AT&T iPhone 3G Upgrades and Eligibility

[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.

 

[yamson97]

Secondhand 1st gen iPhone?

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]

current AT&T customer with no data plan

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...

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.

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]

Is there something I'm missing?

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.

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

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 F***ING SUCKS!!

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?

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.