

What IS the problem with Apple these days????

Last year the details of the rate plans and contracts were announced just a few days before launch. I think we should expect the same this time around.

[junker]

I may be mistaken about all this, but from what it appears like: I, as a October 2007 iphone owner, cannot just upgrade to the phone - Without supposedly:
1. starting a new contract
2. Paying more for worse terms ( I have the 450 min, approx. $65 per mo.)
3. Not being able to get the new iphone and renew the contract length (ideal)
4. Maybe not even get any upgrade deal on the iphone cost (because I haven't been a member for a year - or 10 mos. (as someone previously speculated a few posts ago)

If all of these are true, I will just sit tight and keep my money warm. (we may be burning it for heat come winter anyway - if the dollar continues to tank whilst the energy prices climb!

[question fear]

I may be mistaken about all this, but from what it appears like: I, as a October 2007 iphone owner, cannot just upgrade to the phone - Without supposedly:
1. starting a new contract
2. Paying more for worse terms ( I have the 450 min, approx. $65 per mo.)
3. Not being able to get the new iphone and renew the contract length (ideal)
4. Maybe not even get any upgrade deal on the iphone cost (because I haven't been a member for a year - or 10 mos. (as someone previously speculated a few posts ago)

If all of these are true, I will just sit tight and keep my money warm. (we may be burning it for heat come winter anyway - if the dollar continues to tank whilst the energy prices climb!

1 and 2 are right. As an original iPhone owner you can get an upgrade at the subsidized price. Doesn't matter when you bought the original one.

[junker]

1 and 2 are right. As an original iPhone owner you can get an upgrade at the subsidized price. Doesn't matter when you bought the original one.

Ugh - That's very unfortunate. I guess I will be burning money for warmth this winter then.

[mcguyvr]

ugh. sux. I bought iphone 2g on May 24. 3 days before upgrade eligibility. What a crock.:mad:

[puckhead193]

umm no news on new subscribers other then to save your number...

[djransom]

Yes please everyone stop saying ,am I eligible for a upgrade...what if I signed a contract a few months ago....what if I sold my phone!!!! from what I understand and have read all over EVERYONE GETS THE PHONE FOR 199.00 AND 299.00 no matter what plan or phone you have...no matter how long you been with them or not....everyone pays 199 or 299.... even if you have 6 months left or 10 months left on your contract... you will just start a new 2 year agreement from that day you buy the new 3g iphone EVERYONE PAYS 199 OR 299!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS NOT A UPGRADE ITS JUST THE PRICE!!!!

I'm glad that someone honestly believes that this is the case :rolleyes:

[arn]

umm no news on new subscribers other then to save your number...

What other news is there? You are eligible for the subsidized price.

Sign up! :)

arn

[radiogod69]

I'm glad that someone honestly believes that this is the case :rolleyes:

ditto, why does everyone keep thinking that there is a subsidy? Apple is charging 199/299, THAT IS RETAIL NOT A DISCOUNT for the iPhones. Your paying $10 more for 3g data to get the iPhone at a cheaper rate, thats the subsidy.

[cbigfoot1987]

ditto, why does everyone keep thinking that there is a subsidy? Apple is charging 199/299, THAT IS RETAIL NOT A DISCOUNT for the iPhones. Your paying $10 more for 3g data to get the iPhone at a cheaper rate, thats the subsidy.

There is no subsidy as far as i can tell. There is no subsidy i heard the fact was is apple isn't getting profit sharing from Att and Att is making the extra $10.

[MacBoucher]

If I can keep my old plan and just have to resign for 2 years, then I might go for the iPhone 3G, however, if I will loss my current plan (a 50% increase in cost and loss SMS messages) then I won't go for it since there are few areas in the US where 3G service is available and there will be little reason for me to change phones. I will just wait for the iPhone 4G.

Dave

If I can keep my old plan and just have to resign for 2 years, then I might go for the iPhone 3G, however, if I will loss my current plan (a 50% increase in cost and loss SMS messages) then I won't go for it since there are few areas in the US where 3G service is available and there will be little reason for me to change phones. I will just wait for the iPhone 4G. - Dave

I am with Dave. I am waiting for iPhone 4G, due to the following:

1. iPhone 3G is plastic
2. iPhone 3G doesn't work in my area, only in metropolitan areas
3. I'm getting the iPhone 2.0 upgrade for free and it's still a much better made, solid phone with a cheaper plan than that of the new 3G, which will cost me at least 15 dollars more a month if I want texting and 3G network data. :p

[baslotto]

Ok. Let's say there is no subsidy.
I've been reading since day 1 that ALL IPHONES WILL COME WITH A NEW ATT CONTRACT. Right? Everybody remembers.
As an ATT policy if we brake that contract before what we sign for, they will charge $175 fee like for any other phone.
At this point I'm confused because according to my account I'm not eligible for a discount on a phone until 11/12/08. Which makes me think that yes I'll get the iPhone and a new contract for 300 but I'll have to terminate one of the two if I don't wanna pay double.
And yes: Jobs didn't mention this at all.

[arn]

ditto, why does everyone keep thinking that there is a subsidy? Apple is charging 199/299, THAT IS RETAIL NOT A DISCOUNT for the iPhones..

We all think its subsidized because AT&T says its subsidized:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25791
In the near term, AT&T anticipates that the new agreement will likely result in some pressure on margins and earnings, reflecting the costs of subsidized device pricing, which, in turn, is expected to drive increased subscriber volumes.

also, AT&T's chief executive also said it was subsidized
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121305706681259335.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WSJ: Why is AT&T subsidizing the new iPhone and how will it impact AT&T's business?

Mr. de la Vega: It seems like $199 is the right kind of price point to get significant mass-market adoption. It's going to impact earnings in 2008 and 2009 in a negative way, but will turn very profitable in the long term. We generate a lot of revenue from iPhone users, about twice as much as other customers. And I feel very confident that we're going to have very low customer turnover, based on what we've seen from the initial version of the iPhone.

[Jordom115]

There is no subsidy as far as i can tell. There is no subsidy i heard the fact was is apple isn't getting profit sharing from Att and Att is making the extra $10.

It's true that at&t was considering profit sharing with apple but they did not reach an agreement.

on a seperate note, does anyone know if the GPS on the iphone will automatically go through turn by turn instructions like for example a garmin portable GPS? or a nav system in a car? I realize it can track the path but am wondering how advaced the software and hardware are in comparison to regular GPS units.

Thanks

[Jordom115]

sorry to get off topic...

[arn]

Ok. Let's say there is no subsidy.
....
At this point I'm confused because according to my account I'm not eligible for a discount on a phone until 11/12/08. Which makes me think that yes I'll get the iPhone and a new contract for 300 but I'll have to terminate one of the two if I don't wanna pay double.
And yes: Jobs didn't mention this at all.

1. There is a subsidy. See my post above.

2. It doesn't matter what your account says, the 1st generation iPhone is a special case.

AT&T's Chief Executive says so (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/att-new-low-price-will-move-iphones-to-mass-market/index.html?ref=technology). And this internal AT&T memo (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/06/09/iphone-3g-the-details-you-never-wanted-to-know/) says so.

Because the first iPhone was sold without an upfront subsidy, current users are welcome to buy a new $199 or $299 3G iPhone.

[pcorrado]

I am so confused by these rumors - I just sold my iPhone today (to be shipped out tomorrow - overseas) - Will I still be a current iPhone owner - I was just going to use my sim in an old phone i have laying about from pre-iphone days?

Also, I know this is a bit of a scam, but my fiance wants to get an iPhone and I was going to get it for her, but she just upgraded her phone a few months again (to an awful, awful phone) - I understand the normal terms of service, but if I had her activate my iphone before i shipped it off with her phone number will she be an existing owner for the sake of upgrade? Of course will that also affect me?

I figure I am safe with sending the phone overseas for a non-at&t customer to work with it, they will never know why i stopped using it and I will continue paying for the data plan, but man this upgrade policy sucks, maybe this will at least keep the lines short.

[no homo]

I apologize if this question has been answered...

I purchased an iPhone in August of last year UNSUBSIDIZED for FIVE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE US DOLLARS.

Given what has been stated, I assume that I will be able to purchase at the $199/$299 price and just sign a new 2-year contract.

Am I correct?

[arn]

I am so confused by these rumors - I just sold my iPhone today (to be shipped out tomorrow - overseas) - Will I still be a current iPhone owner - I was just going to use my sim in an old phone i have laying about from pre-iphone days?


If you still have an account with AT&T and still paying them $$ every month, it should still count. I don't think they'll make you show them your iphone.

arn

[pcorrado]

that what i figured, plus I am trying to put things into the perspective of contract law and I figure they allow iphone users to upgrade now because we lack subsidy so our contract isn't as "necessary" and someone who actually received the benefit of a subsidized phone, so assuming that I don't upgrade to a subsidized phone now, I should be ok.

[bcwilson]

Does anyone have any definitive answer about this yet?

I just switched to AT&T in anticipation of the iphone 3G, and now im finding out that I might not even be able to buy it?? Since I joined June 11, he said I'd have to get it right on July 11 in order for it to be in some 30 day window for something or other, otherwise I'd need to be eligible for an upgrade. I figured he just didn't know what he was talking about. This just seems incredibly foolish for them to say, "Nope, sorry, you cant buy one for x months."

wtf?!

[mambodancer]

ugh. sux. I bought iphone 2g on May 24. 3 days before upgrade eligibility. What a crock.:mad:

Check the price protection exchange policy from the store you bought it from. I believe Apple has a 2 week return policy with restocking fee. (Opps...that already puts you outside the date).

My advice...bring it in and try to get it exchanged anyway. The most they can say is "Sorry, no." On the other hand, they just might say "Sure, here's your credit."

Just be very nice when you go in.

[slevit1]

Everyone's missed the best part of the whole article!!

There are a number of issues regarding this. First, the iPhone 3G firmware has not been unlocked, despite reports. The final iPhone 3G firmware is said to be different than the current 2.0 betas. So, you may not be able to unlock it at all.

Are they serious? If it was not such a sad assertion, it would be hilarious!

[nickXedge]

i understood it as a non-subsidized phone, despite ALL the articles calling it as such. i was to believe it was similar to the original iphone sales, this is the price, no subsidies. however, the plan is like a normal phone, which is technically independent still, because it is not a subsidized phone. i could be wrong, but this is how i saw/see it. any input is welcome, this is just my perspective on it, i don't expect to hear about a $499 iphone 3g at all.

[Donz0r]

Many different people have called AT&T and the reps said that its 199 and 299 No matter What!!.

Normally they dont do this but the iPhone is such a high profile device I think it makes sense.

[baslotto]

Many different people have called AT&T and the reps said that its 199 and 299 No matter What!!.

Normally they dont do this but the iPhone is such a high profile device I think it makes sense.

Yes. And for that price it also comes with a NEW minimum $85/mo contract that stays glued to our asses until we pay a $200 fee for breaking the contract before the 2 years! Unless we fall under one of the 3 categories explained in the article.

Somebody tell me that I can buy an "ATT contract free" iPhone G3 for 199 and 299.

Anybody??

[carterst]

all right, i'm going to call BS on this now. sorry but all the evidence that arn or anybody else has posted about this subsidy is completely inconclusive. ATT is subsidizing these, yes, but we don't know the details. and the details taken from those two websites are based off of their standard operating procedure with other phones, not necessarily this one considering that NOBODY at ATT is able to confirm this. In fact, the most definitive statement any of us have heard have come from both steve jobs at the WWDC, and from any of those articles arn just pointed out. that the phone will cost the same for EVERYONE. we have not even one piece of evidence to suggest that current ATT customers who don't have iphones will not be allowed to purchase a 199 iphone with a new 2 year contract and no termination fee. just because it is a subsidized price does not mean they are not making special deals for current customers. somebody prove me wrong.

[baslotto]

all right, i'm going to call BS on this now. sorry but all the evidence that arn or anybody else has posted about this subsidy is completely inconclusive. ATT is subsidizing these, yes, but we don't know the details. and the details taken from those two websites are based off of their standard operating procedure with other phones, not necessarily this one considering that NOBODY at ATT is able to confirm this. In fact, the most definitive statement any of us have heard have come from both steve jobs at the WWDC, and from any of those articles arn just pointed out. that the phone will cost the same for EVERYONE. we have not even one piece of evidence to suggest that current ATT customers who don't have iphones will not be allowed to purchase a 199 iphone with a new 2 year contract and no termination fee. just because it is a subsidized price does not mean they are not making special deals for current customers. somebody prove me wrong.

I hope you are right because I have ATT but I own a RAZR.

My only fear is that ATT replies: "The policy on the iPhone is no different from other smartphones: your contract is not 18 months old? So no discounts for you yet...".
Hope I'm very wrong, but I have never seen ATT giving away discounts depending on the popularity or the beauty of a phone...

[zenntench_oni]

what if i want to give my current iphone to my girlfriend and use my sim on the new iPhone 3G and i want to switch to a Family Plan and get her a new sim. . how am i going to do this when im might be forced to go to at&t to do this while i want to buy the iPhone 3G at my local Apple Store?

[captain kaos]

Does anyone have any definitive answer about this yet?

I just switched to AT&T in anticipation of the iphone 3G, and now im finding out that I might not even be able to buy it?? Since I joined June 11, he said I'd have to get it right on July 11 in order for it to be in some 30 day window for something or other, otherwise I'd need to be eligible for an upgrade. I figured he just didn't know what he was talking about. This just seems incredibly foolish for them to say, "Nope, sorry, you cant buy one for x months."

wtf?!

Im from the UK, with O2 (lets hope they sort out the PrePay deals soon!) and the ATT contracts may be different than over here, but why did you sign up to a new contract on the 11th june knowing you could wait a month to sign up AND get the new iphone?

[Roller]

what if i want to give my current iphone to my girlfriend and use my sim on the new iPhone 3G and i want to switch to a Family Plan and get her a new sim. . how am i going to do this when im might be forced to go to at&t to do this while i want to buy the iPhone 3G at my local Apple Store?

