Just ordered mine through the AT&T website. I got the $499 price (32GS). I bought the 1st gen day 1 full price. Bought the 3G day one subsidized. It showed I could get it and be delivered around the 19th overnight. I am ok with not getting the lower price, I just did not want to have to pay even more like $599 or $699.
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Contract and Subsidy Issues for iPhone Users Looking to Upgrade to iPhone 3G S
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zizo79
macrumors 6502a
I forgot to share this with you guys : If you go to live.com and type "att wireless" ..you get 35% cashback ...I just used to get a 8GB iphone for my wife !!!(live.com is a Microsoft company ) not sure if it will work with the new 3GS but you can give it a try ....$499 - 35%=$324
charlituna
macrumors G3
An ATT store might, but the Apple stores do not have control over the issue. they can't make exceptions or overrides. ATT won't allow it.
That doesn't mean it wouldn't work. An individual may be able to increase the cost of their plan to change their upgrade date.
charlituna
macrumors G3
that petition is bunk. folks that upgraded from the 1st gen phone didn't pay list price. they paid list - $400 for the same contract they had gotten a year before at list - $200. plus there was a price adjustment within like 3 months that the early adopters got on their 1st gen phones.
now you are asking ATT to forgot about a huge bit of that $400 and give you the same lower price a year or less after they gave it to you last time.
Anyone on a family plan with 2 iPhones able to purchase the phones through Apples preorder? It says they can't do NEW family plans but Im wondering if you can buy with an existing family plan.
I need to get 2 of them but Im not sure how to do it ..if anyone went through that let me know how it's done. Thanks in advance!
I need to get 2 of them but Im not sure how to do it ..if anyone went through that let me know how it's done. Thanks in advance!
zizo79
macrumors 6502a
I dont know if anyone has seen my post but if you go to live.com and type "att wireless" ..you get 35% cashback ...I just used to get a 8GB iphone for my wife !!!(live.com is a Microsoft company ) not sure yet if it will work with the new 3GS but you can give it a try ....$499 - 35%=$324
michael.lauden
macrumors 68020
i guess you guys are going to have to wait until you actually have it and you are actually being billed.
As one would call an Apple fanatic, normally I would agree. But when it comes to the iPhone and AT&T, the two companies couldn't be more different in their practices. I typically defend Apple and their practices as a small price to pay for innovation and superior design, but since Apple has decided to keep AT&T as the sole carrier for their most precious and innovative product, I have a big problem with this.
I truly believe Apple chose AT&T as their initial career because they were a guinea pig. Everyone knows Verizon is #1 when it comes to coverage and service in the U.S. (but **** their stores and employees, seriously) but would've probably demanded too much say in how Apple ran their product and rates. But now that its been 2 years since the phone has been out, AT&T is losing their grip on reality, which is that they will not be the sole carrier for the iPhone for much longer, and they will soon lose customers for the crap they pull. Whether or not they do the same thing as other carriers is not the point. The point is they have an obligation to be BETTER than other carriers, because they carry the best phone in the world. When AT&T straight up ****s their customers based on that same fact, I find it completely unacceptable.
I've had to deal with AT&T numerous times due to billing issues as well as service issues. I can tell you that the only reason why they have been so kind and understanding towards me is because they know they don't have a firm grip on how to deal with Apple and the iPhone. I had an issue late last year regarding my rate plan, and I spoke to 4 different customer service representatives, all of which had different answers for me. One gave me money back, the other asked for more. It's absolutely absurd.
iPhone users and Apple fans in general, I am with you. But I am not giving in to the nonsense that I should pay out the ass for the newest hottest phone, because even though the new iPhone has WHAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL CURRENT 3G iPhones, it certainly is not worth the ass-raping that AT&T will give you if you decide to be a spoiled brat and upgrade immediately. Every plan since the original iPhone has gotten more and more expensive. The "unlimited" text plan for the iPhone is the most expensive out of any carrier. Wouldn't you think they'd do right and throw in MMS for no added charge? Oh wait, I live in the U.S, I can't even get that!
Be smart. Save your money and force Apple and AT&T to reconsider and re-estimate the impulsiveness that Apple users show a little too much. After all, we DID finally get landscape text and spotlight search, so shouldn't we be grateful for that?
bushbaby
macrumors 6502a
I'm in the US. Bought the first iPhone about a week or two after launch. So can I buy the new 3gs for $199?
If not, since I am no longer under contract (I presume), how long would I have to cancel my contract until I could then get a new contract and new iPhone?
Ugg
macrumors 68000
I agree. I would like one, but the outrageous fees are simply not worth it. I really had hoped that Apple would release a PAYGO plan but obviously, Apple and ATT think they will be unaffected by the recession. Either that or Apple thinks it will sell a few dozen million in China and no longer cares about market penetration in the US.
The entire pricing structure will have to radically change before I shell out the equivalent of a new Macbook and WiMax style internet service every year and then be charged some insane price for a new phone.
If Palm or Nokia come out with something even remotely close to an iPhone in the next six months, I think it's safe to say that Apple has lost a customer. I've waited long enough.
if anyone pointed this out already, i apologize, but in this scenario, you have a new phone number. if that's okay with you, this would work, but most people don't want to change their phone numbers every year.
-hechon
bunnicula
macrumors 68040
Yep. Same here.
I dunno why so many people are freaking out. So you don't get a new phone on launch day. Big deal.
Will it be that difficult to wait a month or two? Geeez.
I bought my 1st gen on launch day, but only because I was at the mall, and there was no line later in the evening at the Apple store.
I waited until August to upgrade to the 3G. Instead of standing in line forever, I walked in and was out in about 30 minutes.
I'll upgrade again in August. Or September. Whenever. No biggie.
