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AT&T iPhone 3G $199/$299 Pricing Policy

To me, for the people who are under a non-iPhone contract but aren't eligible for a new phone yet, having to pay BOTH an unsubsidized price AND sign a new 2 year contract doesn't seem fair, or the way they would do it with other phones. You should either:

1. Sign a brand new contract for 24 months and then get the $199/$299 pricing

OR

2. Keep your current contract and pay the unsubsidized higher price for the iPhone. This should apply especially if your current contract has a data plan, so that you've been paying data all along anyway.

Now I can see if your current plan is just a voice only plan, how they might be able to say you need to sign up for 24 months of data- that's kind of a gray area there. But if they are really going to treat the iPhone just like other phones, a new contract means a subsidized price usually.
 
iJordan said:
I bought my iPhone last september, and is modded. Will i be eligilble for the upgrade of the 3G? And will they accept my phone cause' its modded? Sorry guys but I'm unclear of the situation, but will it be free if i trade in my old iPhone for the 3G?
someone reply.
Click to expand...

If you are an AT&T customer on an iPhone plan you should be eligible for the discounted price of $199/$299 -- you are NOT trading in your phone (unless you bought it after May 24 or 27, 2008), and you are NOT receiving the phone for free. If your phone is jailbroken that should be irrelevant, but if you unlocked it and are on some other plan, then that would be a problem. You can log in at att.com and click "device" and it will show you your upgrade eligibility. They have already changed the eligibility for those of us on iPhone plans.
 
freediverdude said:
To me, for the people who are under a non-iPhone contract but aren't eligible for a new phone yet, having to pay BOTH an unsubsidized price AND sign a new 2 year contract doesn't seem fair, or the way they would do it with other phones. You should either:

1. Sign a brand new contract for 24 months and then get the $199/$299 pricing

OR

2. Keep your current contract and pay the unsubsidized higher price for the iPhone. This should apply especially if your current contract has a data plan, so that you've been paying data all along anyway.

Now I can see if your current plan is just a voice only plan, how they might be able to say you need to sign up for 24 months of data- that's kind of a gray area there. But if they are really going to treat the iPhone just like other phones, a new contract means a subsidized price usually.
Click to expand...

I still believe anyone can upgrade for $199 and $299, due to the money AT&T will make off new data plans for current, non-iPhone customers, the higher priced data plans for all, the 2 year contracts, and the sheer volume of sales, new data plans, and new contracts they stand to see if they allow anyone to upgrade.

Everyone should really read the press release on AT&T's web site that came out June 9. In it, it clearly says that AT&T is ready to see lower profit margins up front, but they expect to see growing profits by 2010 on the iPhone 3G. They also mention that currently, only 20% of AT&T subscribers have a data plan.

These ideas, to me, show that they are going to let all customers upgrade, even if it means lower profits or losses up front, as they will make a killing down the road. If they want more data plans, the target audience would be current AT&T customers without a data plan, as current iPhone customers, while only paying $20 per month for data, already have the data plan, and only so many customers are going to break contracts with other carriers to move over when they would have to pay ETFs. The low price is what is going to entice more people to sign up, and that's probably the main reason (the price for the first iPhone) many people didn't jump on the bandwagon last year. I know it's why I didn't.

I am trying to apply common sense, which nobody seems to want to believe, and I could be wrong, of course, but I just think it makes sense to make the price the same for all, and to make the phone available to anybody on July 11. The compulsion to buy will be strongest July 11.
 
