Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
AT&T Seeing "Tremendous Demand" for Free iPhone 3GS
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I can't speak to the price, but the 3GS is still a good phone (I still have mine), and it's a good entry point for people who are more accustomed to an old-school dumbphone, who have simple requirements, and would be bamboozled by the extras in a 4 or a 4S. Anything which accelerates the demise of the dumbphone is alright by me.
slu
macrumors 68000
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)
My sister gave me her old 3GS with a cracked screen. I replaced the screen and the battery/back with parts from eBay. I gave it to my wife, who was using a 3G. She is very satisfied. If the 3GS is better than what you have, you will love it.
My sister gave me her old 3GS with a cracked screen. I replaced the screen and the battery/back with parts from eBay. I gave it to my wife, who was using a 3G. She is very satisfied. If the 3GS is better than what you have, you will love it.
RafaelT
macrumors 65816
3gs
While I would never want to save $260 ($199 + taxes) on a phone for which I'm gonna spend at least $1,400 over the next two years, I can imagine that for a family with two or three kids who are moving to smartphones for the first time, it's a no-brainer. Mom, dad, 2 kids - about $160 in total (Taxes, at least the way they calculate it in CA), vs. $1000. No brainer for a lot of families.
My question is - could Apple just be using up components they already had, or are these all new purchase orders to their suppliers? We'll never know, but I think it's the latter and my buddy insists it's the former and I wish they would say.
While I would never want to save $260 ($199 + taxes) on a phone for which I'm gonna spend at least $1,400 over the next two years, I can imagine that for a family with two or three kids who are moving to smartphones for the first time, it's a no-brainer. Mom, dad, 2 kids - about $160 in total (Taxes, at least the way they calculate it in CA), vs. $1000. No brainer for a lot of families.
My question is - could Apple just be using up components they already had, or are these all new purchase orders to their suppliers? We'll never know, but I think it's the latter and my buddy insists it's the former and I wish they would say.
aristotle
macrumors 68000
Since when it cell phone service and data plans for cell phones "free" without a contract?
Sign up for a contract or don't but the latter can get a you a "free" or partially subsidized smartphone. But in the end, cell phone service costs money.
🙄
topmounter
macrumors 68030
I just put my SO on my AT&T plan... she was looking at feature phones priced at $29.99, but it was crazy to get one of those POS phones when you could get a 3GS for free... it's a far better phone on all counts.
I have a iP4, but there is something to be said about the plastic-back design of the 3GS, it's lighter and seems like it would survive a fall a bit better.
I have a iP4, but there is something to be said about the plastic-back design of the 3GS, it's lighter and seems like it would survive a fall a bit better.
marksman
macrumors 603
People are silly when they make these comments about the phone price being free or not being free.
Most people are going to already have a phone contract regardless. So that is 100% irrelevant when it comes to the price of the phone.
The 3GS is zero for someone who already has a contract and will continue to have a contract.
Saying people should pay an additional $200-$300 out of their pocket right now, because it is not that much compared to their total contract is simply silly logic.
----------
You do know 99% of them will have a contract regardless and pay the monthly fee regardless, so that is not relevant to how much they pay for the phone.
----------
Exactly.
In reality the best way to maximize your bill with AT&T and Verizon is to get the highest quality $0 phone you can get every 2 years. This would be the 3GS. So actually the smartes people are getting the 3GS as it maximizes their kickback from the phone company without requiring any additional money to be spent.
Most people are going to already have a phone contract regardless. So that is 100% irrelevant when it comes to the price of the phone.
The 3GS is zero for someone who already has a contract and will continue to have a contract.
Saying people should pay an additional $200-$300 out of their pocket right now, because it is not that much compared to their total contract is simply silly logic.
----------
You do know 99% of them will have a contract regardless and pay the monthly fee regardless, so that is not relevant to how much they pay for the phone.
----------
Exactly.
In reality the best way to maximize your bill with AT&T and Verizon is to get the highest quality $0 phone you can get every 2 years. This would be the 3GS. So actually the smartes people are getting the 3GS as it maximizes their kickback from the phone company without requiring any additional money to be spent.
This comical.
In Japan, the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 are both free with a 2 year contract (as was the iPhone 4, and 3GS before it).
Seriously America, you need to realize when you're being ****ed in the ass.
In Japan, the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 are both free with a 2 year contract (as was the iPhone 4, and 3GS before it).
Seriously America, you need to realize when you're being ****ed in the ass.
Actually your director is incorrect. The practice of subsidizing phones came about in the early 1990s. I was at PacTel Cellular (now VZW) when this all started. The subsidy came out of the marketing budget. They realized if the phone was free or nearly free they could get tons more subscribers than when people were paying retail. All they asked was a one year committment. This helped reduce the carrier's biggest woe: churn. Basically, the carriers were doing something the independent resellers were already doing by offering the phone as the carrot. The contract just assured the carrier of X amount of revenue.
