I cant get it to even show me the 3gs once i login. I click the Get Started button, login, then it takes me to my account. I click Upgrade/Shop and the 3Gs icon and it takes me to a page of 3G iphones...none are the 3Gs...so I'd also like to know if anyone got through!
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Contract and Subsidy Issues for iPhone Users Looking to Upgrade to iPhone 3G S
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I cant get it to even show me the 3gs once i login. I click the Get Started button, login, then it takes me to my account. I click Upgrade/Shop and the 3Gs icon and it takes me to a page of 3G iphones...none are the 3Gs...so I'd also like to know if anyone got through!
Was running 1st gen iPhone, unlocked, on Vodafone, bought June 07.
When iPhone 3G, came out, was getting tired of the Jailbreak / Unlock cat and mouse game, gave old iPhone to my daughter and switched to O2 for new 3G.
O2 have announced a tethered data price that's, at 3 gb per month limit twice the cost of Vodafone's unlimited data plan, which is rather annoying.
Have now ordered an Unlocked Italian 3GS. It's not much different in price to the PAYG UK O2 iPhone cost and in 6 months time, will allow me to cancel O2 and move back to Vodafone (or try Orange / T-Mobile if I wish).
When iPhone 3G, came out, was getting tired of the Jailbreak / Unlock cat and mouse game, gave old iPhone to my daughter and switched to O2 for new 3G.
O2 have announced a tethered data price that's, at 3 gb per month limit twice the cost of Vodafone's unlimited data plan, which is rather annoying.
Have now ordered an Unlocked Italian 3GS. It's not much different in price to the PAYG UK O2 iPhone cost and in 6 months time, will allow me to cancel O2 and move back to Vodafone (or try Orange / T-Mobile if I wish).
I did get through. The site seems to be busy and is having issues. I had a mini heart attack when going through the payment page and it stalled there showing that it was loading and finally gave me some cryptic error about the server. I went back through bing again and my cart was empty on att and then I relaxed when I got an email from att saying the order went through (in my junk email folder). After reading the bing terms I believe it also includes the cost of accessories you buy with the phone so I decided to go right out with it and buy Applecare from AT&T. It was $69 but honestly if we do get the 35% off it is just about the same price as ebay and 100% legitimate vs. the sometimes questionable ebay sellers.
As for whether or not the bing will work, someone on fatwallet.com posted a screenshot of the bing confirmation going through. Keep in mind that this isn't the first time this year that live.com/bing.com have done this att promo. Before it was 25 or 30 percent and it worked for the people then for new customers.
Last thing I have to say on the subject ;
32BG Ipod Touch is £300 which includes Apple profit of 33% remember. Fair enough, I say.
So why is it that O2 is essentially claiming there is a subsidy in the £35 per month contract when they are charging £300 for the 32G iPhone and then want £400 (+ £300 for phone) to 'close' the last 6 months of your contract to upgrade to 3GS.
Even if I add another £50 for the 'extra' cost for a phone, GPS and camera part of the iPhone were still talking £350 ( with Apple profit) and not £700....
I'm happy to pay £300 for the iphone but not £500 + £400 contract cancellation.
Don't care what the O2 guy is saying - basic maths say's he's basically talking baloney and trying to claim that the iPhone is costing O2 £700...
Why can nobody see this is some form of institutionalized extortion?
The cost of the iPod Touch is the key to seeing the rip-off....
32BG Ipod Touch is £300 which includes Apple profit of 33% remember. Fair enough, I say.
So why is it that O2 is essentially claiming there is a subsidy in the £35 per month contract when they are charging £300 for the 32G iPhone and then want £400 (+ £300 for phone) to 'close' the last 6 months of your contract to upgrade to 3GS.
Even if I add another £50 for the 'extra' cost for a phone, GPS and camera part of the iPhone were still talking £350 ( with Apple profit) and not £700....
I'm happy to pay £300 for the iphone but not £500 + £400 contract cancellation.
Don't care what the O2 guy is saying - basic maths say's he's basically talking baloney and trying to claim that the iPhone is costing O2 £700...
Why can nobody see this is some form of institutionalized extortion?
The cost of the iPod Touch is the key to seeing the rip-off....
Apart from the fact that the 3GS has completely different internals (including a new processor) than the the 32GB iPod touch, the reason you have to buy out your contract is because when you signed up for the 18 month contract you agreed to pay a minimum 18 months worth of airtime to O2. If you renew early and start a new 18 month contract you are, in effect, reducing the minimum number of monthly payments you agreed to.
For example, if you got a 3G, see out your full contract and get a 3GS you are paying O2 36 months of airtime.
If you renew after 1 year, you are paying 30 months of airtime so O2 lose 6 months of airtime revenue from you which is why you have to pay the whole contract up.