I'm in a similar situation. My son, who's on my family plan, wants my iPhone if I get the 3G. I suppose I could simply give him my phone (number and all) and buy a 3G for myself, but I'd have to pay the early termination fee to cancel his current line.

I guess I'm going to have to wait until launch to see what AT&T will do. Seems to me that they should be willing to accommodate somehow, since they'd be making more over the course of the contract with two iPhones (2G and 3G) than they would if I didn't change anything (iPhone 2G and non-iPhone).

[mjerald]

Question though. I think I am in both groups, do i get the cheap price or not? I am currently a 1st iphone owner. I switched to AT&T about 10 months ago(got a blackjack for 50 dollars) 2 months into my contract i bought the Iphone since no matter how long you have been in contract it just started you over for 400 bones. So technically i dont qualify for upgrade because I got the black jack 10 months ago for subsidized price, but I am currently a 1st gen iphone owner, so which group am I in? Do i get the 200 dollar phone? Also, I sold my iphone last week for 375, do i just buy an unsubsidized phone and keep my 2g and 200 texts for 20 bucks ( i live no where near 3g) or do i pay the 200 and pay 30bucks a month(pending i am even able to get it for that price) Or last option is to pay the 175 cancelation fee then resign up and get the 200 dollar phone- I wouldnt be losing and money since i have 375 in my hand.? SORRY for the novel....




You get the new iPhone. I am in the same situation and talked to AT&T rep.
here's the reply :

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail the new AT&T. I understand you
are wondering if you are eligible to upgrade to the 3G iPhone when
available on 07/11. I apologize for any confusion you have been caused
by our upgrade policy and I am happy to help you with your inquiry.

I have reviewed your account and since you do already have an iPhone,
you will be able to upgrade to the new iPhone if you wish. Any other
device that is not yet eligible for a discounted upgrade would need to
wait until they are eligible; however, current iPhone users may upgrade
to the new iPhone at any time. I apologize for any further inconvenience
this concern may cause.

[djransom]

Yes. And for that price it also comes with a NEW minimum $85/mo contract that stays glued to our asses until we pay a $200 fee for breaking the contract before the 2 years! Unless we fall under one of the 3 categories explained in the article.

Somebody tell me that I can buy an "ATT contract free" iPhone G3 for 199 and 299.

Anybody??

At this point, this doesn't appear to be an option according to what Arn posted.

[iphoneblack]

What happen if I just buy the 3G iphone online and put my 2G iphone sim in it? I wont get 3G or they will charge me $30 anyway?

I love the $20 unlimited data plan with 200 text. I do not care about the $200 differences because I plan to use 3G years long. It is better to charge me $20 a month years than $30 years.

[NYCAVS]

Like many here, I have an original iPhone (1st day from NYC Apple Store :o). I plan to get a new 3G iPhone and from what I read here, I believe I can get it for the $199 price if I extend my contract. The details of the new contract are obviously uncertain to an extent.

But I haven't heard much talk of what happens to the old iPhone? Does it become just an iPod Touch without use of the phone features? Can one easily add it as another line (and if so what cost/terms)? Obviously one can sell it but the market price for it after July 11 is not clear.

[zenntench_oni]

What happen if I just buy the 3G iphone online and put my 2G iphone sim in it? I wont get 3G or they will charge me $30 anyway?

I love the $20 unlimited data plan with 200 text. I do not care about the $200 differences because I plan to use 3G years long. It is better to charge me $20 a month years than $30 years.


i doubt you can buy a 3G iphone online anytime soon (i think)
you will have to change your data plan to $30 dollars data plan
2G iphone only works with the 20 dollars plan
3G iphone only works with the 30 dollars plan. .

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I like the fact that they are allowing current AT&T iPhone owners to get the iPhone 3G but the rest of it is a bit confusing. I do gather that unless you current own an iPhone, your contract is up, or you are not an AT&T customer you are not eligible for the 199/299 prices.

[iphoneblack]

i doubt you can buy a 3G iphone online anytime soon (i think)
you will have to change your data plan to $30 dollars data plan
2G iphone only works with the 20 dollars plan
3G iphone only works with the 30 dollars plan. .

well, 2 months ago i called ATT and changed my iphone plan to the $15 plan, which is non pda phone unlimited data plan. The ATT guy told me that my plan, $15 data plan, get unlimited 3G data speed w/o extra charge if my phone is not pda phone. I also read somewhere an online a person used a iphone sim card in his 3G motorola gets 3G speed w/o extra charge.

I am actually in Asia, Hong Kong, and I think it is likely that I can buy the iphone itself here. I hope I can get the 3G iphone here, HK, and use the $15 or $20 old iphone plan when I go back to the U.S, which is August.

[Harley05]

Common sense... is very lacking. 80% of the posts on this thread are answered in the original article. The only thing left undetermined is the UNsubsidized price from AT&T for customers that own a non iphone and are not eligible for an upgrade.

Two options are laid out, one for CURRENT iphone users, the other for NON iphone users. This really isn't that complicated...

1) IF you own a iphone now and are under a 2 year contract with AT&T... YES you can upgrade to the iphone 3G. You will start a NEW 2 year agreement. You will pay either 199 or 299. Simple as that. IF you purchased your iphone after May 27th, you get a free upgrade and actually get cash back. Done.

2) IF you own ANY other phone with AT&T that you received a discount (subsidy) when you purchased it. Then you must be "eligible" for an upgrade (which you can check online thru you AT&T account) to upgrade to a iphone 3G at the 199/299 price or as the article states you will be paying a HIGHER rate. (undisclosed price so far)

The only "special" deals are given to current iphone users, everyone else has to abide by normal contract rules. If you not AT&T customer they are not going to HELP you get out of any other contracts.

[cs123456]

What if,
I bought my iPhone in January and want to upgrade my phone & my wife’s phone (who is already on the Family Plan with me, but has a cheapie phone). In addition to what might be my new phone cost (which I cant figure-out), I would assume I would have to add two $30 ($60) data plans to my contract and give ATT my first born.

:cool:

[Harley05]

What if,
I bought my iPhone in January and want to upgrade my phone & my wife’s phone (who is already on the Family Plan with me, but has a cheapie phone). In addition to what might be my new phone cost (which I cant figure-out), I would assume I would have to add two $30 ($60) data plans to my contract and give ATT my first born.

:cool:

IF you have an iphone already, you can upgrade for the 199/299 and yes you will have to pay for the $30 data plan.

IF your wife has another type of phone, she will have to be eligible (which you can check on your AT&T account online) to upgrade to the iphone at 199/299. Otherwise she would have to pay the higher (undisclosed) rate for the new iphone 3G and YES you have to pay for a $30 data plan for EACH new iphone 3G.

[cmendill]

Common sense... is very lacking.

Many people have heard otherwise from ATT and Apple service reps. There is reason for confusion.

[BitOgre]

If you are not eligible, AT&T expects to announce the higher unsubsidized iPhone 3G price in the future. This price can be expected to be about $200 higher.

Alternatively, you can cancel your existing mobile phone contract and pay the $175 early termination fee, you will probably then be eligible for the $199/$299 iPhone 3G.



For those not eligible, why would they pay $200 more to get the new iPhone when the $175 early termination fee is cheaper? Is there some negitive side to going through early termination?

[jplan2008]

For those not eligible, why would they pay $200 more to get the new iPhone when the $175 early termination fee is cheaper? Is there some negitive side to going through early termination?

1) There's also an activation fee ($36? I can't remember, but think it's over the $25 difference)
2) You lose your phone number

[bsgx]

I don't know what everyone is so worried about. Do you really think if you have the original iPhone that they will turn down your money? It will be $199 if you already have the regular iPhone.

And I cancelled my iPhone last week. I didn't need the new one with 3G, and with the volume of email I do and SMS, I just need a real keyboard, so I bought a Blackberry. I did not have to pay $175 cancellation fee and they gave me the Blackberry for the subsidized price, no questions. I got my iPhone on launch day last year, and cancelled it only 11 months into the contract and I had to pay NO cancellation fee.

The people who work at the store don't typically follow all the rules, IMHO. They just want to sell new phones.

[GeekLawyer]

I think AT&T has updated their iPhone page. I apologize if this isn't "new" news.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/iphonespeed1.jpg

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhone.jsp?wtSlotClick=1-0013IS-0-1&WT.svl=calltoaction

[cs123456]

Harley05...Thanks!

[Kwill]

what if i want to give my current iphone to my girlfriend and use my sim on the new iPhone 3G and i want to switch to a Family Plan and get her a new sim. . how am i going to do this when im might be forced to go to at&t to do this while i want to buy the iPhone 3G at my local Apple Store?

For complex activation issues, I recommend activation at an AT&T Mobility (http://www.insiderpages.com/store_finder/find/at_and_t_mobility) store if one is in your area.

[EagerDragon]

I wish there was more information about family plans.

I have a personal contract now with AT&T with a non-iphone. As such I will need to pay full price for the iPhone I assume, yet I plan to get 3 iPhones and switch to a family plan with 2 new subscribers (my family). As of now I have no idea what I will need to pay for each of the iPhones and what will be the price of the family plan since the data plan went up and there are no unlimited SMS listed in the family plan. Im reality need only one phone with unlimited sms and the other 2 will do fine with 200 to 400 sms messages.

I hope they tell us more soon.

[daveporter]

The one thing that is certain from reading all this is that the cell phone industry is scamming all of us no matter what phone we use.

Look at all the if, ands and buts (butts really) that apply to something as simple as buying a cell phone and getting it to work with voice and data.

In reality, there should be a price for the phone based on its true retail cost, and one price if you want voice and another if you want voice and data...period. What difference in operating cost is there if you use an iPhone or a some other phone? None. Its all marketing bulls--t designed to make a customer so confused that we all pay way to much for service.

What every cell phone user should do is cancel their service and refuse to start it up again until the cell phone companies stop there scamming and start playing fair with their customers. However, there is no chance that any of us will do that so we will have to deal with this crap.

Dave

[djransom]

Many people have heard otherwise from ATT and Apple service reps. There is reason for confusion.

That nice long article Arn posted pretty much sums up the policy. Actually it includes the bits and pieces of info reps have given to potential buyers. It all boils down to customers believing what they want to believe and hoping somehow that magically EVERYONE will be able to purchase the iPhone for $199/$299 respectively.

[bytethese]

Yes. And for that price it also comes with a NEW minimum $85/mo contract that stays glued to our asses until we pay a $200 fee for breaking the contract before the 2 years! Unless we fall under one of the 3 categories explained in the article.

Somebody tell me that I can buy an "ATT contract free" iPhone G3 for 199 and 299.

Anybody??

$30+$39.99=$85? :)

In all seriousness, the cheapest voice plan offered is $39.99 plus $30 instead of the old $20 for the data plan. Anyone who wants a 3G plan will pay $69.99/mo minimum plus taxes for your location.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned however is text messages. How many will we get for our $30/mo? If it's more than 200, it'll be attractive for me since I pay an extra $4-$5/mo in "overages" from my 200 included texts.

[daveporter]

$30+$39.99=$85? :)

In all seriousness, the cheapest voice plan offered is $39.99 plus $30 instead of the old $20 for the data plan. Anyone who wants a 3G plan will pay $69.99/mo minimum plus taxes for your location.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned however is text messages. How many will we get for our $30/mo? If it's more than 200, it'll be attractive for me since I pay an extra $4-$5/mo in "overages" from my 200 included texts.

It has been reported that the 3G plan has 0 text messages included. If you want text messaging you will have to buy it separately.

Dave

[GeekLawyer]

It has been reported that the 3G plan has 0 text messages included. If you want text messaging you will have to buy it separately.

It's also been reported that the $30 data plan will continue to come with 200 SMS per month for iPhone users.

[pedroistheman]

It's also been reported that the $30 data plan will continue to come with 200 SMS per month for iPhone users.

most who plan on actually using their text messaging will either sign up for the more expensive 1500 text plan, adding up to much more than $40

[pedroistheman]

I think AT&T has updated their iPhone page. I apologize if this isn't "new" news.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/iphonespeed1.jpg

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhone.jsp?wtSlotClick=1-0013IS-0-1&WT.svl=calltoaction

it says the site is under maintainance...so much for that

[bcwilson]

Some definitive answers:

I just spoke with someone in the office of the President of the Northeast Region at AT&T, and heres a summary of what I learned:


Purchasing the iPhone 3G at the advertised $199/$299 price will require current AT&T customers to be eligible for an upgrade.
Customers not eligible for upgrade will have to pay a higher price for the iPhone. This higher price has not yet been determined.
Regardless of which price you pay, you will still need to sign a new 2-year contract, which will replace any existing contracts.
If you recently switched to AT&T like myself, or (I think) recently upgraded your phone, if you return your phone (non iPhone) within the 30 day return period, you can then purchase the iPhone for the 199/299 price.


Since I switched to AT&T on June 11, I'll probably return my Samsung July 11 and try my damndest to get the iPhone same day. If any of you are right on the border like I am, I would recommend talking to someone at AT&T and ask if they will allow you to return your phone within the 30-day return period without necessarily purchasing a new phone within that period, and making sure they note that in your account, and also make sure that they note in your account when you return the phone and also not to submit a request to cancel your number. This is what they did for me since I'm right on the border, and I may not be able to get my hands on an iPhone right on launch date. I still have my old t-mobile phone that I'm gonna see about unlocking, that way I'll have something to use in the interim til I can get my hands on an iPhone.

[radiogod69]

1) There's also an activation fee ($36? I can't remember, but think it's over the $25 difference)
2) You lose your phone number

You are correct, for new phones on a new account is $36, however if you are upgrading a phone on a current account the upgrade fee is $18

[abijnk]

it says the site is under maintainance...so much for that

Yep, sure does, could we be so luck as to finally have all this mess sorted out?? :confused:

[supmango]

1) There's also an activation fee ($36? I can't remember, but think it's over the $25 difference)
2) You lose your phone number

And, assuming the unconfirmed rumor of a higher price point is true, many of us are on cheaper plans that are no longer offered. In which case the overall difference is likely huge.

[GeekLawyer]

it says the site is under maintainance...so much for that

The page is back... http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhone.jsp?wtSlotClick=1-0013IS-0-1&WT.svl=calltoaction

And here's the PDF from the page...