I don't know if you're aware, but for a long time only new subscribers were eligible for the subsidized pricing. Current customers were not. What began to happen is that customers would jump ship and change carriers or worse for the phone companies, they would cancel their service and sign up as a new customer through a reseller. This meant they were getting a subsidized phone AND the reseller was pocketing extra $$$ for a "new" customer (which was unethical). Carriers realized they could save money and subscribers by offering incentives to retain current customers. Plus once number portability became law around 2004, carriers had to work harder to save their customer base.
The other reason why your director is incorrect is let's say I give you a phone that was lying around which I no longer need. If you stay with AT&T (or whomever) for 24 months, you will pay the same as someone who received a free subsidized phone for the same period. The only advantage for you is that you don't have an early termination fee threatening you should you decide to leave before the 24 month period has ended.
So, no, it is not a loan. It is what we all know it to be: an incentive to attract and/or retain subscribers.
Naimfan
Suspended
Well, my 3GS wasn't free--I bought it for $100 and use it on T-Mobile's unlimited prepaid plan - $50/month. Obviously not the fastest data (to put it mildly!) but it works well. And it's better than my prior phone, and is vastly preferable to me than the Android phone I considered.
Is it as good or fast as a 4 or 4S? Obviously not. But I prefer it to the other options out there with no contract.
Is it as good or fast as a 4 or 4S? Obviously not. But I prefer it to the other options out there with no contract.
I know a ton of older people who don't care about the latest/greatest and got a 3GS because they wanted in on the iOS experience.
(most are business people coming form BB)
(most are business people coming form BB)
I'm sorry but these people are stupid! If they can afford a freaking data and voice plan, they could afford the iPhone 4 for only $99.00 more which is a VASTLY better phone and MUCH more future proof with iOS updates, apps, features and so on! $99.00 is only a fraction of the total cost during the contract anyway.
Only poorly informed people would get this phone.
Spurring this is yet another reason Android pisses me off!
Not good for developers. This is how fragmentation and lowest common denominator issues start.
Last edited:
markcres
macrumors 6502
You may have noticed there is a bit of a world economic depression on at the moment.... many people cannot afford the shiny new gadgets anymore.
I love the way you guys get excited about having a phone free on a contract, you must be getting a really raw deal for phones in the US. In the UK we can get a 4S free with a contract.
RafaelT
macrumors 65816
Not caring about the latest and greatest tech does not make someone stupid. There are many people making their way into the smartphone market for the first time, they won't use a ton of features or apps and don't need the fastest phone available. A 3GS at no upfront cost is perfect for that person.
Please actually read the last few pages where that $99 cost was discussed. You are incorrect.
That's crazy, didn't know that. In France (maybe in all Europe?), you pay less if you don't want a phone with your contract. That's a requirement which applies to all plans.
----------
If you're not a speed-junkie, then the 3GS is still absolutely fine for about all apps (except for Infinity Blade 2 but... I think it's OK).
I'm from the UK but even I can see this thread is solely about the US, so can people stop saying..
"Well here the in the UK.."
or
"Here in Japan.." etc
You can't compare phone prices and service plans with other countries as it jus works differently!
"Well here the in the UK.."
or
"Here in Japan.." etc
You can't compare phone prices and service plans with other countries as it jus works differently!
Of course it matters! Do you want coverage only in cities and metro areas? The US is so spread out is not even funny. We all demand a 3G / 4G connection in our cars while driving long distance, yet we want it all at $10 per month with unlimited text and voice. Kinda does not make sense.
Also I said it before and I say it again, if it wasn't for the 'evil' subsidized' phone system in the US, the iPhone would have never happened.
spazzcat
macrumors 601
You know the contract fee is the same no matter which phone you get...
----------
Its great for parents that have kids that want an iPhone, but don't want to spend the money. Now when their kids contract is up they can get an iPhone...
iPhone 3Gs is sooooooo much better to hold then the 4 or 4s.
My one complaint about the 4 is the design. Who wants to hold a brick??
My one complaint about the 4 is the design. Who wants to hold a brick??
ericrwalker
macrumors 68030
I think this is great, I know a lot of people that wouldn't get an iPhone because it cost money. They only look at the free phones. People don't know what they're missing until they have it.
This will get people in the door. I think it's good for Apple even if they make little to no profit on the actual phone, because people will still most likely buy some apps.
----------
I do
This will get people in the door. I think it's good for Apple even if they make little to no profit on the actual phone, because people will still most likely buy some apps.
----------
I do