iPhone 3G Hands On, Notes, and Questions

[MacRumors]

On Monday, Apple officially announced the iPhone 3G. The final phone design matched up closely with expectations as spelled out in our pre-WWDC rumor roundup. The 3G/GPS iPhone also matched up closely with one of the first leaked iPhone photos originally published by iPod Observer. We will publish a full rumor scorecard later this week.

A few sites were able to get brief "hands on" time with the new iPhone (Macworld, Engadget, Gizmodo). Initial impressions included:

- Enable/Disable 3G setting is real, Reception seems better
- Feels similar to existing iPhone, thicker in center, thinner on edges but same geometric volume as previous iPhone
- Volume buttons now silver metal, Clearer speaker audio
- Camera seems same, Geotagging also there

The iPhone 3G will be released in AT&T and Apple Retail stores on July 11th, 2008 at discounted price of $199 for 8GB and $299 for 16GB. This represents $200 less than the price for the first generation iPhone. While we were hoping details about the launch would be clearer a day or two after the announcement, there still lingering questions about activation and the sales procedure.

AT&T's official press release only revealed that the iPhone 3G will require a 3G data plan which is priced at $30/month for consumers and $45/month for business users. While some have been quick to point out that this $10-higher 3G data cost offsets the $200 subsidy provided by AT&T, this $30/mo price is indeed AT&T's standard 3G plan for smartphones and has not been artificially raised. Customers with the most cause for objection with this pricing are those who don't live in 3G supported areas. While the new iPhone will default back to EDGE data support in these areas, users will still have to pay for 3G data. But again, this appears to be standard procedure for data plans on 3G-enabled smartphones.

Based on various interviews with AT&T representatives, it appears that activation will be carried out in-store at time of purchase. This is reportedly to deter individuals from unlocking phones for use on other carriers or other countries. Since $199 represents the subsidized price from AT&T, it is understandable that they wish to ensure activation, however, many are concerned that this procedure will slow down lines significantly when the iPhone 3G goes on sale. For users who wish to buy an unsubsidized iPhone, this does not appear to be an option. However, those users can sign up for the iPhone 3G and then cancel their contract after 30 days resulting in the usual (~$200) early termination fee, thus repaying AT&T for the built-in subsidy.

Finally, BoyGeniusReport publishes an internal AT&T memo regarding the iPhone 3G and confirms that AT&T will require in-store activation. It also describes that the customer can cancel their phone after 30 days and pay an early termination fee. Cancelation within 30 days, however, requires the customer to return the phone (and get a refund)


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[Zwhaler]

Well, so much for the possible "unannounced sensors". Sounds good so far, I'm glad they did little (yet important) things such as a non recessed jack and better speakers.

[scotty56]

it will be hacked somehow, some way. it always is/will be

[Pippen Man]

Great article arn. Now... go get some sleep!

Feels like this WWDC has tired out everyone.

[DiamondMac]

Good to hear about the speaker clarity

I don't use the iPhone too much without earphones but at times I do

[lazyrighteye]

The current iPhone build is so legit.
I can't imagine a plastic one feeling near as solid.
And scratching potential seems high.

Anxious to see one in person & in-hand.
C'mon July 11...

[cloudnine]

Users will have to return the phone?! HAH. That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. Class action lawsuit, anyone?

[djcraze]

Activation in store + extra 10$ for a 3G service I cant even use + extended 2 year contract.. I WAS considering getting it (despite my other Post on not getting one).. but this is a huge deal-breaker for me..

My Current fee is $60, with only 400 minutes, and I have like 3000 rollover minutes-- I don't use the phone THAT much but I like having it...

Having to active in store will be a pain for everyone, and the fact you can't gift the item for someone not currently on AT&T (but is switching..) is messed up. I was hoping it would be like the last iPhone, you buy it and signup for AT&T in the iTS, but I guess not.

They are expecting people to go through all of this change, for WHAT!? 3G, and GPS.. Maybe if it had an aluminum back, front cam, and at least a 3.5Megapixel cam.. BAH

This is ridiculous Apple .. Its to much trouble, forget the new iPhone.. I'm sticking with my 1st Gen iPhone until you clean this mess up.

PSH

[cervaro]

Surely the answer to avoid scratching the new iPhone is to buy a case of some kind. Think I'd prefer either a rigid case, or something from Krusell. I didn't buy the first generation iPhone, but will probably go for one now as it's 3G and has the GPS built in. Shame Apple didn't upgrade the camera, but I've got a decent Canon digital camera to take pictures that's compact enough to fit in another pocket.

Would also have preferred the iPhone was opened up to all operators here in the UK, but the £30 a month package including unlimited net access seems the best deal for me as I don't talk that much on a mobile, and send less than 150 texts a month too. Looking forward to getting one at last.

[hhaeschen]

Whatever happened to Apple's "We believe in choice" attitude...

Some dark times are coming up!

[brockumpodness]

I was first disappointed in the 3G design, however, Apple has never actually disappointed the public as a whole. 3G thicker in center? weird observation... It'll be fun to get one on the 11th!!!

[thecheda]

return the iphone if youre paying the cancellation?

[kskill]

Mmm. I was pissed about the $10 more for 3G at first, but I'm over it realizing it's the same price the other phones are paying.

Still disappointed about no 32GB model though!! But is it worth waiting for?