Carriers set prices for everything (i.e. handsets and airtime) based on this contract period - it's not just about paying back the subsidy on the handset, it's about compensating the carrier for revenue they could reasonably expect to receive based on a signed contract.
I bet you all $10 bucks that Apple is going to switch to Verizon because it is ahead all the competition in implementing LTE into its services. LTE is the next 4G standard, and its global, plus phones can seemlessly switch between CDMA and LTE. Verizon was already testing it in 2008. Go away AT&T we have better things to do! 
i ain't gonna cry like a baby that i can't get the new iphone for cheaper, but i did get the 3g around launch day and so my contract runs out around january/febuary. now the dilemma then will be do i upgrade to the 3gs, or wait another 5 or 6 months for a newer iphone that might not even exist or be launched?
I bet you all $10 bucks that Apple is going to switch to Verizon because it is ahead all the competition in implementing LTE into its services. LTE is the next 4G standard, and its global, plus phones can seemlessly switch between CDMA and LTE. Verizon was already testing it in 2008. Go away AT&T we have better things to do!
You do realise that Verizon will do exactly the same thing, right?
Where did you get this from ? As i'm looking to update my iphone 2g.
Thanks, K
I don't expect subsidised upgrades within an already subsidised contract but it would be nice to have clear instructions on how to pay for the upgrade. I'd prefer to have a monthly plan similar to contracts but with the hardware paid upfront, I don't want to be bothered having to top up on PAYG options.
You don't want to top up on PAYG? It's easy, you dial a number, press a digit and confirm your topup via your bank account. You're being lazy.
The problem is 02 want over £500 for a payg 32gb iPhone 3G...and for that you don't get free internet for a year (unlike on a monthly plan) and you can't tether it, at all. Clearly they don't want to sell them on PAYG because they make less money and can't screw you over if you want to update it next summer to the new (old tech) iPhone. Anyway....
iPhone 3G = utter crap. Old design, Old camera, Old screen. You have to be brain dead if you're desperate to get this garbage. For Apple, the most significant update is in-app purchasing. They can't wait to rape our children in the process. I'm waiting another year for something significant. Meanwhile there'll be a Zune HD Phone with OLED screen, and the competition will release countless phones with 12mp+ cameras.
Doesn't it make you sick watching the keynote? All the developers, industry insiders and mac journalists sitting there...drooling over themselves at the mere suggestion of the most insignificant change in the iPhone. Even when we're all sat at home feeling short changed, they're applauding and clambering over themselves to kiss some Apple ass.
And relax.....
See you in 2010 *sigh*
The problem is 02 want over £500 for a payg 32gb iPhone 3G
iPhone 3G
Doesn't it make you sick watching the keynote? All the developers, industry insiders and mac journalists sitting there...drooling over themselves at the mere suggestion of the most insignificant change in the iPhone. Even when we're all sat at home feeling short changed, they're applauding and clambering over themselves to kiss some Apple ass.
And relax.....
See you in 2010 *sigh*
This is illegal, the contract extension isn't binding unless you knew and assented, and any carrier that cares about customer service and complying with regulations would reverse your extension immediately. If you buy a phone at "SIM-free" price, not subsidised, they have no grounds on which to extend your contract. I've worked for both service providers and phone retailers in the UK so I think I'm on fairly solid ground here.
Only on the 2G owners.
Umm... get your facts straight before you start bitching.
1st Gen iPhone owners got a 33% discount on the data plan ($20 per month instead of $30) and 200 free SMS messages.
Actually the 2G owners had a variation of the Media Max plan(which gets you the data+200 txt), cause the 2G iPhone wasn't considered a smartphone by AT&T at the time.
I bet you all $10 bucks that Apple is going to switch to Verizon because it is ahead all the competition in implementing LTE into its services. LTE is the next 4G standard, and its global, plus phones can seemlessly switch between CDMA and LTE. Verizon was already testing it in 2008. Go away AT&T we have better things to do!
LOL, Verizon has significantly different contract terms & conditions than AT&T? Think not. This would also require Apple to manufacture a CDMA iPhone, which despite common rumor, would never be a real option for Apple. (no worldwide iphone sales with CDMA)
Now.. ive been a macrumors fan long time now but its my first time im posting a comment here. Anyway no im not from US i dont know **** about whats going there and NO im not trying to be a smart ass you suck ass flamers dont you dare start whining and bitching.
Anyways here's what i want to say about all the buzz about AT&T.
First of all i consider myself to be an "apple fanboy" i got many apple products and tbh im dying to purchase all of em. huh.
