AT&T Seeing "Tremendous Demand" for Free iPhone 3GS

[ipoddin]

I don't understand all this subsidized/unsubsidized business.

My plan costs the same whether I paid $649 for an unlocked phone, or $199 for a 16GB 4S, or $0 for a 3GS.

Does everyone else live in America, or just me?

The difference being by paying $649 for the phone, you can walk away from ATT at any time with no early termination fee.

 

[Tiger8]

I don't understand all this subsidized/unsubsidized business.

My plan costs the same whether I paid $649 for an unlocked phone, or $199 for a 16GB 4S, or $0 for a 3GS.

Does everyone else live in America, or just me?

It costs the same , yes, but we all know that those plans are overpriced to cover subsidy, whether you paid off for your phone or not.

The only way you would not be paying subsidy is if you go with one of the 'pay as you go' plans. But given t-Mobile problem that's not a good option for iPhone, so your best option is to really buy a subsidized phone ($200) with a contract...

 

[RafaelT]

I don't see anyone being elitist. If anything I wish EVERYONE had access to an iPhone! I just don't understand why someone couldn't stomach buying a $99 iPhone4 but has no problem paying AT&T $80+ a month, month after month. If $99 is that big of a purchase, why not get a $30 a month prepaid plan instead?

There are people plenty of people who can budget for the monthly contract but can't really afford that extra $100 but everything about the situation works for them. I know $100 does not go as far as it used to but it still can go a long way.

My Fiancee and I own a restaurant. I am very fortunate that the restaurant buys all of our phones and other Apple gear, and we actually use it for business purposes. Starting up a new business though money has been very tight so I can understand where some people are coming from in terms of budgeting and dealing with extra expenses.

For anyone who can't understand this, that is great! Seriously, it means you are not having to worry about money as much as other people. Worrying about money and having to budget tightly sucks, and hopefully you don't have to experience it as an adult but until you do, it's time to stop trying to tell people that an extra hundred dollars is not that much or they should do this or that with their budget.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Surprised how many idiots there are signing 2 year contracts to subsidize a 3GS.





If you can't afford an extra $100-200 when you're paying for a smartphone plan every month, you need to either wait a few months and save up money or get your priorities straight and not have a smartphone.

Or maybe people want to have a smartphone while ALSO wanting to save as much money as possible. I'm surprised by how much you can be butt-hurt by the idea of others saving money.

 

[hobo.hopkins]

I'm not really surprised; a "free" phone is a big draw for a lot of people.

 

[Illumination]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Have you ever thought maybe, just maybe that people want to pay over time rather than all at once? My parents bought me the 3GS when it was $49 in June. I was already paying for data and call/text with my old phone, so now I just give my parents the money for my phone bill.

And the phone itself is not 2.5 years old. The design is. These phones are new, and run iOS 5 like a dream (much to the elitist's dismay), and will continue to get updates for a while. I don't think Apple would sell a phone that can't run the latest iOS.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Have you ever thought maybe, just maybe that people want to pay over time rather than all at once? My parents bought me the 3GS when it was $49 in June. I was already paying for data and call/text with my old phone, so now I just give my parents the money for my phone bill.

And the phone itself is not 2.5 years old. The design is. These phones are new, and run iOS 5 like a dream (much to the elitist's dismay), and will continue to get updates for a while. I don't think Apple would sell a phone that can't run the latest iOS.

They got really close in the phase out of the 3G. AT&T was still selling it new right until the iPhone 4 was released and the last update for the 3G took place in October of that year.

 

[tasset]

There are people plenty of people who can budget for the monthly contract but can't really afford that extra $100 but everything about the situation works for them. I know $100 does not go as far as it used to but it still can go a long way.

My Fiancee and I own a restaurant. I am very fortunate that the restaurant buys all of our phones and other Apple gear, and we actually use it for business purposes. Starting up a new business though money has been very tight so I can understand where some people are coming from in terms of budgeting and dealing with extra expenses.

