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AT&T Upgrade Eligibility Questions Raised Ahead of Next iPhone

LagunaSol said:
Unfortunately your original data/text plan is no longer valid with a 3G phone. The original iPhone had a $20 data plan (with 500 text messages included). The 3G plan bumps that up to $30 (with no text messages included). Add the 500 text messages you got for free before and you're at $35.

So the price has almost doubled ($20 to $35) to go to 3G.

Yeah, lame. :(
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My original iPhone plan is ~$40 voice + $30 Data/1500 txt msg = $70 + taxes and fees

Now, to upgrade to something similar it will be $70 voice/data + $15 1500 txt msgs = $85 + taxes and fees.

The data/txt msg portion basically rises from $30 up to $45. 50% more expensive.

Thanks AT&T, you really know how to treat your long-time customers. As an early adopter, I helped validate the iPhone business model, dealt with network growing pains, and I'm left with no recourse or reward. I have to start from scratch for my next iPhone.
 
aneftp said:
Simple: Because of the iPhone's high resell value. Currently the 3GS has the highest resell value. So if you dump the 3GS shortly before the 4th generation iPhone comes out, you should be able to get $300-500 for the 3GS model (assuming it's in great running condition/no scratches).

Than you apply the money earned from the sell of the 3GS to buy the 4th generation iPhone. The first generation and 2nd generation iPhones will certainly not have a very high resell value once iPhone OS4 and the new 4th generation phone gets released

That's the reason: It doesn't really cost any money to "upgrade" every year if you are constantly buying/reselling.
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You'll still be out a few hundred though and it's probably fair to question whether it's worth even that if you're not going to use the video chat or take much videos. It's a lot to pay for the sake of camera improvement since the speed increase will likely be less dramatic than going 3G to 3GS. Doubling the RAM would be good but that hasn't been confirmed at this point.
 
Locking you in.

Of course you will get stung if you jump ship to Verizon before your 2 year contract date is up regardless of what your early update date says.

Of course if the rumor is true.
 
My eligibility isn't up till 01/11 so I will sell my jb 32 3 GS and put that towards my upgrade in June
 
LagunaSol said:
Heh, I'm on the excellent Spousal Upgrade Plan too. I got the original, my wife got mine two years later when I got the 3GS, now I get the new one and she gets the 3GS. I'll be eligible for the new model every year. Beauty.

Hope she doesn't mind my sloppy seconds.
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Is AT7T accepting that the wife gets the new phone,than the card gets swapped and she gets the 3Gs and I the new one? Isn't the serial linked to the phone number or something?
 
derek1984 said:
I bought my 3GS the day it came out and just went to the AT&T website. It says I can upgrade to a discounted rate on 11/21/10. Does this seem right?

Why are some getting a 6/10 date?

I am confused...
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I pre-ordered mine (after I had a NON-subsidized 1st generation iPhone) and mine says Febriuary 2011 - or $199 extra... How come...? I may add that the bill for the family plan (2 lines) is always over $100... (Maybe I SHOULD switch to another carrier if possible)
 
dmelgar said:
I bought an iPhone 3G in July 2008. I've never been late on a payment, have never called to get a credit. I am on a FAN account. AT&T has dorked with my upgrade date. Originally stating December 2009, therefore not letting me get an iPhone 3GS. As that date approached, they moved it farther out.

Besides no coverage, I am not a happy camper w AT&T. Don't need them.
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Forgive me - but what is the FAN account thing I keep on reading...
 
gri said:
Forgive me - but what is the FAN account thing I keep on reading...
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Foundation Account Number. It basically is a discount on service. Gotten through either your employer or school. Although I hear that AT&T is now charging a 1 time 25 dollar fee to add a FAN to an existing account.
 
My bill is under $100 now. I am thinking of increasing my services to take my bill over $100 just for this month to try for the early upgrade.

Does the $100 have to be just voice+data or is it fine with voice+data+SMS crossing $100?
 
As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade at a reduced discount, along with a 2-year commitment. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 10/24/2010
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Nothing's changed here. :confused:
 
gri said:
Is AT7T accepting that the wife gets the new phone,than the card gets swapped and she gets the 3Gs and I the new one? Isn't the serial linked to the phone number or something?
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This is not a problem.

Lots of people do this. They have two phones, get the full subsidy upgrade every year, and keep the newest one while their spouse always gets the oldest one.

Swapping out the sim is not a problem.
 
diamond.g said:
Foundation Account Number. It basically is a discount on service. Gotten through either your employer or school. Although I hear that AT&T is now charging a 1 time 25 dollar fee to add a FAN to an existing account.
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For true?

WOW. That's outrageous.
 
Just got off the phone with 611 and they say we're not due for a full upgrade until 10/22/10.

Paid full price for 3 iPhone 2G's on launch day.
Again we purchased our iPhones on Jan 28, 2009 at a discount rate of $199

1400min - 3 texting plans and 3 data plans.

No full upgrade when the next iPhone comes out in June/July? Said there was no way to change eligibility date. AT&T lies? Or can we get a full upgrade?

Confused :confused:
 
Not this time

marksman said:
This is not a problem.

Lots of people do this. They have two phones, get the full subsidy upgrade every year, and keep the newest one while their spouse always gets the oldest one.

Swapping out the sim is not a problem.
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This time it is. Micro-Sim card reported in the new iPhone. That means you have to get an adaptor to fit the micro Sim into your current iPhone and (worse) cut your regular SIM card to fit to the micro SIM format...
 
hmmm mine says eligible for upgrade 11/20/2010 and I signed a 2 year the day the 3gs came out. maybe it's a FAN thing?

so happy to have my old old old grandfathered 1000 minute plan with rollover, unlimited m2m and unlimited nights and weekends for $32. My total bill is only $74 a month
 
My upgrade eligibility has also been bumped up. I bought my 3GS a week after launch last summer which means I should be eligible for an upgrade in November or December (18 months into my contract). I called AT&T today to check when i'd be eligible for an udgrade. The customer service person told me June 26. W00T!!!
 
aibo said:
I don't play AT&T's upgrade games. I've been using an iPhone since '07 and currently on a 3GS. Factory unlocked is the way to go. The new phone cost me $650 upfront, but it's $45 a month: voice (600 min), unlimited data, and 500 text. No contract. No 3G speeds either, but it's not worth an extra $80/month difference and two year lock-in of switching to AT&T.

When the iPhone HD is finally released, I'm gonna sell my factory unlocked 3GS and buy the new model Factory Unlocked for maybe a ~$200 difference. Trim my SIM card, pop it in, and i'm back in business.

It's not hard to do and T-Mobile reps are glad to help iPhone users join their network. AT&T has everyone by the balls because people think that's their only option.
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I thought data was no longer unlimited on Tmobile. Also, is it EDGE speed still?
 
I bet its soon after that date that other carriers will have the iPhone, so ATT is trying to lock in as many users as possible before July or Aug when the new carrier is going to offer it. Its another dirty trick from ATT.

DON'T FALL FOR IT PEOPLE!
 
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