Anyways.. what you need to understand is how things work around. You obviously whine about how AT&T treats customers and about insane charges etc. Thing is you dont consider Apple at all into this. NOW take a MOMENT AND THINK. Apple plays a major part in this. Do you possibly think YOU are the one that going to enlight Apple with the situation. You think apple doesnt know **** about whats happening? Well news for you.. Apple does know the situation and frankly, doesnt give a ****. Here is why
Now you are Apple and you have this screamer product Iphone. Public goes nuts to purchase it and you aim on exclusive distribution. So you go out and search for the best offer. Since you know your product is a gold mine you skyrocket the contract deal. And look... here comes AT&T with the best offer. At&t must have been pretty screwed from this so now.. needs to get back its money and also a desire profit. Who's gonna get SCREWED now eh? YOU. Yes.. YOU are. You are the victim you are the moron bitching about pricing and stuff. But eventually you pay for the product, and also every stupid "services activation" pimp companies like AT&T make you pay.
Now you think Apple couldnt have predicted this? WTF you think apple is like the grocery next to your home? Wtf do you think. Apple has way more experience and expertise on this "marketing" area and to be honest AT&T is like 1/10 of apples growth. (or something.. im guessing THIS IS NOT FACT, dont start bitching to me about this.)
Apple could easily set some "quality standards" to be met by AT&T for their product, but more buzz for AT&T means less money for Apple.
Point of this is dont get that frustrated why AT&T pimps you with stupid charges from day one. Im not saying its APPLES FAULT (READ THAT PART CAREFULLY) Im just saying Apple got a major part in all this. Think about it.
Now for closure.. to all you moron flamers, read the above carefully. I dont want to be misunderstood. I dont love Apple any less than you are. just speaking the truth.
Sorry for bad language and grammar/spelling mistakes i SAID ALREADY Im not from US or anything dont bitch about that either.
Have a nice day.
***EDIT
To all of you who think you are going to get a better customer care in a Verizon or any other network you are FOOLED. Tbh i think you are even going to get more screwed for all that "4G shiat". This is simply how things work.. not my fault. Big companies fault. Fail you.
Anyways here's what i want to say about all the buzz about AT&T.
First of all i consider myself to be an "apple fanboy" i got many apple products and tbh im dying to purchase all of em. huh.
Anyways.. what you need to understand is how things work around. You obviously whine about how AT&T treats customers and about insane charges etc. Thing is you dont consider Apple at all into this. NOW take a MOMENT AND THINK. Apple plays a major part in this. Do you possibly think YOU are the one that going to enlight Apple with the situation. You think apple doesnt know **** about whats happening? Well news for you.. Apple does know the situation and frankly, doesnt give a ****. Here is why
Now you are Apple and you have this screamer product Iphone. Public goes nuts to purchase it and you aim on exclusive distribution. So you go out and search for the best offer. Since you know your product is a gold mine you skyrocket the contract deal. And look... here comes AT&T with the best offer. At&t must have been pretty screwed from this so now.. needs to get back its money and also a desire profit. Who's gonna get SCREWED now eh? YOU. Yes.. YOU are. You are the victim you are the moron bitching about pricing and stuff. But eventually you pay for the product, and also every stupid "services activation" pimp companies like AT&T make you pay.
Now you think Apple couldnt have predicted this? WTF you think apple is like the grocery next to your home? Wtf do you think. Apple has way more experience and expertise on this "marketing" area and to be honest AT&T is like 1/10 of apples growth. (or something.. im guessing THIS IS NOT FACT, dont start bitching to me about this.)
Apple could easily set some "quality standards" to be met by AT&T for their product, but more buzz for AT&T means less money for Apple.
Point of this is dont get that frustrated why AT&T pimps you with stupid charges from day one. Im not saying its APPLES FAULT (READ THAT PART CAREFULLY) Im just saying Apple got a major part in all this. Think about it.
Now for closure.. to all you moron flamers, read the above carefully. I dont want to be misunderstood. I dont love Apple any less than you are. just speaking the truth.
Sorry for bad language and grammar/spelling mistakes i SAID ALREADY Im not from US or anything dont bitch about that either.
Have a nice day.
***EDIT
To all of you who think you are going to get a better customer care in a Verizon or any other network you are FOOLED. Tbh i think you are even going to get more screwed for all that "4G shiat". This is simply how things work.. not my fault. Big companies fault. Fail you.
Will the 2010 upgrade be much better?
Lots of people seem to be getting excited thinking it will have 4G LTE support but I'm not so sure. There is still a battle ongoing between LTE and WiMax for the 4G market, LTE is presently winning but things could change. There is also the fact that WiMax is already being rolled out and LTE is still going through standards processes (or they have only just completed), so we will see national WiMax networks long before LTE.
I reckon there is more chance of WiMax being on the 4th Gen iPhone than LTE.
Other than that the only earth moving upgrade I can think of is the addition of a front camera for video calls. But will anyone really get excited by that? How many people that can, actually do make video calls?
(cue music)
What's great about the iPhone, is that millions of users won't be able to get the new one without paying a lot, and there's an app for that.