For anyone who can't understand this, that is great! Seriously, it means you are not having to worry about money as much as other people. Worrying about money and having to budget tightly sucks, and hopefully you don't have to experience it as an adult but until you do, it's time to stop trying to tell people that an extra hundred dollars is not that much or they should do this or that with their budget.

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

People keep saying these are 2.5 year-old phones. Well, technically aren't these phones new and not refurbs? Please correct me if I am wrong. The criticism I am hearing is baffling. Would the reaction be the same if we were talking about cars instead? In case some of you weren't aware, there are actually a few brand new never registered 2010 models sitting on dealer lots. Are you calling someone that buys that car stupid? If I was in the market for a new car, I might consider the two-year-old model simply because I can get a really good deal. Perhaps I don't care that 2012 model has a new look or that horsepower has been increased 10%. I still get the new car warranty and other necessities such as gas and insurance will likely cost the same. However, I will save a few thousand dollars in upfront costs. Two model years old or not, the car is still new.

Outside of the front-facing camera (on the 4), and Siri (on the 4S), what can you do on the 4/4S that you can't on a 3GS? Leave specs out of the equation. I'm talking function.

 

[Tiger8]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

Dude, it is no different than car financing. Are you saying that people who finance a car with 0 down or with little money down preventing you from buying your car cash? You can easily get an iPhone 4 unlocked for $550, or 4s for $650, and then you can use it on T-Mobile for $30 a month, or straighttalk, or even AT&T prepaid....

 

[you people smh]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

So which is it. Is it the lack of competition and regulation or is it poor/budget conscious people that are ruining it for you?

 

[robanga]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

I'm not sure you could make the Europe model work here. I travel a lot over there and i realize some of their plans are cheaper ( but not all that cheaper it seems anymore...? ) , but the 3-4 carriers you have in each country had a lot of help getting started by their Governments and the Europe wide ones like Vodafone are relatively comparative to the carriers here in pricing right?

This is a big country and those towers cost $$$

 

[tasset]

People keep saying these are 2.5 year-old phones. Well, technically aren't these phones new and not refurbs? Please correct me if I am wrong. The criticism I am hearing is baffling. Would the reaction be the same if we were talking about cars instead? In case some of you weren't aware, there are actually a few brand new never registered 2010 models sitting on dealer lots. Are you calling someone that buys that car stupid? If I was in the market for a new car, I might consider the two-year-old model simply because I can get a really good deal. Perhaps I don't care that 2012 model has a new look or that horsepower has been increased 10%. I still get the new car warranty and other necessities such as gas and insurance will likely cost the same. However, I will save a few thousand dollars in upfront costs. Two model years old or not, the car is still new.

Outside of the front-facing camera (on the 4), and Siri (on the 4S), what can you do on the 4/4S that you can't on a 3GS? Leave specs out of the equation. I'm talking function.

Your analogy is off because of the price differential between a car and its gas. Let's say Car A costs $20,000 and Car B costs $16,000. But you have to spend $5,000 per month on gas. Now tell me, how much difference then does the price between A and B really make? Oh, and also assume that because you purchased Car B you must only buy gas from Exxon and no other gas station.

 

[Datalinks]

My 2,5 year-old, 32gb 3GS is holding on so well, (iOS5 is working flawlessly), I am having a hard time persuading myself to upgrade. Probably I can wait another year for an iPhone with a bigger screen. The truth of the matter is , Apple products are so well made that you don't have to upgrade every year. That's why you pay so much in the first place.

 

[tasset]

Dude, it is no different than car financing. Are you saying that people who finance a car with 0 down or with little money down preventing you from buying your car cash? You can easily get an iPhone 4 unlocked for $550, or 4s for $650, and then you can use it on T-Mobile for $30 a month, or straighttalk, or even AT&T prepaid....

3G data: Which again of those are options with?