It's amazing to see how people get worked up over assumptions and conclusions. Let's wait until the word is out on the street from AT&T & Apple. THEN, and only then, we have the right to get upset if things aren't up to our expectations.
I recently switched to AT&T last October when I bought an iPhone. I sold my iPhone a week ago on eBay and I'm using a borrowed Razor from a co-worker (what a piece of crap this Razor is).
Anyways - I'm patiently (or not) waiting for July the 11th to walk in the Apple store and get my 3G iPhone. Let's hope there are no issues.
 
ortuno2k said:
It's amazing to see how people get worked up over assumptions and conclusions. Let's wait until the word is out on the street from AT&T & Apple. THEN, and only then, we have the right to get upset if things aren't up to our expectations.
I recently switched to AT&T last October when I bought an iPhone. I sold my iPhone a week ago on eBay and I'm using a borrowed Razor from a co-worker (what a piece of crap this Razor is).
Anyways - I'm patiently (or not) waiting for July the 11th to walk in the Apple store and get my 3G iPhone. Let's hope there are no issues.
Click to expand...

You do realize that your on macRUMORS.com right? Isn't the point of this site and the forums within to discuss rumors and general info or opinions about apple products???? So what if people get a little worked up. I think that's the point. I wouldn't be on here if I didnt like Apple and have strong opinion's about their products. Maybe it's just me.
 
Subsidized??

Found this interesting, quoting from mymac.com...

"I keep reading reports that state AT&T is subsidizing the iPhone. As far as I have been able to uncover, there is no official word from either Apple nor AT&T to corroborate that. This rumor has spread far and wide, and the only corroborating evidence of it all comes from one single source: Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner.

So where is the proof? Where is Apple and AT&T on this? Why is every Mac, Cell Phone, and Rumor site in the world reporting this as fact, when there is one source only for this information. Where is the purported reporting or investigating? Hell, for that matter, where is the "This is ********" articles? (Hello, John Gruber!)

If Apple is getting subsidizing payments from AT&T ($325 is what Reiner has told his clients) then why is the iPhone the same price (generally speaking) worldwide? Is every wireless company that supports the iPhone also subsidizing the iPhone at the same rate? Or is it more realistic that Apple has set the price of the iPhone at $199 and $299 (8GB and 16GB) worldwide so that they can, in effect, take over the high-end smartphone market by not only having the best technology, but one of the lowest prices as well?

Could it be that Apple, Inc., has realized that they will make, over the long haul, substantially more money selling music via iTunes and software via the App Store than they will on just hardware sales? That by offering a true end to end solution, they stand to make more money as a platform than just a hardware maker?

Apple could sell 10 million iPhones by the end of this year at the higher price point ($399). How many more iPhones could (will) they sell at $199? Factor in the iPhone 2.0 software with the ability to buy applications for the phone, with Apple making a cool 30% on each sale (less after bandwidth and processing fees) and you start to see just how much money is not in the "printer" itself, but in the "ink".

So I am going to go our on a limb here and call this bull. AT&T is not subsidizing the iPhone. "
 
Vu instead

My wife was trying to transfer our numbers prior to the iPhone launch and they tried to sell me an LG Vu. They said it was just as good and had more features ... ANd offered it for free.
 
cupjoe11 said:
Found this interesting, quoting from mymac.com...

"I keep reading reports that state AT&T is subsidizing the iPhone. As far as I have been able to uncover, there is no official word from either Apple nor AT&T to corroborate that. This rumor has spread far and wide, and the only corroborating evidence of it all comes from one single source: Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner.

So where is the proof? Where is Apple and AT&T on this? Why is every Mac, Cell Phone, and Rumor site in the world reporting this as fact, when there is one source only for this information. Where is the purported reporting or investigating? Hell, for that matter, where is the "This is ********" articles? (Hello, John Gruber!)

If Apple is getting subsidizing payments from AT&T ($325 is what Reiner has told his clients) then why is the iPhone the same price (generally speaking) worldwide? Is every wireless company that supports the iPhone also subsidizing the iPhone at the same rate? Or is it more realistic that Apple has set the price of the iPhone at $199 and $299 (8GB and 16GB) worldwide so that they can, in effect, take over the high-end smartphone market by not only having the best technology, but one of the lowest prices as well?