And say you feel slighted and outraged and want to make bold Nostradamusesque predictions like "The next iPhone will surely be on Cricket!" there's an app for that.
And if you want to simply keep the 3G iPhone you have now, and pretend your voice dialing, there's an app for that too.
Yep, there's an app for just about anything, only on the iPhone.
(music out)
What's great about the iPhone, is that millions of users won't be able to get the new one without paying a lot, and there's an app for that.
And say you feel slighted and outraged and want to make bold Nostradamusesque predictions like "The next iPhone will surely be on Cricket!" there's an app for that.
And if you want to simply keep the 3G iPhone you have now, and pretend your voice dialing, there's an app for that too.
Yep, there's an app for just about anything, only on the iPhone.
(music out)
I just wondered if anyone had any opinions on whether or not the following would be feasible.
I have a 3G with O2 UK and MyO2 tells me that my renewal date is Jan 2010. I'd like a 3GS. I was going to give my 3G to my daughter, but it occurred to me that I could buy a new 3GS on contract and just swap that new SIM for my old one, and then port her existing number to the new SIM in my old 3G.
That would work wouldn't it?
TIA.
I have a 3G with O2 UK and MyO2 tells me that my renewal date is Jan 2010. I'd like a 3GS. I was going to give my 3G to my daughter, but it occurred to me that I could buy a new 3GS on contract and just swap that new SIM for my old one, and then port her existing number to the new SIM in my old 3G.
That would work wouldn't it?
TIA.
Not a big Deal to me
Though I have to admit, voice dialing and video sound like awesome features to have. I am wiling to wait until 2010 to upgrade my iPhone. My 3G is the best phone I have ever owned and I am happy to hold on to it. I got mine a little later than day one but AT&T says I can upgrade at the end of December. the bigger decision is once December comes do I wait 6 months for the presumed new one? I do realize that I signed a contract and am willing to live up to it, I don't understand the big deal. Current owners of the 3G are getting the best bag for the buck by holding on to it.
Though I have to admit, voice dialing and video sound like awesome features to have. I am wiling to wait until 2010 to upgrade my iPhone. My 3G is the best phone I have ever owned and I am happy to hold on to it. I got mine a little later than day one but AT&T says I can upgrade at the end of December. the bigger decision is once December comes do I wait 6 months for the presumed new one? I do realize that I signed a contract and am willing to live up to it, I don't understand the big deal. Current owners of the 3G are getting the best bag for the buck by holding on to it.
It should do, unless O2 lock the number / sim card to the phone in some way. But even then I'd have thought they would let you swap them, its not like you're ripping them off or anything. Would be worth asking O2 just to confirm it will be ok.
There should not be a reason why you cannot. Apple's website will tell you for sure (once you put in your information it will tell you if you are eligible and show you what price you have to pay to upgrade to the 3GS).
Also was only EDGE and didn't pull as much data that fast. Didn't overload the network like the 3G does.
How do you order one from Italy? I wanted to do that with the 3G version, but I'm well up for it now with the 3G
Can you let me know? Cheers.
My experience: I bought an original (and therefore unsubsidized) iPhone in November 2007. It's now been 19 months since then and they are telling me I don't qualify for subsidized pricing on a 3G-S. WTF?
Gotta say I'm disappointed. While I understand the point of locking customers into contracts to recoup the cost of subsidizing a phone, my iPhone is an original. I paid full price for it. Surely there must be some flexibility there? Maybe I just better talk to someone instead of ordering online.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Steve
Gotta say I'm disappointed. While I understand the point of locking customers into contracts to recoup the cost of subsidizing a phone, my iPhone is an original. I paid full price for it. Surely there must be some flexibility there? Maybe I just better talk to someone instead of ordering online.
Any ideas?
Cheers,
Steve
iPhone 3G users take heart
the 3.0 OS is still going to download to your phone. You'll still get turn by turn from Tom Tom, copy/paste/undo, MMS (eventually) and all the other goodies. You might even get video recording... be thankful that Apple went with a soft upgrade model for 95% of the features. Yes the new phone is new, faster and has a better camera but there have been phones available with those features for 6 months already - if it was about the hardware you could have already picked up a different phone.
You'll survive ;-p
If you get desperate, just pull out a white out pen and write the S next to the 3G, nobody will know - it's our secret....
the 3.0 OS is still going to download to your phone. You'll still get turn by turn from Tom Tom, copy/paste/undo, MMS (eventually) and all the other goodies. You might even get video recording... be thankful that Apple went with a soft upgrade model for 95% of the features. Yes the new phone is new, faster and has a better camera but there have been phones available with those features for 6 months already - if it was about the hardware you could have already picked up a different phone.
You'll survive ;-p
If you get desperate, just pull out a white out pen and write the S next to the 3G, nobody will know - it's our secret....