[BigJohno]

The two things I look forward to is 3g and the new headphone jack. Apple u are retarded for not making a normal phone jack on version 1! Cant wait till tomorrow ))

[Nermal]

I'm still waiting to see what happens here in NZ. One article that I've read says that Vodafone has confirmed prepay support, yet Vodafone's site only mentions getting it on a contract. No pricing has been mentioned yet, so it's possible that a prepay version will be available for a higher initial fee. Vodafone has no 3G coverage where I live, so getting it without a contract will be better for me so that I can pop a Telecom SIM card in it when the time comes.

[kevindosi]

i recently sold my 16gb iphone for $550 in anticipation for the 3g, but i think i'll wait and see how hard it is to get one and take a look at the plastic back first. it might be a good idea to go back to an old 16gb version which, i imagine, will be dramatically cheaper since the 3g 16gb phone is only $300. i'm on tmobile so the only real improvement is gps, which i would love.

[kskill]

Originally Posted by kevindosi

i recently sold my 16gb iphone for $550 in anticipation for the 3g, but i think i'll wait and see how hard it is to get one and take a look at the plastic back first. it might be a good idea to go back to an old 16gb version which, i imagine, will be dramatically cheaper since the 3g 16gb phone is only $300. i'm on tmobile so the only real improvement is gps, which i would love.

Actually, difficulty to unlock/process of canceling the new model might keep the value of iPhone 1.0 pretty high.

[Bridge51]

Originally Posted by kevindosi

i recently sold my 16gb iphone for $550 in anticipation for the 3g, but i think i'll wait and see how hard it is to get one and take a look at the plastic back first. it might be a good idea to go back to an old 16gb version which, i imagine, will be dramatically cheaper since the 3g 16gb phone is only $300. i'm on tmobile so the only real improvement is gps, which i would love.

I've been thinking about selling my 8gb to get the 3g. where do you sell it? ebay? all i've seen on there are unlocked phones :-/

[tk421]

Originally Posted by hhaeschen

Whatever happened to Apple's "We believe in choice" attitude...

Are you thinking about the same Apple I am?

I love 'em, but there's plenty of proprietary/locked technology in their history.

[neonfox]

Originally Posted by hhaeschen

Whatever happened to Apple's "We believe in choice" attitude...

Some dark times are coming up!

Since when has Apple had that mentality? I thought people bought their products knowing they had less choice (iTunes purchases, proprietary OS, etc.), but got a better consumer experience because of it. Only recently has Jobs talked about the failure of DRM...

Their new approach to selling phones is similar to other vendors, i.e. selling heavily subsidised phones with plans. However most of these manufacturers also offer their phones unlocked for a higher price, I believe... I think you can buy Nokia phones directly from their website unlocked, for example. Although I don't agree with their closed approach, it seems good for them from a fiscal point of view. As for me, I'll probably pick one up then pay the cancellation fee after the first 30 days, and resort to jailbreaking/unlocking or what have you.

[GuillaumeB]

Feel sorry to say but the new iPhone 3G plastic back feels like the macbook and blackbook.
My current iPhone perfectly match my macbook Pro

utterly wrong approach Apple....

[queshy]

Originally Posted by GuillaumeB

Feel sorry to say but the new iPhone 3G plastic back feels like the macbook and blackbook.
My current iPhone perfectly match my macbook Pro

utterly wrong approach Apple....

Agreed, metal is way cooler. but on the flip side, we get better reception and probably a lower cost.

[goodcow]

This article is missing the fact that the $20 2G data plan came with 200 SMS.

The new $30 3G data plan comes with NO SMS. So it's $30 PLUS an SMS package.

The new pricing is absolutely insane and completely kills any lower price the iPhone itself may have. People should be flooding Steve and AT&T executive's E-Mail's saying that the price cut is obviously PR BS, and that this is ridiculous.

I was going to switch from Verizon at $199, but not with an extra $15 (with SMS) per month, and remember, that $15 is subject to high wireless taxes as well.

[TheFatWookie]

Originally Posted by goodcow

This article is missing the fact that the $20 2G data plan came with 200 SMS.

The new $30 3G data plan comes with NO SMS. So it's $30 PLUS an SMS package.

The new pricing is absolutely insane and completely kills any lower price the iPhone itself may have. People should be flooding Steve and AT&T executive's E-Mail's saying that the price cut is obviously PR BS, and that this is ridiculous.

I was going to switch from Verizon at $199, but not with an extra $15 (with SMS) per month, and remember, that $15 is subject to high wireless taxes as well.

Long time lurker, had to join just to reply to this.

Incorrect. The 3G and Text plans you see on ATT are NOT the iPhone data plans. The old $20 iPhone data plan, which now will cost $30 for 3G, will continue to include 200 SMS text messages. The old $30 iPhone plan that had 1500 SMS, will now cost $40, and $50 buys unlimited SMS along with unlimited data. See 3rd paragraph of this article on AppleInsider: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...hare_deal.html

[neondiet]

Originally Posted by GuillaumeB

Feel sorry to say but the new iPhone 3G plastic back feels like the macbook and blackbook.
My current iPhone perfectly match my macbook Pro

utterly wrong approach Apple....

I totally disagree. The plastic back will improve signal strength and reception. Plus it allows them to offer more consumer choice in the form of colours. Expect Apple to eventually offer the full range of iPod colours.