Could it be that Apple, Inc., has realized that they will make, over the long haul, substantially more money selling music via iTunes and software via the App Store than they will on just hardware sales? That by offering a true end to end solution, they stand to make more money as a platform than just a hardware maker?

Apple could sell 10 million iPhones by the end of this year at the higher price point ($399). How many more iPhones could (will) they sell at $199? Factor in the iPhone 2.0 software with the ability to buy applications for the phone, with Apple making a cool 30% on each sale (less after bandwidth and processing fees) and you start to see just how much money is not in the "printer" itself, but in the "ink".

So I am going to go our on a limb here and call this bull. AT&T is not subsidizing the iPhone. "
Click to expand...

I wondered about that. AT&T has hinted at it, but I don't remember them saying it full on. They did mention a different price for those who aren't eligible, but they also haven't made any of that clear. They could mess it up by charging a higher rate on the plan or something. That's their issue.

I'm not paying attention to AT&T's pricing as to me they're just the carrier and not the retail outlet for the hardware. I listen to Apple for that. Add to that the fact that Apple's only asterisk on the price is to mention the cost of the plan, which is enough for me to believe that everyone is getting the same price (especially when it's supposed to be a worldwide price point).
 
ajbchampion1 said:
My wife was trying to transfer our numbers prior to the iPhone launch and they tried to sell me an LG Vu. They said it was just as good and had more features ... ANd offered it for free.
Click to expand...

There's a reason it's free. That thing looks like a poorly designed brick to me. The UI is probably horrible too—just like it looks. They just wanted commission on your plan, and since they have no iPhones to sell you, they can't guarantee that you'll come back to them when they do.

Speaking of commission, I wonder if Apple will get commission on plans they sell in their own store? Maybe they will still make money off of people's plans, just through commission instead of profit sharing.
 
This just in.

Looks like customers who are not eligible to upgrade, it is going to be $399 for the 8gig and $499 for the 16 gig. No exceptions.
 
macwh0re said:
Looks like customers who are not eligible to upgrade, it is going to be $399 for the 8gig and $499 for the 16 gig. No exceptions.
Click to expand...
source? my local ATT store still maintains that no one, under any circumstance, will be paying more than 199/299.

it may not be the policy that the rest of ATT settles on, but it's of no concern to me, since that's where i'll be buying my iPhone from.
 
macwh0re said:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iphone-info.jsp

go there and click on "View and print get iReady checklist" Right at the top.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I think...

I don't see anywhere the original report that all existing iPhone users are eligible for the upgrade pricing. Has that changed too, because no one has an iPhone older than 12 months and it takes 18 months to be eligible for an equipment upgrade?

EDIT - the official press release clears this up - ALL Pre 7/11 iPhone purchases qualify for the upgrade pricing...
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25883
 
Bad form AT&T, bad form.

I'm still going to go to the Apple store. They still haven't mentioned a different price for existing customers. Of course, I still need to get a new job first. Maybe by then I will be eligible :(

It sucks to pay a $200 premium when I've paid half of my contract, which should satisfy $100 or more. I mean, canceling it is $175 but I'm not willing to lose my number. Oh well. I have more important things to do right now, like finish my reel.
 
iPhone 3G using iPhone 1.0 data plan?

Since it appears I could buy an 8GB iPhone 3G, unsubsidized, for $400 extra (i.e. $600), could I take the SIM card from my old iPhone and keep my $20/month unlimited data and 200 SMS/month contract? And the real question is, would I get unlimited 3G?

I'd save $15/month, which is $360 after two years. And, I wouldn't pay $18 for activation/upgrade, so now I'm saving $378. Suppose I get $300 for my 4GB iPhone 1.0 on eBay, I'd be paying $300 to get a 3G phone, with GPS, unlimited data and 200 SMS/month, with more memory but still pay AT&T less. And I'd retain my upgrade eligibility, for when an iPhone with front-mounted camera, video, 32GB, etc. comes out in 6-12 months.