We all get the new software boost in June anyway. 🙂
brop52
macrumors 68000
Nice find. Too bad I bought earlier today from Apple. (Though I will get 1% cash back).
I might just cancel my Apple order and do this.
not about subsidies
This isn't about subsidies at all!!
I bought original iphone when it came out, then upgraged to 3G.
I can't 'upgrade' until 3/2010, the UNSUBSIDISED iphone I gave to my wife can't 'upgrade' unitl 7/2010.
Think about it, how many iphones go unused after someone upgrades? It seems most people give or sell their old iphones and At&T reapes further subsides and profits from them.
**** att!
This isn't about subsidies at all!!
I bought original iphone when it came out, then upgraged to 3G.
I can't 'upgrade' until 3/2010, the UNSUBSIDISED iphone I gave to my wife can't 'upgrade' unitl 7/2010.
Think about it, how many iphones go unused after someone upgrades? It seems most people give or sell their old iphones and At&T reapes further subsides and profits from them.
**** att!
bushbaby
macrumors 6502a
I see that I can reserve one at Apple but the fine print says it doesn't guarantee I will get one. That it's first come, first served.
But it appears if I order it from the online store it will be either here or shipped on the launch date.
I am unclear whether I'll need the 32gb since the video may take up a lot of space?
But it appears if I order it from the online store it will be either here or shipped on the launch date.
I am unclear whether I'll need the 32gb since the video may take up a lot of space?
No, you won't wait until August or September. I took the same stance when I upgraded to the 3G. I waited until 08/12/2008, my upgrade date for the "best" price isn't until 01/12/2010. If I want, I can get the 16GB 3GS for $399 on launch day.
People I know who upgraded to the 3G launch day have their upgrade dates as soon as 08/15/2009, I called AT&T today and was informed that "if you had more services or features, your upgrade date might be moved up." So, I asked what features I needed to get the upgrade date pushed up (I've been a customer for > 5 years and also have a 3G card with them, so my bill is ~$170/month).
They told me, "it's not an exact thing" So, I asked for the equation, reasonably they can't just say, "Oh, well, you've got more SMS, so your date is..... tomorrow." I was told, there is no way to predict what the system will say, and there's no way to bypass it.
Really, I'm an excellent customer who always pays on time, in full, and has multiple services. There is no reason for someone who bought their phone a month before me to get an upgrade date more than a month before mine. It's nonsense.
As much as I really do think the iphone is the best phone on the market, I switched to AT&T after verizon renewed my contract against my wishes and gladly paid the termination fee to port my numbe to AT&T. If AT&T screws with me, Sprint it is. I'll not be locked into a carrier that treats me like garbage because they have a certain phone.
so glad I didn't get iphone 3G and stuck with the first generation when I did. NOW is the time for me to upgrade and good to know I won't have a problem doing so.
Confirmation of Live.com 35% cashback
Can someone verify that the 35% cashback works with the pre-order of the 3GS? Has anyone tried this yet?
Can someone verify that the 35% cashback works with the pre-order of the 3GS? Has anyone tried this yet?
the only issue i have is that i cannot pay full price for a new phone without renewing my contract.
if i am not receiving a subsidy, i should not have to renew my term as there is no subsidy to recoup. with any other phone on any other US carrier, full price != renewal.
that is the fail.
if i am not receiving a subsidy, i should not have to renew my term as there is no subsidy to recoup. with any other phone on any other US carrier, full price != renewal.
that is the fail.
if i add a extra line to our family plan can I drop the data plan? that way I would keep a extra line $10 a month $120 a year and eligible to upgrade every year If I want since my wife has 2g I have 3g and the new line would be 3gs.
Why I think iPhone customers should qualify for subsidized price.
Okay, there's obviously allot of debate on who is in the right and who is in the wrong in this matter. My personal opinion is that that iPhone customers SHOULD qualify for the discounted price for one reason, and that is the required data package. My fiance for instance upgraded her phone to a new Blackberry two months ago, and she currently pays somewhere around $45 a month for voice and a little extra for messaging. The only reason she wanted the BB is for the full keyboard for texting purposes. AT&T did in no way force her to sign up for a data plan in order to purchase the phone, yet she received the same subsidized price that another customer would have received if they did sign up for a data plan. However, we iPhone customers cannot even consider walking out the door with an iPhone in our hands unless we make a $30 monthly commitment for their 3G Data (which most people can barely take advantage of due to AT&T's spotty 3G coverage area). I think what AT&T should do is allow loyal iPhone customers the chance to do a subsidized upgrade at the 1 year mark from when they bought their original iPhone, but that's just me.
Okay, there's obviously allot of debate on who is in the right and who is in the wrong in this matter. My personal opinion is that that iPhone customers SHOULD qualify for the discounted price for one reason, and that is the required data package. My fiance for instance upgraded her phone to a new Blackberry two months ago, and she currently pays somewhere around $45 a month for voice and a little extra for messaging. The only reason she wanted the BB is for the full keyboard for texting purposes. AT&T did in no way force her to sign up for a data plan in order to purchase the phone, yet she received the same subsidized price that another customer would have received if they did sign up for a data plan. However, we iPhone customers cannot even consider walking out the door with an iPhone in our hands unless we make a $30 monthly commitment for their 3G Data (which most people can barely take advantage of due to AT&T's spotty 3G coverage area). I think what AT&T should do is allow loyal iPhone customers the chance to do a subsidized upgrade at the 1 year mark from when they bought their original iPhone, but that's just me.
I made a call to AT&T about an upgrade and they told me that I was up for an upgrade in December (which just so happens to be the time I bought my iPhone 3G last year) and they told me that I could get an introductory price in December. I failed to ask though, if I'd have to extend my contract.