[daveporter]

It's also been reported that the $30 data plan will continue to come with 200 SMS per month for iPhone users.

Please see this link:

http://gigaom.com/2008/06/09/att-mobility-ceo-new-3g-iphone-game-changer/

AT&T Mobility's President says:

"The SMS messages are not bundled anymore, and you pay for what you want. Again, the prices are based on what you buy."

There are no SMS messages provided in the $30 dollar plan. To get the 200 messages back will cost $5/month. Therefore, to get back to the same features you had before (voice, unlimited data and 200 SMS messages) costs $15/month more....not $10/month more.

Therefore, the true increased cost to upgrade to the iPhone 3G from the original iPhone is $199.99 plus $15/month for 24 months ($360) for a total of (drum roll please) $560! Just about what we early adopters paid for the first iPhone. There is no great "deal" being offered on the 3G iPhone. I can't believe how many people are only talking about the $199.99 up front cost and claiming how wonderful and revolutionary this pricing is....bunk.

This does not mean that the iPhone is not revolutionary, or a great product...I think it is. However, I hate the bait and switch tactics that Apple is participating in this time around. Just goes to show you that the old adage "if you sleep with the dogs you will get flees" is still pertinent. Getting is bed with AT&T has taught Apple some bad new tricks.

Dave

[GeekLawyer]

It's not my intent to argue. I was just pointing out that it's being reported both ways out on the net.

See, for example, http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1843

Unlimited 3G data costs US$30 per month. All individual rate plans include 200 SMS messages and unlimited night and weekend minutes. You can get unlimited SMS messages for US$20.00 per month.

[bytethese]

It's not my intent to argue. I was just pointing out that it's being reported both ways out on the net.

See, for example, http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1843

Well thankfully I'm not 13 and don't need unlimited. 200-400 would do just nicely for me. :)

[c.joe.go]

just got off the phone with an AT&T rep. they claim that there is no way to purchase the iPhone other than being eligible for an upgrade like other subsidies. i have had a plan that would have qualified me under the originally posted 3 class policy, however, AT&T (this rep) says that is not how the phone will be sold.

the gentleman i spoke with did have to speak with someone to get clarification on the policy, but i do not know if that calls his conclusion into question.

[matt archbold]

just got off the phone with an AT&T rep. they claim that there is no way to purchase the iPhone other than being eligible for an upgrade like other subsidies. i have had a plan that would have qualified me under the originally posted 3 class policy, however, AT&T (this rep) says that is not how the phone will be sold.

the gentleman i spoke with did have to speak with someone to get clarification on the policy, but i do not know if that calls his conclusion into question.

I think it's safe to say that until an official press release with the new pricing and conditions is released by ATT, all ATT employees, and reps dont know what is going on and are in the same boat we're in.

[daveporter]

It's not my intent to argue. I was just pointing out that it's being reported both ways out on the net.

See, for example, http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1843

I understand, it is being reported both ways depending on where you read it. The source link I provided is an interview with the President of AT&T Mobility; I would hope that he knows the true story. However, having said that, it would not surprise me that we find out that he does not know what he is talking about.

By the way, I see your from Jax. I live "down the road" in Green Cove Springs.

Dave

[GeekLawyer]

I understand, it is being reported both ways depending on where you read it. The source link I provided is an interview with the President of AT&T Mobility; I would hope that he knows the true story. However, having said that, it would not surprise me that we find out that he does not know what he is talking about.

By the way, I see your from Jax. I live "down the road" in Green Cove Springs

I actually agree with you. I would think that the President of AT&TM would have his head on straight, if anyone. But we've seen the converse before.

And yep -- here I am in lovely Jacksonville. My brother runs a graphic design shop down your way in GCS.

[bcparfitt]

Because AT&T already "gave you" a $200 discount for your previous phone which you haven't yet "paid back" in terms of your full contract.

arn

I sort of understand this, BUT what about those of us who are existing AT&T subscribers without data plans.

I signed with AT&T last summer to position myself for a 3G iPhone purchase this summer. Lo and behold the sucky Samsung "bottom of the barrel" flip phone I got with my contract counts as my subsidized phone!? Seriously!? I'm not eligible now until December 2008 for a hardware upgrade!? :mad:

I can't possibly imagine that I am still paying for the 'subsidized' valule AT&T kicked in for this Samsung phone... But even so, with an iPhone I would be adding an additional $30 a month data plan into the mix. I would think that over two years the $30 a month would be worth enough to AT&T to offset 1) The subsidized value of the iPhone and 2) The remaining $$$ on this Samsung flipper.

WTF, AT&T. WTF.

[c.joe.go]

I think it's safe to say that until an official press release with the new pricing and conditions is released by ATT, all ATT employees, and reps dont know what is going on and are in the same boat we're in.

i agree, especially because i just called them back out of curiosity and was told that the phones are $199 and $299 for ANYONE.

please AT&T, enlighten us.

[radiogod69]

It doesn't matter to me about the new price of the 3g data plan & txt messaging, I'm already paying for that anyways so this would not change. The only thing I care and that I think most people care about is getting the phone for $199/$299 accepting the term for a 2 year contract & 3g data plan.

[gkarris]

I sort of understand this, BUT what about those of us who are existing AT&T subscribers without data plans.

I signed with AT&T last summer to position myself for a 3G iPhone purchase this summer. Lo and behold the sucky Samsung "bottom of the barrel" flip phone I got with my contract counts as my subsidized phone!? Seriously!? I'm not eligible now until December 2008 for a hardware upgrade!? :mad:

I can't possibly imagine that I am still paying for the 'subsidized' valule AT&T kicked in for this Samsung phone... But even so, with an iPhone I would be adding an additional $30 a month data plan into the mix. I would think that over two years the $30 a month would be worth enough to AT&T to offset 1) The subsidized value of the iPhone and 2) The remaining $$$ on this Samsung flipper.

WTF, AT&T. WTF.

I lost my work cell phone (for a while at least) and I got a replacement from Nextel and they billed my department $249 for the "cheap flip phone". Interestingly enough, I had just gotten my 4 Gig iPhone for $299... :eek:

So much for "the iPhone being the most expensive" statement from Ballmer.

Yes, Samsung charged AT&T $199 for that phone. I guess that's about right, with the iPhone being $399.

[phr34k]

i agree, especially because i just called them back out of curiosity and was told that the phones are $199 and $299 for ANYONE.

please AT&T, enlighten us.

I was just told this exact same thing when i called. She just said all i needed to have was an active att account,which i obviously do. This was from someone in the business coustomer support dept.

[Kwill]

Some definitive answers:

I just spoke with someone in the office of the President of the Northeast Region at AT&T, and heres a summary of what I learned...

If you recently switched to AT&T like myself, or (I think) recently upgraded your phone, if you return your phone (non iPhone) within the 30 day return period, you can then purchase the iPhone for the 199/299 price.
[/LIST]

Since I switched to AT&T on June 11, I'll probably return my Samsung July 11 and try my damndest to get the iPhone same day.

Thirty days would be July 10. :rolleyes:

[Siron]

It's also been reported that the $30 data plan will continue to come with 200 SMS per month for iPhone users.

Okay I’ll throw another "my CSR said" reply.

Here's what I got in reply to my email question:

Mr. Smith, at initial launch, you will only be able to purchase the 3G
iPhone at company owned retail stores (and select kiosks) and Apple
stores. At that time, your phone will be activated. You will not go
through the iTunes account to activate the new 3G iPhone like you did
with your current iPhone. While your phone is being activated, the
representative will apply the new contract and the new data plan at that
time. The new iPhone data plans do not include messaging. It only
includes unlimited internet/email. At this time there is no information
regarding the text messaging feature..

I'm not sure what she meant by 'At this time there is no information
regarding the text messaging feature' seems to contradict the previous statement. :confused:

[DN7335]

I was just told this exact same thing when i called. She just said all i needed to have was an active att account,which i obviously do. This was from someone in the business coustomer support dept.

The sad fact is that no one knows for sure until the official announcement, and that probably includes the AT&T executives who have been quoted. They are still figuring out exactly how this will all work. I'm hoping existing customers who are not upgrade eligible won't get screwed too badly, it would be nice for them to decide that 199/299 is really for everyone regardless. However, I'm a realist so we'll just have to wait and see. Anything a customer service rep tells you at this point is pure speculation, no matter how sure they sound. I went to an AT&T store to ask some questions and the guy was basically clueless.

[odog402]

Well that pretty much kills my iphone hopes.

Oh well, I'll get a macbook pro instead :apple:

[syclonefx]

I emailed ATT about what time the iPhone would go on sale and they replied and this was in the email

Customers that do not currently have an iPhone must qualify for an upgrade to the 3G iPhone and can verify upgrade options via myWireless Account or by contacting Customer Service at 1-800-331-0500 when the new device becomes available. No-commitment pricing is unavailable for the 3G iPhone, which will only be available for purchase with a new 2 year service agreement.

Here is a post to the email reply from ATT
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5614731

[xenotaku]

How about.....

What if....
You live nowhere near an ATT or Apple store? Do they expect you to drive 4 (one way) hours and spend 50 something bucks on gas to buy a phone?

[c.joe.go]

How about.....

What if....
You live nowhere near an ATT or Apple store? Do they expect you to drive 4 (one way) hours and spend 50 something bucks on gas to buy a phone?

do i even have to say it.......

yes. they could not care less.

[djd24]

So if it' s announced that we have to be eligible for an upgrade to buy the phone for the $199/299 price..would this work out?
-I'm on a family plan and my number is not eligible for an upgrade until 11/08. However, my dads line is eligible for an upgrade right now. If we bought the phone for his line, would I be able to put my simcard (which is 3G) into it and use it? I would just give him my lg cu500 to use.. :confused:

[radiogod69]

whenever ATT gets more info about the contract terms & pricing for the iPhone 3g in the next coming weeks here is the number sequence to streamline the process of speaking to a service rep

1-888-333-6651

1 1 2 1 0 0

[kmerenda]

So, I'm like you - I have an iPhone, I'm not upgrade eligible (have had the phone only 6 months), but I want the new one.

I read the leaked internal memo stating current iphone owners would be made eligible for an upgrade when the 3g phone was launced, so I called AT&T to confirm.

I called two separate times, but got the same bad news twice. What I was told is that every AT&T customer must be upgrade eligible to get the 3G iPhone at the $199/$299 price. Also, on both calls the rep could not tell me the unsubsidized price, or when that price would be made available.

I've read posts from other people that said they spoke with AT&T and they were told the opposite - that iPhone 2G owners could upgrade no problem. But, other than here and on various other blogs, I can't find any substantial proof.
I was planning on line-camping (if necessary) to get this phone, but I don't wanna camp for a phone thats gonna cost me $200+ MORE than what I was planning on.

Does anyone know where there is some solid documentation from AT&T or Apple, stating that 2G iPhone owners will be eligible to upgrade, regardless of their current contract status?

[c.joe.go]

is it just me, or was it stated during the keynote that the iphone will sell for $199. no qualifications given. even on apple's own site, no qualifications given. the only fine print refers to the speed of the network, nothing about service eligibility. it does say that it requires a "new 2 year contract", but that seems rather obvious given the need for at&t to redeem its investment.

it simply cannot be that steve would confidently give a price and then later have to qualify that price based on at&t's need. those details would have been worked out before the keynote.

some one should talk with a local apple store.

[xenotaku]

^^ employees at Apple stores don't know anymore about future Apple news than we do.

[jplan2008]

Does anyone know where there is some solid documentation from AT&T or Apple, stating that 2G iPhone owners will be eligible to upgrade, regardless of their current contract status?

Were you a new AT&T customer when you bought your iPhone or otherwise eligible for a subsidized iPhone? At launch, many people signed up with AT&T, got a subsidized phone, then got the (non-subsidized) iPhone. I also read on AT&T's site, when I got my iPhone around six months ago, too, that iPhone purchasers would still have an upgrade eligibility on their account (but unfortunately didn't take screen shot and that's gone now). If you would otherwise be eligible (new customer, and didn't get subsidized phone, or enough time has gone by without an upgrade), I suggest sending them an email through their "contact us" on the webpage. I did, and got written confirmation back (not a conversation or "chat," but an email) that I am eligible for an equipment upgrade as I didn't receive one when I signed up with AT&T. But that they would have to process that in-store, they couldn't manually make the change on my account. In my same email, I asked about pricing for the 3G iPhone, and she responded that they don't give equipment pricing via email "as pricing may vary through each of our sales channels." So I'm only suggesting sending an email at this point if you should be eligible for an upgrade in general, and get them to confirm it. Otherwise, there's no "solid documentation" for anything except that AT&T is subsidizing the price, and that data plans will be $30 -- on press release and/or their website, so it's just wait and see.

[kmerenda]

Were you a new AT&T customer when you bought your iPhone or otherwise eligible for a subsidized iPhone?

When I signed up for NEW AT&T service on Jan 5, 2008, I had two iphones that were previously used on prepaid goPhone plans (in someone elses name) and I just got a family plan in my name and used that equipment. I did NOT buy any equipment from AT&T when I signed up for service, and I haven't since.

The first rep was saying that I would be eligible for an upgrade because I didn't get any equipment discount at sign-up on one of my phones, but then when I explained that I didn't get a discount on either phone, she transferred me to her manager, who said that it didn't matter about me getting a discount on my phone or not. I didn't have service for long enough to get a new phone upgrade, and that was that. End of story. I'm screwed - an iPhone 2g owner for 6 months, but I still gotta pay whatever the unsubsidized price will be, and they both assured me there would be an unsubsidized price.

Although, I gotta say, no one I spoke to really had an tone of confidence in their voice to show that they really knew what they were talking about for a fact.

[c.joe.go]

^^ employees at Apple stores don't know anymore about future Apple news than we do.

as a former apple employee, i know this. but i also know that they are given in-depth information about KNOWN launches. this is not a product in development.