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

The only way having unsubsidized phones could influence monthly service charges is if you really could take your phone and use it with virtually any carrier. However, here in the United States we don't have that luxury. So, until that happens, we are stuck with current broken uncompetitive system.

 

[toddybody]

Sounds Good. Alot of folks (who may not have taken the iOS plunge in light of other phone incentives) will get to see what all the fuss is about those iPhones.

More money spent on iTunes, more folks introduced to the Apple ecosystem, and a far greater chance of them choosing an iPhone for their next mobile. Win Win

 

[tasset]

So which is it. Is it the lack of competition and regulation or is it poor/budget conscious people that are ruining it for you?

Well that's a loaded question. I really blame the lack of competition among the few carriers we have, but also people that are 'enabling' that situation to exist.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

Your analogy is off because of the price differential between a car and its gas. Let's say Car A costs $20,000 and Car B costs $16,000. But you have to spend $5,000 per month on gas. Now tell me, how much difference then does the price between A and B really make? Oh, and also assume that because you purchased Car B you must only buy gas from Exxon and no other gas station.

Who in their right mind pays $5000 a month for gas? Fill ups are generally $80-$160 and once a week for the average American. And car B would still be cheaper because the price for gas on car A is the same so therefor the price of it increases at the same rate.

 

[ArchaicRevival]

People simply want an iPhone. GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!

 

[carve]

Apple will most definitely not be offering iOS 6 for the 3GS. If they were to do this, it'd abolish a large chunk of what can be used as incentive for upgrading to the newest phone, once iPhone 5 comes out.

 

[rocknblogger]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

I don't really think you do understand. If people had to buy their phones unsubsedized it would be a device and service for the wealthy or well to do. Which means you would probably be paying the same or even more for service than you're paying now. It would also mean that there would most probably not have the choices you have and quite possibly the iPhone may never have been born.

The system we have sucks but it works and there are millions of people that are grateful for it because it allows them to have something they normally couldn't afford.

 

[Slurpy2k8]

Agreed many of us have it so to the wire $50 can wack your budget for months. Some people cant grasp that but its true.

If $50 can wreck your budget for 'months', then with all due respect, you have no business owning a smartphone or paying for a smartphone plan where you're going into contract for a couple years. Hell, you shouldn't even have a cellphone. The situation you're taking about is pretty extreme, extreme as in 'living on the streets'. So no, I can't grasp that specific scenario.

 

[alent1234]

Look, I completely understand. I know all too well about living on a tight budget. And I'm glad there is this option for people. But my problem is that this option DESTROYS the other option for people, like me, who would pay $500 upfront if it means getting cheaper service and truly competitive carriers. You know, like there are in Europe? There are contracts in Europe too. But there are also very cheap quality service plans because of regulation and competition.

from what i've read a lot of people in europe live with parents until their 30's or 40's. in the USA most people leave by their early 20's. until a few years the average age of homebuyers was 26.

when i lived with parents i also spent a lot of money on toys i didn't really need. the subsidy model allows everyone to be able to buy a smartphone. if i had to spend $1500 on two iphones for my wife and i we would never buy them

 

[tasset]

I don't really think you do understand. If people had to buy their phones unsubsedized it would be a device and service for the wealthy or well to do. Which means you would probably be paying the same or even more for service than you're paying now. It would also mean that there would most probably not have the choices you have and quite possibly the iPhone may never have been born.

The system we have sucks but it works and there are millions of people that are grateful for it because it allows them to have something they normally couldn't afford.

I agree the system here in the US might not have gotten off the ground if it weren't for the subsidy/contract program to get people to try cell service. We are way beyond that point now though. It is a necessity, no longer a luxury. I am all for subsidies and contracts to continue as an option. But you will be hardpressed to find a majority of people who talk favorably about their carrier. There are other countries around the world with telco systems that work just fine with much lower monthly rates/tariffs. I just bemoan we do not have that option as the most "competitive" "capitalist" TM country in the world.