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iPhone 3G Hands On, Notes, and Questions

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Apr 12, 2001
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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)


Article Link
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/06/10/iphone-3g-hands-on-notes-and-questions/
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.
 
Great article arn. Now... go get some sleep! :)

Feels like this WWDC has tired out everyone.:rolleyes:
 
I may actually pass on this on..

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

Some dark times are coming up!
 
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!!!
 
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?
 
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.
 
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 :)))
 
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 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Actually, difficulty to unlock/process of canceling the new model might keep the value of iPhone 1.0 pretty high.
 
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...
 
thecheda said:
return the iphone if youre paying the cancellation?
Click to expand...

if you return it in 30 days, there's no cancelation fee, and you give the iphone back, and get your money back. don't know if there's a restocking fee.

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

Thats how it is now. If you cancel your plan before 30 days, you have to return the phone in good condition. iPhone or not.

Arn, are you going to do a write up on the logistical nightmare the launch day will turn into if you have to activate in-store? From 3-5 minutes per purchase to 10-15 minutes per phone. Its going to be ugly. Not nearly as smooth as last year. I suppose there is a chance that Apple could not activate them and require a CC for purchase to move things along, but I dont know how likely that is.
 
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
 
kskill said:
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.\
Click to expand...

I think this is something a lot of people are going to have to realize. The first generation iPhone was something special in the fact that AT&T adjusted their pricing to give us a better deal -- the iPhone was expensive, and the plans were not.

But with iPhone 3G, we're looking at getting an affordable phone with better service. While yes, the pricing won't come out even, we're getting as good a deal as Blackberry users get. So with a great phone by Apple, and the usual service by AT&T, this seems perfectly reasonable. If the minimum $75/month (voice + data + text) doesn't work for you, look into other options.

This is the point where the iPhone, while incredibly amazing, is realized to be a phone first.
 
SirOmega said:
Thats how it is now. If you cancel your plan, you have to return the phone in good condition. iPhone or not.

Arn, are you going to do a write up on the logistical nightmare the launch day will turn into if you have to activate in-store? From 3-5 minutes per purchase to 10-15 minutes per phone. Its going to be ugly. Not nearly as smooth as last year.
Click to expand...

Yeah, something tells me that's either a big pile of bullcrap, or that if it *is* true, it won't be for long. That's absolutely ridiculous for either Apple or AT&T to have you *RETURN* the phone because you cancel your contract within 30 days. You pay for the phone, pay the cancellation fee and keep the phone.

However, it's nice if that's an option... if for some reason you don't want or like the new iphone, you can return it without paying a cancellation fee within 30 days...
 
cloudnine said:
That's absolutely ridiculous for either Apple or AT&T to *RETURN* the phone because you cancel your contract within 30 days. You pay for the phone, pay the cancellation fee and keep the phone.
Click to expand...
Well you do get your purchase price back (possibly minus a restocking fee). So you're actually out no money minus the restocking fee if you cancel within 30 days.
 
SirOmega said:
Arn, are you going to do a write up on the logistical nightmare the launch day will turn into if you have to activate in-store? From 3-5 minutes per purchase to 10-15 minutes per phone. Its going to be ugly. Not nearly as smooth as last year. I suppose there is a chance that Apple could not activate them and require a CC for purchase to move things along, but I dont know how likely that is.
Click to expand...

I don't know/remember hearing how things were at Apple stores last year, but when I purchased mine from ATT at launch last year, it took a solid 30 minutes to CHECKOUT. Something to do with ATT's entire system being online. They were actually going through a web browser! The idea that it was good last year (as far as I know) is crap. I would expect that ATT has learned at least a little bit and have upgraded their servers. I wouldn't expect it to take any longer than last year (at launch) even with activation, but then ATT has let me down before...
 
someone should find out the procedure in other countries.... and if you can buy the hardware at the apple store.....

and what happens if you "lose" the phone within the first 30 days? i heard insurance is a go for this one....
 
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