[matt archbold]

is it just me, or was it stated during the keynote that the iphone will sell for $199. no qualifications given. even on apple's own site, no qualifications given. the only fine print refers to the speed of the network, nothing about service eligibility. it does say that it requires a "new 2 year contract", but that seems rather obvious given the need for at&t to redeem its investment.

it simply cannot be that steve would confidently give a price and then later have to qualify that price based on at&t's need. those details would have been worked out before the keynote.

some one should talk with a local apple store.

I find it highly unlikely that ANY apple or AT&T employee that works in a store or wit customer service would know the official conditions and pricing before some sort of official press release is issued. This price diffrence is no diffrent than any other phone on the market. I do feel the frustration about the missleading annoucement during the keynote though. Jobs announced the price like that was it and it would cost 199/299 no matter what (no asterisk present). Just like the origional iphone. What do you expect, this is how the cell phone business works.

[matt archbold]

How about.....

What if....
You live nowhere near an ATT or Apple store? Do they expect you to drive 4 (one way) hours and spend 50 something bucks on gas to buy a phone?

You dont have to drive anywhere. Just wait until after the release when they start selling them online. Easy.

[natejohnstone@g]

THIS ********** SUCKS!! :mad:

I switched to AT&T last June in the anticipation of buying an iPhone at some point. At that time, they told me that I could upgrade to an iPhone at any time and simply get a 2-year contract starting at that point (i.e. restart my 2-year contract).

Not you're telling me that They aren't even going to let me get an iPhone, even if I sign up for a 2-year contract? A contract is a contract, what does it matter whether I'm an existing subscriber or not if I agree to 2 more years?

I'm so pissed right now. I waited a long time for an iPhone, and was finally going to get one about a month ago, but decided to wait because the 3G version seemed imminent. Now I'm getting penalized BECAUSE I'm an AT&T customer? :confused:

No joke, this makes me seriously rethink getting any Apple or AT&T products ever again. This is just horrible customer's service. I'm so pissed off!!!!!!! Guess I'll never get an iPhone.

[bananaballs]

since im may not be eligible for the $199 price...

The company i work for has one of those discount programs with AT&T. last time i went to a AT&T store they said i get a discount on any phone using my company discount. will this work with the iphone?

[djd24]

So if it' s announced that we have to be eligible for an upgrade to buy the phone for the $199/299 price..would this work out?
-I'm on a family plan and my number is not eligible for an upgrade until 11/08. However, my dads line is eligible for an upgrade right now. If we bought the phone for his line, would I be able to put my simcard (which is 3G) into it and use it? I would just give him my lg cu500 to use.. :confused: .

[baslotto]

http://iphone.vodafone.it/?tk=9616%2Cc&ty_key=iphone.vodafone.it

Vodafone Italia.

This article states the following:

"Don't miss the chance to be the first who gets a new iPhone 3G!
If you have a Pay-as-you-go contract the prices will be 499 Euro for the 8GB and 569 Euro for the 16 GB. If you have the contract there are more advantages. Click the red button for more information..."
Not a word about a 199 or a 299 figure in the whole iPhone 3G webpage from 1 out of the 2 official carriers in Italy.

End of my hopes. I'll get the phone in November when I'll be able to get the discount from ATT. Or, at that point wait for a January 32GB one...
Another 6 months with the RAZR.


PS: Converting the currency the 8GB costs today $773 to an American who needs to buy iPhone in Italy! :D

[MacToddB]

How about.....

What if....
You live nowhere near an ATT or Apple store? Do they expect you to drive 4 (one way) hours and spend 50 something bucks on gas to buy a phone?

If you live 4 hours from the nearest AT&T store, don't expect 3G coverage!

And if your travels don't take you near an AT&T or Apple store, you don't need GPS.

[captain kaos]

I just found this on the UK site, iPhonic. Not good news for us hoping that we can activate at home within 30 days. Looks like its going to be hell!

Im from the UK and im hoping that O2 doesnt do this.:mad:


http://www.iphonic.tv/2008/06/iphone_3g_activation_another_f.html#more

[artward22]

One or two people may be in my position, so let me share the solution that I worked out with my local AT&T salesman:

I joined ATT june 1 and got a cheap (though subsidized) phone, thus I am currently not upgrade eligible and my 30 day escape window ends before the iphone comes out. My local salesman said that I should return my current phone and replace my current plan with a PAYG plan using an unsubsidized phone (either a friend's old phone, or a new cheapo one). With my new plan, using an unsubsidized phone, there are no contract limitations regarding upgrades. Thus when the iphone comes out I can upgrade at the right price.

He said he's very confident that this will work and that he's been working with a few customers who are in my position.

[kmerenda]

Soooo...I've been examing AT&T's page on the iphone, and I can't find any little tidbit on it mentioning that the $199/$299 are Upgrade-only price points, and that those not eligible for an upgrade will have to pay more.

I know for a fact that the AT&T staff (both in-store and call center) don't have any other price info than the $199/$299 price points. I also started thinking about my calls to AT&T, and realized that I always started the phone talking about my upgrade eligibility. I think if I had just asked how much the phone would cost for me, and not mentioned upgrades, they would have just quoted me the $199/$299 prices and that would be that.

I really believe that they AT&T staff are just as confused as we are, and they are just making educated guesses bases on how they handle other phones, so they don't have to say "I don't know, sir" - since they know we would give 'em hell if they did tell us that.

Anyways, I'm really hoping that the price is exactly what the AT&T page and the WWDC Keynotes speach stated - $199/$299 for everyone. done.

[matt archbold]

THIS ********** SUCKS!! :mad:

I switched to AT&T last June in the anticipation of buying an iPhone at some point. At that time, they told me that I could upgrade to an iPhone at any time and simply get a 2-year contract starting at that point (i.e. restart my 2-year contract).

Not you're telling me that They aren't even going to let me get an iPhone, even if I sign up for a 2-year contract? A contract is a contract, what does it matter whether I'm an existing subscriber or not if I agree to 2 more years?

I'm so pissed right now. I waited a long time for an iPhone, and was finally going to get one about a month ago, but decided to wait because the 3G version seemed imminent. Now I'm getting penalized BECAUSE I'm an AT&T customer? :confused:

No joke, this makes me seriously rethink getting any Apple or AT&T products ever again. This is just horrible customer's service. I'm so pissed off!!!!!!! Guess I'll never get an iPhone.

They told you that when you signed because that's what the process was for iPhone 1.0. With iPhone 2.0 comes new rules and restrictions. They will STILL sell you an iphone even if your only 6months into your current contract (like I am) and arent eligible for the upgrade price, you will just have a higher price that the subsidized price (like ALL phones sold by ALL cell phone companies when you aren't eligible for an upgrade). Such is life.

[fishmd]

Soooo...I've been examing AT&T's page on the iphone, and I can't find any little tidbit on it mentioning that the $199/$299 are Upgrade-only price points, and that those not eligible for an upgrade will have to pay more.

I know for a fact that the AT&T staff (both in-store and call center) don't have any other price info than the $199/$299 price points. I also started thinking about my calls to AT&T, and realized that I always started the phone talking about my upgrade eligibility. I think if I had just asked how much the phone would cost for me, and not mentioned upgrades, they would have just quoted me the $199/$299 prices and that would be that.



Guys I kinda have to agree here. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Steve-O say in his address that no one would have to pay more than 199$ for the phone (8GB model). And ATT still has not given the whole update yet either.

I really have to wonder here if the 199$/299$ is actually an UNSUBSIDIZED price. Who knows for sure. Steve never said, and neither has ATT directly said that this is the "subsidized" price point. We are all just assuming that it is. :D

Now a word on "up-gradability." I have been a long time user myself of another cell phone company (not ATT). It has always been the rule with any other cell phone that comes out that unless you are upgrade eligible (ie had a contract for x-months without recieving a new discounted phone from the company), that you could not get that said new phone for the subsidized price. This is nothing new here. I do not know why people who were early adopters of the first gen iphone are expecting that they would be upgrade eligible at all. Just wait until you are and then get the new phone. It is not that big of a deal. It will only be another few months that you may have to wait. Who cares....:p

[matt archbold]

I do not know why people who were early adopters of the first gen iphone are expecting that they would be upgrade eligible at all. Just wait until you are and then get the new phone. It is not that big of a deal. It will only be another few months that you may have to wait. Who cares....:p

ALL iphone owners that are under contract with AT&T can upgrade to the new phone at the 199/299 price as long as they sign a new 2 year agreement to replace their current one (regardless of tenure). No wait needed.

[VDA]

Ok...that settles it.

The hype has reached epic proportions...AGAIN!!

Entirely too many people will be scurrying about with iPhones after July 11.

So a Nuvifone for me it will be!! Yessir. Surely will be.

At least with it I won't hafta worry about having the same phone as every 12 year old in Mrs. Crabapple's remedial PE class (yeah I said it n you heard right --- they actually failed PE once before)!!!

Just goes to demonstrate the calibur of people that will now have the once discriminating iPhone within easy reach

[AboveTheChaos]

Wow, there is still so much confusion and guessing going on, even by employees. I'm a little concerned that ATT hasn't released more specific information. If it were good news, then they'd come out with the price plans and eligibility policies already. I'm guessing that they'll wait until the last minute because they don't want to anger everyone and have a lot of negative press/word of mouth for such a long time before the release date.

[dt2283]

So if it' s announced that we have to be eligible for an upgrade to buy the phone for the $199/299 price..would this work out?
-I'm on a family plan and my number is not eligible for an upgrade until 11/08. However, my dads line is eligible for an upgrade right now. If we bought the phone for his line, would I be able to put my simcard (which is 3G) into it and use it? I would just give him my lg cu500 to use.. :confused:

I'm in the same situation and I spoke with ATT and they said I could use the elegibility of any line on my family plan to get the iphone and then activate it under my phone number.

[supmango]

THIS ********** SUCKS!! :mad:

I switched to AT&T last June in the anticipation of buying an iPhone at some point. At that time, they told me that I could upgrade to an iPhone at any time and simply get a 2-year contract starting at that point (i.e. restart my 2-year contract).

Not you're telling me that They aren't even going to let me get an iPhone, even if I sign up for a 2-year contract? A contract is a contract, what does it matter whether I'm an existing subscriber or not if I agree to 2 more years?

I'm so pissed right now. I waited a long time for an iPhone, and was finally going to get one about a month ago, but decided to wait because the 3G version seemed imminent. Now I'm getting penalized BECAUSE I'm an AT&T customer? :confused:

No joke, this makes me seriously rethink getting any Apple or AT&T products ever again. This is just horrible customer's service. I'm so pissed off!!!!!!! Guess I'll never get an iPhone.

Wait and see what happens. My guess is that this all is probably just speculation, although it does make sense to those of us who have had to deal with AT&T before on this kind of issue. I am holding out hope that Apple has worked out this scenario already and will not allow AT&T to screw over its customers, that would just be a really stupid move for them and likely cause a rather serious stump in their growth margin for years to come. As a recent Apple convert, I assure you it cannot be any worse than what Microsoft does.

[kmerenda]

I really have to wonder here if the 199$/299$ is actually an UNSUBSIDIZED price. Who knows for sure. Steve never said, and neither has ATT directly said that this is the "subsidized" price point. We are all just assuming that it is. :D

I believe (though I have not tried to find it), that there is written documentation showing that AT&T is subsidizing the price of the iPhone. What I do NOT believe is that they are going to charge customers that are not upgrade eligible the cost that they are subsidizing. There is no note anywhere on the AT&T site, on the Apple site, or on any press release stating that customers must be new service or upgrade eligible to get the $199 / $299 price point.

What I think is that AT&T is making up the amount the subsidized in the increased monthly cost and in-store activation requirement. That is the direction that all the documentation points to, and there are only "leaked internal memos" to say otherwise.

[gkarris]

Wait and see what happens. My guess is that this all is probably just speculation, although it does make sense to those of us who have had to deal with AT&T before on this kind of issue. I am holding out hope that Apple has worked out this scenario already and will not allow AT&T to screw over its customers, that would just be a really stupid move for them and likely cause a rather serious stump in their growth margin for years to come. As a recent Apple convert, I assure you it cannot be any worse than what Microsoft does.

That's what I'm thinking.

It sort of looks bad for Steve Jobs to say up there "MAXIMUM $199" and you, an AT&T customer, walk in to find out AT&T wants to charge you $299 instead.

Maybe e-mail Steve Jobs and create an online petition? I would if I was in this situation...

[djransom]

That's what I'm thinking.

It sort of looks bad for Steve Jobs to say up there "MAXIMUM $199" and you, an AT&T customer, walk in to find out AT&T wants to charge you $299 instead.

Maybe e-mail Steve Jobs and create an online petition? I would if I was in this situation...

If you're going to petitition anyone then it should be AT&T not Apple. This is no longer in the hands of Apple. Apple gets paid for the phones and that's it now. AT&T doesn't have to give any and everyone subsidizing pricing. Those saying we it would stupid for them not to are wishfully thinking. Whether or not AT&T gives you subsidized pricing you are locked in to a 2 year deal that you pay them monthly so they're going to get their money one way or another like it or not.

[djd24]

I accidentally clicked on something while i was looking at the att phone shop. It was a chat to help with my order or something.. I talked to a lady on the chat and she said that ANYONE can get it for 199/299. She said that she was given info about the phone yesterday by her supervisor due to all of the questions on the phone..I'm going to believe this so i don't stress out about it until launch date.

I want to go on the chat and ask more reps to see what they have to say, but I dont know how to get to the chat anymore!!! It's driving me crazy can someone please tell me how to get to the chat on att.com?!:eek:

[djd24]

I accidentally clicked on something while i was looking at the att phone shop. It was a chat to help with my order or something.. I talked to a lady on the chat and she said that ANYONE can get it for 199/299. She said that she was given info about the phone yesterday by her supervisor due to all of the questions on the phone..I'm going to believe this so i don't stress out about it until launch date.

I want to go on the chat and ask more reps to see what they have to say, but I dont know how to get to the chat anymore!!! It's driving me crazy can someone please tell me how to get to the chat on att.com?!:eek:

nevermind i found it..

[djd24]

I am pretty confident that anyone will be able to buy it. I think we should ignore all of this upgrade stuff because we can't do anything about it now. My local apple and att stores told me that its the same for anyone and so have to the two people i spoke with online. They all seemed completely sure.