In fact, even if 3G didn't work under my original iPhone contract, I'd still have more memory, GPS, etc. and unlimited Edge/WiFi speed w/ 200 SMS/month.
 
zync said:
Bad form AT&T, bad form.

I'm still going to go to the Apple store. They still haven't mentioned a different price for existing customers. Of course, I still need to get a new job first. Maybe by then I will be eligible :(

It sucks to pay a $200 premium when I've paid half of my contract, which should satisfy $100 or more. I mean, canceling it is $175 but I'm not willing to lose my number. Oh well. I have more important things to do right now, like finish my reel.
Click to expand...

I am in the same boat as you, my man--one year into my contract, and I have a RAZR that was subsidized for $200, so there is no way I am going to pay that full subsidy again just to get the phone next week when I would have to add the data plan as it is. Do they really think we're all that stupid?

I will do whatever I can to not help AT&T out since they don't know how to scratch the backs of their loyal customers. $100 more, I could understand, but $200? C'mon!
 
cryo said:
I am in the same boat as you, my man--one year into my contract, and I have a RAZR that was subsidized for $200, so there is no way I am going to pay that full subsidy again just to get the phone next week when I would have to add the data plan as it is. Do they really think we're all that stupid?

I will do whatever I can to not help AT&T out since they don't know how to scratch the backs of their loyal customers. $100 more, I could understand, but $200? C'mon!
Click to expand...

I got my phone because my T616 was ailing (the nubbin stopped working) and I was going to wait out the new iPhone. Of course I got it subsidized because I knew the iPhone wasn't. And now it is. I'd still pay the full price, but it annoys me that a subsidized price exists. Of course I'm still going directly to the Apple Store. I'd rather pay the subsidy straight to Apple if I have to pay it at all.

I understand how subsidies work in the cell phone market, but in any other service industry I can think of, they'll deal with you if you make enough noise and have been a loyal customer. I may go to an AT&T store if I hear some people have been able to get the deal, but I don't see that happening in most cases—not in this industry.
 
zync said:
Bad form AT&T, bad form.

I'm still going to go to the Apple store. They still haven't mentioned a different price for existing customers. Of course, I still need to get a new job first. Maybe by then I will be eligible :(

It sucks to pay a $200 premium when I've paid half of my contract, which should satisfy $100 or more. I mean, canceling it is $175 but I'm not willing to lose my number. Oh well. I have more important things to do right now, like finish my reel.
Click to expand...

Well, you could try to strong arm AT&T (it worked for me two years ago when I bought my BB Curve at discount). I told them it would be far cheaper for me to port my number to Sprint for 30 days, and cancel my contract (paying the termination fee) than a full price BB Curve - surprise - they were able to make an "exception" for a long time customer.
 
dstrauss said:
Well, you could try to strong arm AT&T (it worked for me two years ago when I bought my BB Curve at discount). I told them it would be far cheaper for me to port my number to Sprint for 30 days, and cancel my contract (paying the termination fee) than a full price BB Curve - surprise - they were able to make an "exception" for a long time customer.
Click to expand...

Nice :)
 
What happened to the discount for those who have >$99 plans?

Earlier it was posted that:
"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. 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."​
Is this still the case? Because this is exactly the boat I'm in: $130 BB pan, 15 months in. My account status page makes it look like I'm not eligible for the discount pricing. Can anyone in the know elaborat?

Thanks.
 
Well, I caved today and bought a used 1st gen iPhone off Craigslist, and it did make me instantly eligible for the equipment discount on the 3G when I activated it. I plan to sell the original as soon as I get the 3G, and the only risk I take is losing some money on the sale, though I got a good deal for an 8GB.

I am in love with this phone already!
 
is it just me or did this make the front page?

Edit: ok it's just me I made an accident and clicked on the wrong thing. I really have nothing to add to this thread, sorry.

A funny coincidence, this new story was posted on June 19.
 
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