Here is one of them: Tonda Lynn: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat. My name is Tonda Lynn. I will be more than happy to assist you today.

J: Hello, is this where i can find out about a phone?

Tonda Lynn: I will be glad to help you with your phone.

J: This is about a phone that isn't out yet.

J: The iPhone 3g

J: I'm sure you have received many questions about it.

Tonda Lynn: Yes, how can I help you?

J: Okay, well I have heard that I have to be eligible for an upgrade in order to buy the phone for $199/$299. Is this true?

Tonda Lynn: No.

J: So regardless of whether or not I'm eligible for an upgrade, I can still buy it when it comes out for the 299$

Tonda Lynn: Yes, I will send you a link.

Tonda Lynn: http://www.att.com/iphone

J: Ok that would be great because there is a lot of confusion

Tonda Lynn: Hope this helps.

Tonda Lynn: No problem

J: The asterisk says qualified customers only?

Tonda Lynn: All long as you have a valid credit card, and acceptable credit. and you sign a 2 year agreement.

J: Thats good news.

J: So is this phone subsidized by att?

Tonda Lynn: Yes

J: Thats why all of confusion is happening.. people think its going to be like any other subsidized phone

J: so its an exception..because of the fact that we have to sign a $30 data plan?

Tonda Lynn: All of the iPhones were the same,

Tonda Lynn: In that all you needed was a credit card, good credit and sign a new 2 year contract.

J: Ok so its different from other phones.

Tonda Lynn: Yes

[memberako]

I am pretty confident that anyone will be able to buy it. I think we should ignore all of this upgrade stuff because we can't do anything about it now. My local apple and att stores told me that its the same for anyone and so have to the two people i spoke with online. They all seemed completely sure.

Here is one of them: Tonda Lynn: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat. My name is Tonda Lynn. I will be more than happy to assist you today.

J: Hello, is this where i can find out about a phone?

Tonda Lynn: I will be glad to help you with your phone.

J: This is about a phone that isn't out yet.

J: The iPhone 3g

J: I'm sure you have received many questions about it.

Tonda Lynn: Yes, how can I help you?

J: Okay, well I have heard that I have to be eligible for an upgrade in order to buy the phone for $199/$299. Is this true?

Tonda Lynn: No.

J: So regardless of whether or not I'm eligible for an upgrade, I can still buy it when it comes out for the 299$

Tonda Lynn: Yes, I will send you a link.

Tonda Lynn: http://www.att.com/iphone

J: Ok that would be great because there is a lot of confusion

Tonda Lynn: Hope this helps.

Tonda Lynn: No problem

J: The asterisk says qualified customers only?

Tonda Lynn: All long as you have a valid credit card, and acceptable credit. and you sign a 2 year agreement.

J: Thats good news.

J: So is this phone subsidized by att?

Tonda Lynn: Yes

J: Thats why all of confusion is happening.. people think its going to be like any other subsidized phone

J: so its an exception..because of the fact that we have to sign a $30 data plan?

Tonda Lynn: All of the iPhones were the same,

Tonda Lynn: In that all you needed was a credit card, good credit and sign a new 2 year contract.

J: Ok so its different from other phones.

Tonda Lynn: Yes

now that answers all the questions!

[natejohnstone@g]

djd24, you just made my week! Seriously, I hope that info is true because that would be so awesome. I've been bummed out all day about not being able to get an iPhone :( Now my hope is renewed.

[pcorrado]

I am pretty confident that anyone will be able to buy it. I think we should ignore all of this upgrade stuff because we can't do anything about it now. My local apple and att stores told me that its the same for anyone and so have to the two people i spoke with online. They all seemed completely sure.

Here is one of them: Tonda Lynn: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat. My name is Tonda Lynn. I will be more than happy to assist you today.

J: Hello, is this where i can find out about a phone?

Tonda Lynn: I will be glad to help you with your phone.

J: This is about a phone that isn't out yet.

J: The iPhone 3g

J: I'm sure you have received many questions about it.

Tonda Lynn: Yes, how can I help you?

J: Okay, well I have heard that I have to be eligible for an upgrade in order to buy the phone for $199/$299. Is this true?

Tonda Lynn: No.

J: So regardless of whether or not I'm eligible for an upgrade, I can still buy it when it comes out for the 299$

Tonda Lynn: Yes, I will send you a link.

Tonda Lynn: http://www.att.com/iphone

J: Ok that would be great because there is a lot of confusion

Tonda Lynn: Hope this helps.

Tonda Lynn: No problem

J: The asterisk says qualified customers only?

Tonda Lynn: All long as you have a valid credit card, and acceptable credit. and you sign a 2 year agreement.

J: Thats good news.

J: So is this phone subsidized by att?

Tonda Lynn: Yes

J: Thats why all of confusion is happening.. people think its going to be like any other subsidized phone

J: so its an exception..because of the fact that we have to sign a $30 data plan?

Tonda Lynn: All of the iPhones were the same,

Tonda Lynn: In that all you needed was a credit card, good credit and sign a new 2 year contract.

J: Ok so its different from other phones.

Tonda Lynn: Yes

finally something that sounds about right...

[BigSky20]

Thank you for your patience! An AT&T sales representative will be with you shortly.
You are now chatting with Cristina R, an AT&T sales representative.

B : Hi
Cristina R: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Cristina R: Hello B
B : I have a question about the 3G iPhone.
Cristina R: About the calling plans?
B : I purchase the original iPhone on Sept 15, 2007. My company switched to a blackberry system and I had to get rid of my iPhone and get a Blackberry in December. Will I be able to now buy a 16gb phone for $299?
Cristina R: Yes you will.
B : I will even though I purchased the Blackberry in December 2007 with a 2-yr contract and reduced pricing?
Cristina R: The price for the iPhone will be the same to non AT&T customers and existing customers
B : Great....thank you for your help!
Cristina R: Thank you for choosing AT&T. Have a great day.
B : One more question.....will I have to replace my current 2 year contract or will I extend my current contract 2 years from the day I buy the 3G iPhone.
Cristina R: It will not extend your contract.
B: Ok...great

[whosyourtator]

This rumor has no substance. Numerous ATT support people have told many people on this thread that EVERYONE can get the iphone for $199/$299.

That leaves two possibilities.

1. ) Gizmodo is on crack and just wanted to get a lot of Diggs when they broke this story.
2. ) ATT Reps are confused.

I pick item 1. Gizmodo based this story on links to policies on Wirefly and Bestbuy.com describing upgrade eligibility. The iPhone is different, it always has been and will continue to be based on what many people have reported after speaking with ATT reps. Just review this thread and the thread at Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g?cpage=2#viewcomments).

I think Macrumors and Gizmodo need to both post an update saying this is all unsubstantiated and based on updates to policies on Wirefly and Bestbuy.com eligibility. I understand this site is MacRUMORs, but I think Macrumors has been responsible in the past with its Rumor Report Cards. I would think Macrumors would be willing to update the hogwash on the article for this story to mention how many people have contacted ATT and discredited the original story.

[yangtw76]

is it possible to get new iphone without internet service?
or is it mandatory to get the $30 data plan?

[radiogod69]

is it possible to get new iphone without internet service?
or is it mandatory to get the $30 data plan?

yes it is required as it is with any other PDA (non iPhones do have the option to remove data plans when you call a service rep) however because this is the iPhone you cannot remove the data plan at this time. ATT might change the rules on this.

[zephead]

is it possible to get new iphone without internet service?
or is it mandatory to get the $30 data plan?

Pardon my bluntness, but if you're not going to use the data services on the iPhone (which a lot of its apps do), then perhaps the iPhone isn't the right phone for you. It doesn't make sense to spend extra money to buy something like the iPhone if you're only going to use it for calls.

[yangtw76]

i will use iphone for scheduling with ical sync, address book sync, ipod, video ipod, wi-fi internet service(i'm almost always connected to the internet), plus tons of apps.. why not?
The only sacrifice that i have to make is using internet on the road that i don't do much.

Still doesn't make sense?

[h2z81]

I work in an Apple Retail store, and I can confirm that we know *nothing*. Anything an Apple employee tells you is speculation.

Nothing official has come down on our end.

[LoganT]

Didn't Gizmodo also report on the day of the iPhone 3G annoucement that they had talked to an AT&T representative and they said that everyone would get the phone for $199/$299? Why does everyone believe the bad news over the good news?

[MacToddB]

I am actually eligible to upgrade, but this could apply to a new AT&T customer as well... I'm wondering if it makes sense to do the following:

1) Go to an AT&T store and upgrade my iPhone 1.0 to a free, non-:apple: phone. I would have to commit to a new 2 year contract, through July 2010.

2) Some time later (August?), "upgrade" to an iPhone 3G, with a 2 year contract, ending August 2010.

I'd end up with an extra phone. I could keep it as a spare, or eBay it, along with my iPhone 1.0. I'd probably have two separate activation fees though, but only one is "extra" if I was going to get the 3G anyway.

Any flaws in the plan? I think I'd wait til July 11th at least to make sure they haven't grandfathered iPhone 1.0 data plans, and that AT&T doesn't "disallow" this, ie. might I have to have my 'old' new phone/contract for more than 30 days?

[Roller]

Thank you for your patience! An AT&T sales representative will be with you shortly.
You are now chatting with Cristina R, an AT&T sales representative.

B : Hi
Cristina R: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Cristina R: Hello B
B : I have a question about the 3G iPhone.
Cristina R: About the calling plans?
B : I purchase the original iPhone on Sept 15, 2007. My company switched to a blackberry system and I had to get rid of my iPhone and get a Blackberry in December. Will I be able to now buy a 16gb phone for $299?
Cristina R: Yes you will.
B : I will even though I purchased the Blackberry in December 2007 with a 2-yr contract and reduced pricing?
Cristina R: The price for the iPhone will be the same to non AT&T customers and existing customers
B : Great....thank you for your help!
Cristina R: Thank you for choosing AT&T. Have a great day.
B : One more question.....will I have to replace my current 2 year contract or will I extend my current contract 2 years from the day I buy the 3G iPhone.
Cristina R: It will not extend your contract.
B: Ok...great

I don't doubt that the AT&T people in these transcripts said what they believed to be true. But I also doubt some of what they say, since it contradicts information from other sources in AT&T. I especially wonder about Cristina R's contention that current contracts won't be extended if you upgrade, since that's so different from SOP for wireless carriers in the U.S.

I don't think we'll know for sure until people actually begin to upgrade on July 11.

[Harley05]

I am actually eligible to upgrade, but this could apply to a new AT&T customer as well... I'm wondering if it makes sense to do the following:

1) Go to an AT&T store and upgrade my iPhone 1.0 to a free, non-:apple: phone. I would have to commit to a new 2 year contract, through July 2010.

2) Some time later (August?), "upgrade" to an iPhone 3G, with a 2 year contract, ending August 2010.

I'd end up with an extra phone. I could keep it as a spare, or eBay it, along with my iPhone 1.0. I'd probably have two separate activation fees though, but only one is "extra" if I was going to get the 3G anyway.

Any flaws in the plan? I think I'd wait til July 11th at least to make sure they haven't grandfathered iPhone 1.0 data plans, and that AT&T doesn't "disallow" this, ie. might I have to have my 'old' new phone/contract for more than 30 days?

If you already have an iphone, your fine, no need to do anything but wait until July 11th. Then upgrade to the iphone 3G and sign a new 2 year deal. Done.

[MacToddB]

If you already have an iphone, your fine, no need to do anything but wait until July 11th. Then upgrade to the iphone 3G and sign a new 2 year deal. Done.


Perhaps I wasn't clear. I know I can do that.

But it looks like I might be able to upgrade on July 10th to a Samsung, say, and sign a contract until July 10, 2010. Then, come back on July 11th, get an iPhone, and sign a contract until July 11, 2010. Basically, I get a free phone (not counting a second activation).

[gkarris]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I know I can do that.

But it looks like I might be able to upgrade on July 10th to a Samsung, say, and sign a contract until July 10, 2010. Then, come back on July 11th, get an iPhone, and sign a contract until July 11, 2010. Basically, I get a free phone (not counting a second activation).

You will have to pay a second activation fee...

Nice to know, though, what Steve said about the $199 max is holding true.

They probably made this a stipulation with AT&T when they decided to forgo revenue sharing.

[gkarris]

I have been wanting to give my old iPhone to my wife and upgrade to a 3G. Now I'm practically dreading 7/11 for the complexity of it all.

Oh, and I HATE the idea of being stuck with only 16GB of memory through 2010. That's going to be the equivalent of running around with a 256MB thumb drive today.

(see sig....)

(starts throwing old 4MB Compact Flash cards at ya...)

[bytethese]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I know I can do that.

But it looks like I might be able to upgrade on July 10th to a Samsung, say, and sign a contract until July 10, 2010. Then, come back on July 11th, get an iPhone, and sign a contract until July 11, 2010. Basically, I get a free phone (not counting a second activation).

Nope, doesn't look like that. According to all info published so far, only those eligible for an upgrade (18-21mo into their contract) can purchase the iPhone 3G.

If you get a "free" phone, you use an AT&T subsidy and cannot get the 3G iPhone for 18 more months, hence screwing yourself. :) Sure you can buy an unsubsidised phone I guess, get the 3G iPhone and sell the other by why even go through that hassle? Just wait and sell your old iPhone after you upgrade. :)

[Jstick]

What about rollover minutes accumulated?

if you have a lot of rollover minutes that means you never use your phone! i dont get when ppl worry about this.

but unless different for the iphone which it makes no sense why it would, when you upgrade/extend contract your rollover minutes stay with you. (i worked at ATT)

[livemixer]

This question may have already been answered, but will the GPS only work when in a 3G coverage area?

[MacToddB]

if you have a lot of rollover minutes that means you never use your phone! i dont get when ppl worry about this.

but unless different for the iphone which it makes no sense why it would, when you upgrade/extend contract your rollover minutes stay with you. (i worked at ATT)

All it takes is a slow month, and they can build up. For example, last May I took a two week transatlantic cruise with the phone off (I used my Belkin WiFi Skype phone when possible). So I had a ton of rollover minutes in June 2007 when I got my iPhone 1.0, and they all disappeared. New plan means rollover minutes don't carry over. Found that out the hard way. You worked at A&T?

[natejohnstone@g]

Pardon my bluntness, but if you're not going to use the data services on the iPhone (which a lot of its apps do), then perhaps the iPhone isn't the right phone for you. It doesn't make sense to spend extra money to buy something like the iPhone if you're only going to use it for calls.


Totally DISAGREE with you here. The iPhone is a simply amazing deal even if it has no data plan and is basically just an iPod Touch plus a phone. WiFi allows you to still get internet sometimes, just not anytime you want. For those who are in WiFi range most of the time (like me), the $30 data plan is superfluous.

It's not likely that AT&T will change this anytime soon, since the data plan is how they are making their money (i.e. how they can subsidize the iPhone in the first place).

[fishmd]

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I know I can do that.

But it looks like I might be able to upgrade on July 10th to a Samsung, say, and sign a contract until July 10, 2010. Then, come back on July 11th, get an iPhone, and sign a contract until July 11, 2010. Basically, I get a free phone (not counting a second activation).

Just to let you know, by doing this, you would fall within the 30 day exchange period offered with a new phone and new plan (or new phone and re-commitment). Ie. when you go to buy the iphone the next day, you would have to exchange in the other phone for it. You would not get to keep it. It would be like you were saying to ATT, "I just got this new phone and tried it out, but it does not suit my needs so I want the iphone." They would say, "Ok, since you are in your 30 day trial, you can exchange it and try this one instead." Good try though.

Now, maybe if you signed up and got the new phone and then after 30 days bought the iphone...That my work. Who knows for sure though. :cool:

[yamson97]

Sorry if this has been asked/answered...

I imagine there will be a lot of relatively inexpensive 1st generation EDGE iPhones on eBay after July. As an existing non-iPhone AT&T customer, could I buy a used EDGE iPhone and then: 1) Sign up for the $20/mo EDGE data plan and 2) Have no contract extension required?

[edere]

after reading the memo, i'm still confused about one thing. i'm currently a non-iPhone AT&T customer with just a calling plan and NO data plan. the memo only talks about current subscribers WITH data plans. would i be eligible for the subsidized price?

and can't you just look up to see if your eligible for the discounted price by logging into your account on the AT&T website and looking at the upgrade eligibility status?

[findnemo]

I currently own a 2g iphone, if I switch to the 3g iphone and sign a 2 year contract extension, what happens to my 2g iphone?

Can I add another line to my family plan and give the 2g iphone to my son and have it working?

[charlituna]

So AT&T is punishing their own customers?!?
That's cold, AT&T. That's cold.

no more so than they do if you want to upgrade your regular cell phone.

[charlituna]

I believe that AT&T will post a non-subsidized price before July 11th because they won't want to miss out on the sale. that's like saying, "no, I don't want your $500."


but the trouble there, to ATT, is that if they don't subsidized the phone, folks will scream foul about being forced to go with ATT at time of purchase, take the phone home and unlock it etc. and that is one of the things they are trying to prevent. that's why they don't want you to leave the store without a contract for service. or a way to charge you if you don't sign up. it's also why they are making you return the phone if you want to cancel.

[charlituna]

I read on one of the on-line rumor website (I don't remember which one) that existing iPhone customers would pay $199 for the new 8GB iPhone and have to sign a new 2 year contract as was reported here. However, that other post stated that existing iPhone customers would continue to pay the $20/month charge for digital service and 200 SMS message plan.



not what I heard. I heard that they confirmed that they are keeping the rates for 2G customers that don't upgrade. in other words, they weren't going to raise your rates because you won't have a phone that could go 3G. at least for the time being.

also, on the "no SMS" stuff. I've heard both ways. that yes it is included, and no it is not. So i'm waiting until the phones release to see the final info. about that and about whether I can upgrade or not cause I am upgrade eligible (I'm in like month 20 of 24) if I get a regular cell phone.

[charlituna]

Its normal apple... very secreative...:rolleyes:

in this case it is not so much secrets but rather that they don't have the final answer and thus don't want to give out half ass info.

it reminds me of the near disaster Scholastic had with Harry Potter a couple of books back. they set a release date before they had the manuscript to start production and had to change the date like 5 times. I think this was book 5. so after that, they gave no date until the presses were rolling. that way they didn't have to change things and look like dumb dumbs.

[charlituna]

ugh. sux. I bought iphone 2g on May 24. 3 days before upgrade eligibility. What a crock.:mad:



actually I don't think that is about upgrade eligibility. from what I was told by the guy at my local ATT store, they have a 14 day policy on returning the iphone for a refund. the May 27th date would be the earliest you could have bought the phone and then brought it back on announcement day and gotten a refund.

so they are as a courtesy for the few folks that managed to find a phone during that time, going to honor returns even though technically you are beyond 14 days. this guy said he heard it would be treated like you bought it on July 11th so you'd have the next two weeks to return it.

so if you bought the 8GB phone you could return it and get back your $399 and then buy a new 8GB for $199.

but he said that that was only for ATT store purchases. he didn't know what the deal with phones bought at an Apple store would be.

[radiogod69]

I just got off the phone with a Laurie Lawson with business care at ATT and she advised the got the upgrade information on the new iPhone 3G. She said everyone will be able to get it at $199/$299 price, because thats what Apple set the prices at. She also said if ATT were selling them any cheaper, then you would have to be eligible for that upgraded price (ex. $99/$199). And she said they won't give any discount still for government/business accounts (like 15% off a month), which is what they did with the original iphone. You just have to sign a new 2 year contract.

Agreed, Anyone have any predictions for when Apple/ATT will have final announcements for pricing on the iPhone 3g?

[charlituna]

Agreed, Anyone have any predictions for when Apple/ATT will have final announcements for pricing on the iPhone 3g?

i think last year it was basically the beginning of that last week before release. so probably the same this time. maybe even not until the middle of the week

[jplan2008]

This rumor has no substance. Numerous ATT support people have told many people on this thread that EVERYONE can get the iphone for $199/$299.

That leaves two possibilities.

1. ) Gizmodo is on crack and just wanted to get a lot of Diggs when they broke this story.
2. ) ATT Reps are confused.

I pick item 1. Gizmodo based this story on links to policies on Wirefly and Bestbuy.com describing upgrade eligibility. The iPhone is different, it always has been and will continue to be based on what many people have reported after speaking with ATT reps. Just review this thread and the thread at Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g?cpage=2#viewcomments).

I think Macrumors and Gizmodo need to both post an update saying this is all unsubstantiated and based on updates to policies on Wirefly and Bestbuy.com eligibility. I understand this site is MacRUMORs, but I think Macrumors has been responsible in the past with its Rumor Report Cards. I would think Macrumors would be willing to update the hogwash on the article for this story to mention how many people have contacted ATT and discredited the original story.

I'm confused about Macrumors' handling of this story, too. They've now reposted a link to "guide" on the front page for this story, again reporting it is "fact" and not "rumor." (the front page says the issue is "murky," but the guide makes it seem like fact) I don't see anything in the story that indicates it's fact -- there's a link to "a new memo" -- as I said before and others have repeated, it's just a link to Gizmodo that links to pages showing AT&T's regular upgrade policies. So I don't know why it isn't reported with a question mark in title, and "according to Gizmodo" in the article. If Macrumors admins trust Gizmodo, they can say that in the article, just like they say sources have been "mixed," or "unreliable" etc. Or if there are other un-named sources, cite "our sources." AT&T hasn't said anything official, so I'm not sure why it's being reported as if it's official. If the rumor turns out to be true, then the story will have said "according to Gizmodo, who we think is reliable," and no harm done. But if it turns out to be false, then it will still have been reported as "according to Gizmodo," and NOT in a "guide" telling readers "what we know" about upgrade policy, and not reporting "a new memo" as if it's about the iPhone but isn't.

[c.joe.go]

but he said that that was only for ATT store purchases. he didn't know what the deal with phones bought at an Apple store would be.

now i wonder....

what if apple gives the finger to at&t and sells it to everyone at $199/$299?

i could see steve doing that.

[radiogod69]

now i wonder....

what if apple gives the finger to at&t and sells it to everyone at $199/$299?

i could see steve doing that.

I'd pay money to get that captured on video and post it on you tube!

[arn]

Hey guys,

I realize that there is a lot of confusion regarding this, and I can't claim to know all the details about the policies of AT&T. But I am trying to consolidate the most likely information.

A few notes: AT&T reps have no additional knowledge than we do on this item. It's been shown multiple times that they are not any better informed than the rest of us on these issues prior to an iPhone launch. Posting a transcript with an AT&T rep is not proof of anything.

The most reliable information we have comes from the leaked AT&T memo. Which corroborates the latest Gizmodo posting that you need to be eligible for upgrade.

From Leaked AT&T Memo (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/06/09/iphone-3g-the-details-you-never-wanted-to-know/)
Upgrade Eligibility and Qualified Upgrade Pricing
Upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard upgrade eligibility rules. Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.

Note: When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure.

In plain english, all 1st Gen iPhone owners are eligible. Non iPhone owners need to meet standard eligibility requirements which have been posted in the original story.

Obviously, things can change, and the best we can do is wait until an official announcement, but this appears to be the best known information.

arn

[chequepoint]

Because I'm tired of seeing it. The first iphone was subsidized. You bought it at a certain price, under the conditions that you would activate it with ATT. In exchange for your activation, Apple got money. If apple didn't get money, you would have had to pay more for the phone. SO YOUR IPHONE WAS SUBSIDIZED. Apple was attempting something different, a policy that was less confusing to the customer, rewarded them for generating customer loyalty, and didn't punish the customer if they broke their iphone. The longer you kept your iphone running, the more money apple made. Great plan

THE WHOLE PROBLEM IS THAT SCUMBAGS TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO UNLOCK THE PHONE, USE THEM WITH TMOBILE, AND SCREW THE REST OF US.

Now everybody has to deal with the same convoluted garbage that every other cell phone manufacturer puts us through, the price of the phone went up drastically if you actually do the math (Old iphone cost $880, iphone 3G costs $1040). Plus you get the added fun that if you break your iphone, and want a new one, you're going to have to pay some kind of insane price if they'll let you buy one at all.

Apple was losing so much money by selling subsidized phones to people who were unlocking them, thus denying apple their subsidy, that they are willing to take less money per customer (and let ATT crap all over their customer service policies) just to stop the hemorrhaging. The new policy means apple gets their cash up front, and its ATT's problem after that.

Hackers, Thieves, and general scumbags ruin things in the long run for everybody, every time, just to get their way for the moment. Because of them, now I have to have dongles just to run software, call companies to activate it, and practically get frisked every time I go to the movies just to make sure I'm not sneaking in a video camera.

[know-it-all5]

THIS ********** SUCKS!! :mad:

I switched to AT&T last June in the anticipation of buying an iPhone at some point. At that time, they told me that I could upgrade to an iPhone at any time and simply get a 2-year contract starting at that point (i.e. restart my 2-year contract).

Not you're telling me that They aren't even going to let me get an iPhone, even if I sign up for a 2-year contract? A contract is a contract, what does it matter whether I'm an existing subscriber or not if I agree to 2 more years?

I'm so pissed right now. I waited a long time for an iPhone, and was finally going to get one about a month ago, but decided to wait because the 3G version seemed imminent. Now I'm getting penalized BECAUSE I'm an AT&T customer? :confused:

No joke, this makes me seriously rethink getting any Apple or AT&T products ever again. This is just horrible customer's service. I'm so pissed off!!!!!!! Guess I'll never get an iPhone.

Relax, all the emails in the world from apple or att, will not convince me that current att subscribers will be barred from purchasing an iphone. You will be sold the iphone for the 199/299 price point. At the very worst, you may receive a small penalty to pay off the cost of the phone they subsidized for you. They will not alienate one of the biggest groups buying the iphone. Lets be honest the majority of the people getting the iphone will be people currently on att. There is no way apple will let att prevent a huge percentage of consumers, not buy their device. Apple specified that the highest price of the iphone will be the 199/299$ price points... That will be for everyone, just wait and see. Right now we have 3 weeks before launch. These 3 weeks are likely being spent ironing out the details that will almost surely be passed on to the consumer at the very last minute. Don't worry good sir... You will have your iphone 3g.

[charlituna]

Relax, all the emails in the world from apple or att, will not convince me that current att subscribers will be barred from purchasing an iphone. You will be sold the iphone for the 199/299 price point. At the very worst, you may receive a small penalty to pay off the cost of the phone they subsidized for you. They will not alienate one of the biggest groups buying the iphone.


in the past (pre iphone) if I wanted to change my phone during my contract I had to pay an upgrade fee. which I assumed was the cost of the phone that was being waived cause I had the contract. basically I paid X amount up front (sometimes nothing) and a chunk of my monthly fee was paying off the phone. so I never really got it for free, I got it on a payment plan.

and the further into my contract I was, the less I had to pay as an upgrade fee because I had paid more on the cost of my phone. with me so far.

now I doubt that ATT is going to diss current non iPhone peeps cause hey, we might say "screw them and the dang iphone" and quit and go off to someone else. but they might still charge the upgrade fee if we haven't gotten far enough into our contracts (usually around 20-21 months from what I can tell) to have paid off our previous 'free' phone.

however this is just my guess and we'll have to see what happens when the phones are released.

[Jstick]

yes it is required as it is with any other PDA (non iPhones do have the option to remove data plans when you call a service rep) however because this is the iPhone you cannot remove the data plan at this time. ATT might change the rules on this.

its not required with other PDA's. it just means that you wouldnt get the rebate, usually $100 which i felt is how the iphone was going to work. get the $30 data plan to get a 100 off....but its just gonna be a straight 199 0r 299 which i just dont believe completely

[radiogod69]

It seems some of these reports have conflicted with others, I am talking specifically about current iPhone users. One report says if your a current iPhone user you can upgrade to the current subsidized price, and another report said if you bought an iphone on or after 5/27 you can upgrade to the new iphone at the discounted price, has anyone else caught this? or is it just me?

[Kremner]

Can anyone confirm whether you can
1. Keep your old phone number during an upgrade AND
2. Keep the phone number you have in use from another carrier when you create a new ATT account for the new Iphone

Thanks from Jonathan Kremner for any input regarding this basic but important (to me anyway) info!
JK

[yg17]

Can anyone confirm whether you can
1. Keep your old phone number during an upgrade AND
2. Keep the phone number you have in use from another carrier when you create a new ATT account for the new Iphone

Thanks from Jonathan Kremner for any input regarding this basic but important (to me anyway) info!
JK

Yes and yes

[radiogod69]

Can anyone confirm whether you can
1. Keep your old phone number during an upgrade AND
2. Keep the phone number you have in use from another carrier when you create a new ATT account for the new Iphone

Thanks from Jonathan Kremner for any input regarding this basic but important (to me anyway) info!
JK

It's called "porting" in case you didn't know that, make sure you watch it like a hawk though, I specifically asked to have my number ported from verizon on the ATT website but they messed it up and gave me a new line, its fixed now. So just make sure they do it right and tell them what you want specifically.

[GeekyTiki]

I am a longtime ATT customer and unfortunately I am not due an upgrade until January 2009. I purchased my blackjack because I had just moved and needed a local number. I do not mind paying the no-commitment price, because I am not due yet, but they should not be able to then force me into a new contract. They should not be able to have it both ways, I pay extra and have to re-up as if I was paying off the subsidy. I should be allowed to go on with my normal contract, I already have an unlimited data plan, with no extension time added to my current contract.

[gkarris]

I am a longtime ATT customer and unfortunately I am not due an upgrade until January 2009. I purchased my blackjack because I had just moved and needed a local number. I do not mind paying the no-commitment price, because I am not due yet, but they should not be able to then force me into a new contract. They should not be able to have it both ways, I pay extra and have to re-up as if I was paying off the subsidy. I should be allowed to go on with my normal contract, I already have an unlimited data plan, with no extension time added to my current contract.

Yes, all the cell phone companies do this. I wanted to replace a very worn phone I had with T-Mobile a year after I got it, with a year left on the contract, but they wanted to charge my the unsubsidized price ($200 extra) AND extend the contract out another 2 years. So the total was $350 and 2 more years on the contract - I said no way.

No matter, iPhones became unlockable and the 4 Gig iPhone was being closed out for $300. :D

[TimothyB]

I am a longtime ATT customer and unfortunately I am not due an upgrade until January 2009. I purchased my blackjack because I had just moved and needed a local number. I do not mind paying the no-commitment price, because I am not due yet, but they should not be able to then force me into a new contract. They should not be able to have it both ways, I pay extra and have to re-up as if I was paying off the subsidy. I should be allowed to go on with my normal contract, I already have an unlimited data plan, with no extension time added to my current contract.


I feel the same. Now that the iPhone is a treated like a normal phone, well, almost, where you expect the subsidized price is the reward for signing up for 2 years. But the catch is, they are still doing what they did with the first iPhone, 2 year contract no matter what, being exclusive, they could do what they want. They new this was a special phone.

All this time before people were paying full price and having to sign a 2 year contract to use it. This is not totally shocking then, but confusing now that there's subsidizing mixed in. Making people angry they get no special deal for 2 year commitment.

Though, the people that buy subsidized now will have to wait the near full 2 years before they can upgrade again. While those that pay full price, they're upgrade eligibility still will count down from where it was at. Thus, by the time the next iphone is out, with say hopefully stereo bluetooth , more memory, and other features, you'd get the subsidized price that round, while the others may will have to pay full price or wait like 10-16 months.

Again, this is a special phone, and anyone should be allowed to get the $199.$299 price with two years. I mean, even ATT proves that point by changing their rules for this phone because they know how special it is. Like 2 year contract even with no subsidizing. Or now you hear you have to buy the data plan for $30, no voice only, what other phone forces you to do that. That's slap in the face when it has wifi and you might not be in a 3G area. So I say screw the whole concept of upgrade eligibility and that some how it's only fair for ATT since they already gave you a discount. That's BS since how is it fair that ATT is changing everything for this one phone to take more money from you? If it was like any other phone, and you paid full price with no contract extension, hurray.

[hijofrizbe]

I have been wanting to give my old iPhone to my wife and upgrade to a 3G. Now I'm practically dreading 7/11 for the complexity of it all.

Oh, and I HATE the idea of being stuck with only 16GB of memory through 2010. That's going to be the equivalent of running around with a 256MB thumb drive today.

Hey, I still use my 256mb thumb drive...heh.! I can survive the 256 thumb drive, but I can't survive using this BlackcrackJackII anymore, and I'll be kind of peeved to find out that I switched to 5 months too early. I have faith so far in SJ and ATT... hopefully I won't get rammed in the *bum* for it.

[jplan2008]

It seems some of these reports have conflicted with others, I am talking specifically about current iPhone users. One report says if your a current iPhone user you can upgrade to the current subsidized price, and another report said if you bought an iphone on or after 5/27 you can upgrade to the new iphone at the discounted price, has anyone else caught this? or is it just me?

According to these reports, if you bought a 1st gen. AFTER MAy 27, you can upgrade to 3G and RECEIVE the difference between what you paid and the $199/$299 price (turning your phone in, I assume? I'm not sure). Other iPhone owners would receive the discounted $199/$299 price (and keep their iPhone). You had two weeks to return the iPhone -- May 28 was 2 weeks before announcement of 3G.

[HDJulie]

According to these reports, if you bought a 1st gen. AFTER MAy 27, you can upgrade to 3G and RECEIVE the difference between what you paid and the $199/$299 price (turning your phone in, I assume? I'm not sure). Other iPhone owners would receive the discounted $199/$299 price (and keep their iPhone). You had two weeks to return the iPhone -- May 28 was 2 weeks before announcement of 3G.

Yes, the May 27th one requires you to turn in the old phone & the difference is less a 10% restocking fee. I am in that group but I want to keep my phone & just get a new one at the subsidized price.

[The Sweet Love]

If AT&T sells the phone at a higher rate to customers who are not eligible for an upgrade..it seems like a HORRIBLE deal for Apple. AT&T could break even by selling their customers who are not eligible for an upgrade the iPhone 3G at the price they bought it from Apple..AND make $30 a month of that person..with Apple seeing none of that money. Or AT&T could even make the price higher than what they paid for it..which would make them a profit from the phone and the monthly data plan. Why wouldn't Apple enter into an agreement saying "you can only sell it for $199/$299 and we won't receive monthly revenue from you anymore." I just don't see why Apple would allow AT&T to break even or even make a profit off of the iPhone like that.

That all being said..I am not eligible for an upgrade until 2009...and I don't believe AT&T will allow me receive the phone for $199/$299. I am deeply disappointed though that every where the price is listed all it says is "requires 2 year contract" and no mention of upgrade eligibility.

[charlituna]

just to see what I'd find out, I popped into my local apple store and played dumb with a ton of questions about the iphone.

here's what I was told

1. they have not received final word on the pricing plans so they can not confirm or deny rumors of a $30 data plan with no SMS included. they also haven't been told when to expect the information except that they would have it on the 11th when the phones go on sale. but possibly not before then.

2. the price is $199/$299. that is what they were told. that is what they were told to tell customers. there was nothing about alternate pricing for anyone.

3. they have not been told anything about upgrade fines, eligibility etc. based on what they know at this point, anyone can buy it. such issues are up to ATT, more info later

4. about the whole activation thing, they don't have exact details but there will be two parts. one in store and one that you will have a time limit to complete at home. if you don't complete it, you will be considered in violation of your agreement and be fined the termination fee. that much they do know. the exact nature of what they will have to do is unknown but would be something to link you, the unit and a form of payment for the fine. so no, we won't be stuck waiting 20 minutes while the jerk ahead of us debates rate plans with his wife.

so, not a lot of info but there it is from Apple. subject to massive change of course when they get their information

[jacamo]

From what i have been told it would seem that people are confusing "discounted price" with "actual price". Att is not offering a discounted to price to anyone, the price of the phone is 199/299 and thats it. I am currently an att customer who would not qualify for a discounted iphone price IF att were offering one...but they are not. Didnt everyone pay the same price on the 1st gen iphone whether they were an att customer or not? The more everyone talks about this the more it seems like it will become a self-fullfilling prophecy.

[NewMackie]

I just purchased two 16 gig iphones 3/20/08! I assume these are 2G so they are saying that people that have 1G phones are eligible to upgrade and get a refund!! and someone that just purchased within 6 months is not.:mad: They knew they were coming out with a new phone:mad: they should have an option for anyone that purchased within 6 months:mad: as they did with all that uproar about the first iphone! I hate being swindled! Why May 27th as a cut off date? what relevance does that have??

On another note:
can someone tell me the difference between the 2G and 3G other than GPS? I may not care if the difference is not that great:p

[MacToddB]

I just purchased two 16 gig iphones 3/20/08! I assume these are 2G so they are saying that people that have 1G phones are eligible to upgrade and get a refund!! and someone that just purchased within 6 months is not.:mad: They knew they were coming out with a new phone:mad: they should have an option for anyone that purchased within 6 months:mad: as they did with all that uproar about the first iphone! I hate being swindled! Why May 27th as a cut off date? what relevance does that have??

On another note:
can someone tell me the difference between the 2G and 3G other than GPS? I may not care if the difference is not that great:p

Relax. First, "3G" is a specific technology, independent of Apple, and has been around longer than the iPhone. There are 3G phones from Samsung, BlackBerry, etc.

When people refer to "1G" or "2G" they are referring to the current style of iPhone. 1G was what the original buyers (like myself) got, and 2G was when they refreshed the product with 16GB of storage. People also call the EDGE network "2.5G" because it's not quite 3G speeds.

People who bought on or after May 27th could have returned their iPhone when the new one was announced (within 14 day return) so as a goodwill, they can upgrade. If you had the phone as long as you (or I) did, then you've gotten your money's worth. I bought it at full price, so I'm still eligible to upgrade...not sure what your situation is. And AT&T could be clearer about the $199/$299 pricing...

But I don't think you have much to complain about. A lot of us think the 1G/2G phone at the old pricing ($20/month inc 200 SMS) is better, so enjoy and when the 32GB models come out, upgrade then.

[akazmucha]

We all think its subsidized because AT&T says its subsidized:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25791


also, AT&T's chief executive also said it was subsidized
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121305706681259335.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


This is what the AT&T site says:

*Qualified customers only. 2 year contract required. Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions. Based on iPhone 3G (8GB) and first-generation iPhone (8GB) purchases. Requires new 2-year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.

It says nothing about it being subsidized. Just says qualified customers only, which could mean anything from credit check, to not owing them tons of money from a previous account, etc...No one will know for sure until they say. I'm hoping current customers who aren't upgrade eligible can get that price. I'm going to get one either way, but it would be much easier to swallow if I can still get the 16GB 3G version for 299 come July 11th.

[lnferno]

On the leaked memo, it really doesn't address what the options are for current AT&T customers who do not qualify for an upgrade.

Still confused :confused:

[lnferno]

Ok -- FWIW, the CSR that I spoke with a few minutes ago documented it in my account that even though I'm not eligible for an upgrade, I can get the new iPhone for the standard $199/$299 fees as long as I sign a new 2 year deal. She also hinted that there will likely be an upgrade fee. I asked her "How much of an upgrade fee? $25-40?" She said "Yes, somewhere around those numbers, but nothing official has been released on that, yet."

It sounds like to me that's going to be the main difference -- paying an upgrade fee vs. already being eligible. If that's the case, then I'm okay with that.

[cryo]

Ok -- FWIW, the CSR that I spoke with a few minutes ago documented it in my account that even though I'm not eligible for an upgrade, I can get the new iPhone for the standard $199/$299 fees as long as I sign a new 2 year deal. She also hinted that there will likely be an upgrade fee. I asked her "How much of an upgrade fee? $25-40?" She said "Yes, somewhere around those numbers, but nothing official has been released on that, yet."

It sounds like to me that's going to be the main difference -- paying an upgrade fee vs. already being eligible. If that's the case, then I'm okay with that.

If it's that low, that's not too bad.

[NewMackie]

Relax. First, "3G" is a specific technology, independent of Apple, and has been around longer than the iPhone. There are 3G phones from Samsung, BlackBerry, etc.

When people refer to "1G" or "2G" they are referring to the current style of iPhone. 1G was what the original buyers (like myself) got, and 2G was when they refreshed the product with 16GB of storage. People also call the EDGE network "2.5G" because it's not quite 3G speeds.

People who bought on or after May 27th could have returned their iPhone when the new one was announced (within 14 day return) so as a goodwill, they can upgrade. If you had the phone as long as you (or I) did, then you've gotten your money's worth. I bought it at full price, so I'm still eligible to upgrade...not sure what your situation is. And AT&T could be clearer about the $199/$299 pricing...

But I don't think you have much to complain about. A lot of us think the 1G/2G phone at the old pricing ($20/month inc 200 SMS) is better, so enjoy and when the 32GB models come out, upgrade then.

:eek:I am stating that I have ONLY had this phone for THREE month!! not nearly as long as you. What a YEAR or so?? And you think i got my monies worth?? Do you just post without reading?? I have only had TWO bills! and by what I am hearing I am not eligible for an upgrade but someone that has had the phone much longer can upgrade and get a refund?? I paid $499 plus tax twice! And if I buy this new phone at $299 what do I do with the $499 one I just bought. If you were trying to be helpful. YOU WERE NOT.

[TimothyB]

Questions here.

1: Any iPhone owner is guaranteed the $199/$299 price, correct? This based off of having an account for an iPhone?

2: I thought I read at launch that your current upgrade eligibility status after buying the first iPhone stayed the same from your last purchase, you were not given a clean slate. So why are iPhone owners being given a clean slate for the new 3G? What if someone bought a subsidized Blackberry a few months ago, then bought the first iPhone, they get to have the subsidized iPhone 3G price right away despite being well over a year away from an upgrade?

3, A BIG ONE: What if I borrowed a friends iPhone and put my sim card in and activated it over itunes today, then immediately gave the iPhone back to the friend, but I'd technically now have an active iPhone plan on my account. Would this mean when I walk into ATT I'd be considered an iPhone owner and get the subsidized price no matter where my eligibility was at? Or is there a time period for the iPhone account to be eligible for the next iPhone lower price?

[Sethry]

On June 9th (the same day as the 3g iphone announcement) AT&T Mobile Spokesperson Mark Siegel was quoted saying:

"...current iPhone customers and any other AT&T customer that is currently under a contract will be able to upgrade to the new iPhone 3G simply by agreeing to a new 2-year agreement and pay the $199 or $299 price for the device."

You can read the whole article here ([URL="http://www.buy.com/articles/loc/63265/channeltype/1/channelid/110/subtype/0/17970.html)

I would love for this to be true, though new information from Mark Siegel indicates that current AT&T non-iphone owners will not qualify for the "subsidized" pricing. If the story is changing from the lips of AT&T's own spokesperson, then there's no certainty of any hard facts about the iphone 3g, other than what is currently released on their website which is vague at best.

[lnferno]

Ok, this may be a dumb question, but I'm asking because I don't know. Why couldn't I just go into my Apple store on 7/11, but the new iPhone, and go home and activate it with iTunes? Is there not an option for existing customers to do that?

It's just not registering with me why AT&T would TURN AWAY existing customers wanting to buy the iPhone and extend their contract another 2 years??? :confused:

[lnferno]

On a side note, the lack of information and completely uncoordinated effort between Apple and AT&T is a perfect example of piss-poor management.

[charlituna]

Ok, this may be a dumb question, but I'm asking because I don't know. Why couldn't I just go into my Apple store on 7/11, but the new iPhone, and go home and activate it with iTunes? Is there not an option for existing customers to do that?


that was how they tried to do it for a year. guess what. a huge chunk of folks bought the phone, unlocked it and either used a different carrier and/or sold it to folks overseas or to folks that just didn't want to use ATT

now they have set up official overseas markets and combined with their ATT contract they are likely obligated to doing what they can to stop the unlocking and resells. which means requiring something at time of purchase that will ding a person for not signing up or doing the whole thing right there in the store.

[charlituna]

On a side note, the lack of information and completely uncoordinated effort between Apple and AT&T is a perfect example of piss-poor management.

i have to disagree. I would much rather wait and get information closer to the event than get it now and then have something change and I have bad information.

I suspect a lot of folks would agree with me.

also, most of the effort that is so shabby seems to be coming from ATT not Apple. the only lack on Apple's part at this point is the time sales will start. compare this to ATT not solidifying the rate plans, making a solid statement on upgrade fees etc, Apple aint doing so bad

[ec51]

att.com/iphone has been updated to reflect everyone's questions AND has the unsubsidized prices; $399 and $499. And has prices for a no-commitment option.

You must be eligible for an upgrade to receive the special pricing, anyone that currently has an iphone can check their online status and will see that they are.

Otherwise, it seems normal att upgrade rules apply. Still no word on what time the phone will go on sale, my att store is telling me 8am. Who knows...


eR

[2002cbr600f4i]

GRRRR.... STILL no option for tethering??? GOD AT&T is REALLY pissing me off with this phone! They let you tether with EVERY other phone they sell, but not the iPhone Even if I get the Corporate Data Plan, they won't allow it... RETARDED! I've been tethering for 2 years with them using my LG CU500 and it works great and I rely upon it constantly, but now they expect me to buy the iPhone, the voice plan, the iPhone data plan, a Sierra Wireless USB device and another data plan for that too??? They can go pound sand! Yeah, I want an iPhone, but I'm not gonna double my damn monthly bill to get the exact same capability I have now!

[lnferno]

i have to disagree. I would much rather wait and get information closer to the event than get it now and then have something change and I have bad information.

I suspect a lot of folks would agree with me.

also, most of the effort that is so shabby seems to be coming from ATT not Apple. the only lack on Apple's part at this point is the time sales will start. compare this to ATT not solidifying the rate plans, making a solid statement on upgrade fees etc, Apple aint doing so bad

Guess what, Steve Jobs already set expectations on 6/9 when he said that it would $199 for the 8GB / $299 16GB. Nothing was mentioned that existing customers wouldn't be able to get the phone for that price even if they signed a new 2 year deal. Apple should have done their homework and worked with AT&T better before they started setting false expectations. Being in the product development / marketing business, that type of philosophy is completely unacceptable (telling half truths is the same as lying). This is Apple's big chance of winning customers over, but they are falling short by misleading people. This train wreck of a launch has left a bitter taste in a lot of people's mouths, including mine and has left me second guessing whether or not I really do want to be an Apple customer. All of this mismanagement, and I'm not even a customer, yet -- what can I expect once I do become a customer? If they did things right, there wouldn't need to be a multi-page thread -- this thread is evidence enough that this product launch was executed in a very piss-poor manner.

[lnferno]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080701/ap_on_hi_te/tec_at_t_iphone_2

Screw that

[mirage2130]

Guess what, Steve Jobs already set expectations on 6/9 when he said that it would $199 for the 8GB / $299 16GB. Nothing was mentioned that existing customers wouldn't be able to get the phone for that price even if they signed a new 2 year deal. Apple should have done their homework and worked with AT&T better before they started setting false expectations. Being in the product development / marketing business, that type of philosophy is completely unacceptable (telling half truths is the same as lying). This is Apple's big chance of winning customers over, but they are falling short by misleading people. This train wreck of a launch has left a bitter taste in a lot of people's mouths, including mine and has left me second guessing whether or not I really do want to be an Apple customer. All of this mismanagement, and I'm not even a customer, yet -- what can I expect once I do become a customer? If they did things right, there wouldn't need to be a multi-page thread -- this thread is evidence enough that this product launch was executed in a very piss-poor manner.

I agree with you totally. Not only was nothing mentioned during the keynote about eligibility, didn't Steve Jobs also say something like, you'll never pay more than $199 for the 8gb? I do not have the keynote in front of me so I could be wrong. I also understood the new Iphone to satisfy people who could not afford the $399 pricetag. After all, Apple's research showed that most people that wanted an Iphone could not get one because of the price. This is really alienating a large group of customers here.Calling this launch a trainwreck is an understatement.

[enjoiles]

Anyone know if we are able to take advantage of another line's eligibility, if we're on a family plan?

[TimothyB]

I think what Steve said was "most" countries will not pay any higher than $199. So it wasn't everyone, and I guess the US is one that gets to pay higher.

[apb509]

I just got off the phone with a Laurie Lawson with business care at ATT and she advised the got the upgrade information on the new iPhone 3G. She said everyone will be able to get it at $199/$299 price, because thats what Apple set the prices at. She also said if ATT were selling them any cheaper, then you would have to be eligible for that upgraded price (ex. $99/$199). And she said they won't give any discount still for government/business accounts (like 15% off a month), which is what they did with the original iphone. You just have to sign a new 2 year contract.


Could I get Ms. Lawson's direct number? Considering just a matter of 2 weeks since this was posted things seem to be drastically different.

[smattmul]

Ok, I have a credit card that doesn't swipe without a translucent rapping it.

I have no state I.D. Just my college I.D.

I have lost my iphone.

But plan to be at the AT&T store at go time. Any problem with my plan.

I am an existing AT&T customer

[infinityonhigh]

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/23890

Lame.

[charlituna]

Yes. You'll have a new 2-year contract that will begin on July 11 (or whenever). The year you have left on your current contract is "forgiven" and replaced by the new contract.

i think you are a tad mistaken.

it would seem more like the difference between the $199 that Jobs and Apple are saying and the $399 is that, if you aren't at the end of a current contract, you would be considered having broken your contract and will thus be charged for it.

now here is my thought, at least in regards to current iphone users. since you are 'breaking' an iphone contract to sign an iphone contract, someone will get up the goat to file a lawsuit and it will go class action and everyone will get the money back because none of them choose to break the old contract. unless ATT can show that really the cost of the phone should have been $599 but they paid the missing $200 to make it $399 for those folks. but I suspect they can't. because they didn't.

non iphone folks are probably just screwed cause they will be dealt with according to standard cell phone game rules. although $200 seems excessive if one is close to the end of a contract. a prorated fee seems more reasonable.

[beamer2000]

So, I'm on a family plan, and when I go to my account online, it says my number is currently not eligible for an online upgrade (is it eligible for an in-store one?), but another line on the account is. Would it be possible to purchase the new iPhone 3G on the eligible line and transfer numbers somehow? I'd really like to find a way to save the $200 price differential. It says I'll be eligible for an upgrade in September, but I really don't want to wait that long.

Thanks!

[raydsr]

Because AT&T already "gave you" a $200 discount for your previous phone which you haven't yet "paid back" in terms of your full contract.

arn

AT&T didn't "give" me anything except a crappy LG phone when I renewed my commitment (for the 5th time) 14 months ago.

This pricing "error" is a MAJOR blunder by both Apple and AT&T and there WILL be backlash. I was ready to buy the 3G next week. Now I'm not going to. How is THAT good business?

[question fear]

AT&T didn't "give" me anything except a crappy LG phone when I renewed my commitment (for the 5th time) 14 months ago.

This pricing "error" is a MAJOR blunder by both Apple and AT&T and there WILL be backlash. I was ready to buy the 3G next week. Now I'm not going to. How is THAT good business?

Unfortunately, that is how AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, et al have run their business in the US for quite a while. It might be a frustration for you, and I understand that, but they're using their current and accepted business model...they aren't changing the rules for the iPhone, those have been the rules whether you want an iPhone, a Tilt, a blackjack, etc.

[keeko from mars]

i have a first gen iphone and i checked online to see if i can upgrade and they said that the line is eligible for equipment discount pricing when you sign up for a 2-year service agreement so this means i can get the 3g 16 gb for 300 right ?

[btcutter]

#108
btcutter
macrumors newbie

Join Date: Jun 2008

Neither video helped me at all, nor did the AT&T reps in store.

My situation: I thought I was smart by porting the number over to AT&T on 6/14/08 in order to avoid the crowd and just pick up a new iphone 3G come 7/11.

Boy was I ever so wrong!!!!!

AT&T contract clearly STATES I have 30 days to return/exchange or completely cancel my phone or services without any penalty.

So I ported my number at a KIOSK at Costco....saved me activation fee for two phone and got myself a family plan. So I speak with the AT&T rep in store. He tells me it's no good. I can't get an iPhone for 199/$299. I probably need to pay $399/$499. WTF??? He says that I MUST activate a NEW line in AT&T store not any kiosk. I show him the AT&T contract that says I have the right to return/exchange. He says sure, you can port the number back to T-mobile and port it back..............Asshxxx.

I called 611. The AT&T customer service agent was actually very nice and told me that I am within my rights so if I return the phone to Costco, I will be elgible for $199/$299. So you would think I have the problem solved right? Being as anal as I am, I went to another AT&T store......yadayada....give me more run around and says that they must check with management again because I got the line through Costco....

Shxt!!! why don't they know what they are doing? if AT&T rep at 611 (2 different ones btw) says it's ok for me to get an iPhone 3G comes 7/11....what the hell is AT&T store problem?! I already returned the subsidized phone.


What else can I do??

I wish I know how Apple stores are going to sell iPhone so I may be able to walk over there and get one without so much hassle.

[btcutter]

i have a first gen iphone and i checked online to see if i can upgrade and they said that the line is eligible for equipment discount pricing when you sign up for a 2-year service agreement so this means i can get the 3g 16 gb for 300 right ?

you need to pay an additional $18 upgrade fee. but yes.

[raydsr]

Unfortunately, that is how AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, et al have run their business in the US for quite a while. It might be a frustration for you, and I understand that, but they're using their current and accepted business model...they aren't changing the rules for the iPhone, those have been the rules whether you want an iPhone, a Tilt, a blackjack, etc.

Steve Jobs did NOT make this clear in his keynote on 6/9. Not even close. I thought Apple was outside of all the usual bulls**t. As a loyal customer of both Apple and AT&T I'm shocked by this pricing scheme.

[TimothyB]

Unfortunately, that is how AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, et al have run their business in the US for quite a while. It might be a frustration for you, and I understand that, but they're using their current and accepted business model...they aren't changing the rules for the iPhone, those have been the rules whether you want an iPhone, a Tilt, a blackjack, etc.

They did change the rules for the iPhone. If you buy a cheap used iPhone off craigslist and activate it by adding the $20 data plan, like magic you are made eligible for any upgrade, even if you got a subsidized Blackberry a month before.

[cryo]

They did change the rules for the iPhone. If you buy a cheap used iPhone off craigslist and activate it by adding the $20 data plan, like magic you are made eligible for any upgrade, even if you got a subsidized Blackberry a month before.

Love that! That's what I just did yesterday! I will sell the original in a week and possibly even profit off it, and get my $199 3G!

[peterhenley]

I just got off the phone with a Laurie Lawson with business care at ATT and she advised the got the upgrade information on the new iPhone 3G. She said everyone will be able to get it at $199/$299 price, because thats what Apple set the prices at. She also said if ATT were selling them any cheaper, then you would have to be eligible for that upgraded price (ex. $99/$199). And she said they won't give any discount still for government/business accounts (like 15% off a month), which is what they did with the original iphone. You just have to sign a new 2 year contract.

There was no business discount on the original iPhone....I tried. no phone discount, no plan discount. anything that was iPhone-related - no discount...

[peterhenley]

Yes. And for that price it also comes with a NEW minimum $85/mo contract that stays glued to our asses until we pay a $200 fee for breaking the contract before the 2 years! Unless we fall under one of the 3 categories explained in the article.

Somebody tell me that I can buy an "ATT contract free" iPhone G3 for 199 and 299.

Anybody??

from AT&T website:

What will I pay for iPhone 3G?
If you are upgrade eligible and your account is in good standing, you will pay $199 for 8GB (black) and $299 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required.

You have the option to purchase an early upgrade priced at $399 for 8GB (black) or $499 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required. Coming soon, AT&T will offer a no-commitment option of $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.