A subsidy would negate the unlocking problem. They could tie a $200 subsidy to a contract that costs $200 to terminate early. Customers staying with AT&T for two years are happy, and unlockers going to another carrier pay $200 more upfront or $200 later if they terminate early. Even with prorated termination fees, AT&T is happy both ways.
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Current iPhone Users: How will you react if AT&T does subsidize the iPhone?
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A subsidy would negate the unlocking problem. They could tie a $200 subsidy to a contract that costs $200 to terminate early. Customers staying with AT&T for two years are happy, and unlockers going to another carrier pay $200 more upfront or $200 later if they terminate early. Even with prorated termination fees, AT&T is happy both ways.
This coming from a guy that probably bought his iphone AFTER the price drop.
BTW how they hell am I bitching when I dont even have an iphone. I just wanted to see if current iphone users this time around will change their tune due a subsidy. Wow, I'm glad to press your buttons.
This coming from a guy that probably bought his iphone AFTER the price drop.
BTW how they hell am I bitching when I dont even have an iphone. I just wanted to see if current iphone users this time around will change their tune due a subsidy. Wow, I'm glad to press your buttons.
What does me buying my iphone at a certain time have to do with anything. If anything it helps prove my point. I didnt think it was worth it at the original price So I didnt buy it. Others did. When the price came down I felt it was more the correct price and spent my money at that point.
Also, if you read my comment you will see that I didnt say you were bitching specifically.
I still stand by my point. if someone buys something than that was the price they were willing to pay. Noone twisted anyones arm to get the iPhone. it is a luxury not a necessity.
Agreed. I've always stated that the only reason I gave the iPhone consideration in the first place was that my RAZR took a nosedive in the toilet and stopped working shortly thereafter.
I was one of the first HD DVD early adopters, paying $500 for my Toshiba HD-A1 player. When the subsequent models came out and were much cheaper, I didn't complain. When Toshiba announced they were getting out of the HD DVD business I didn't whine. I still have a killer player, some great HD movies, and that is the price I decided to pay for being one of the first to have it. Same goes for my PS3.
My HD-A1 is no different from my iPhone, they serve a basic purpose, but are luxuries nonetheless, and I treat them as such.
I'd be for it if they did decide to subsidize for new subscribers for this reason; I switched from Verizon to AT&T (somewhat reluctantly) for the first iPhone, and my wife stayed on Verizon. I bought her an iPod Touch a few weeks ago, and she loves it. Now she's interested in an iPhone. If they subsidize the new phone, I'll switch my wife to at&t to get the new phone, then switch phones with her; then we'll both have an iPhone and I won't be out as much money. She wouldn't mind having the first gen I don't think.
I think that a carrier subsidy would be very beneficial in getting the iPhone 3G to become a more mainstream device. At the current $399 / $499 price this phone is geared towards niche markets, but the mainstream will not pursue this phone nearly as much as it would if one could be had for $199.
In my own case, I am waiting for early June to see what the AT&T offer is. If the 3G price is $400 or more, I will probably decide to get an AT&T Tilt (for free - $150, depending on what offer I get) rather than shell out the $400 for the iPhone. If the rumors of the AT&T subsidy are true and i can get a 3G for $199, I will almost certainly get the iPhone.
IMHO, Apple has already milked the tech weenie / fanboy / early adopter market, and now has to cut the price somehow or risk declining sales.
In my own case, I am waiting for early June to see what the AT&T offer is. If the 3G price is $400 or more, I will probably decide to get an AT&T Tilt (for free - $150, depending on what offer I get) rather than shell out the $400 for the iPhone. If the rumors of the AT&T subsidy are true and i can get a 3G for $199, I will almost certainly get the iPhone.
IMHO, Apple has already milked the tech weenie / fanboy / early adopter market, and now has to cut the price somehow or risk declining sales.
I would think that since the current iPhone AT&T contract DID NOT include a subsidy, current iPhone users are still eligible for one. They would just have to be willing to renew the contract for 2 years from the point they get the new phone...
At T-Mobile, you are not eligible for a another subisidy until the current 2 year contract is over.
Just my thoughts. We'll find out next month...
At T-Mobile, you are not eligible for a another subisidy until the current 2 year contract is over.
Just my thoughts. We'll find out next month...
Best post about this subject yet. No sense speculating what may or may not be only to be disappointed. I prefer to be pleasantly surprised or at the very least, expect the worst.
So, having read through this thread
Are people EXPECTING Apple or AT&T to drop the price of the 3G iPhone to get older iPhone customers to re-up for another 2-year deal?
I honestly didn't expect that but if they are.....I mean, count me in
Are people EXPECTING Apple or AT&T to drop the price of the 3G iPhone to get older iPhone customers to re-up for another 2-year deal?
I honestly didn't expect that but if they are.....I mean, count me in
Again IMHO if AT&T provides a subsidy it will be to get *new* customers, i.e. those who did not purchase an iPhone 1.0. And it would be a surprise to see the subsidy given to anyone who is not near the end of their contract (which would include all iPhone 1.0 buyers). And let's be honest, both Apple and AT&T know that the iPhone zealots will happily line up and pay full price for the 3G ...
Except AT&T NEVER makes you wait the full 2 years for an equipment upgrade. The longest you'd probably have to wait would be 18-20 months. They looooove to continue to lock people in to new contracts, and they're happy to re-up you at 13 or 14 months if it means you won't get anywhere near your contract lapsing. The last thing they want is someone going month-to-month, or getting close to an affordable ETF.
So if they think there's a market to lock in all those original iPhone owners with ANOTHER 2 years, damn skippy they'll do it.
Awesome! I re-up almost yearly anyway, so I usually just begged, cajoled, pointed to better tech, promised to pay for data plans, etc, and always got the upgrades I wanted at subsidy. One of the great things about GSM and AT&T is that they know you can get the phone you want, one way or another, and if they can shackle you, then they are happy. If they make upgrades too difficult, the people who buy a new phone each year will go to ebay or some other source for a cheaper upgrade...
Understood.
I bought my iPhone the day it came out last year and am still VERY happy with my iPhone still to this day
I wouldn't mind upgrading though if I was given the option at a reduced price even if it meant signing on for another 2 years
I just can't affod $500+ on a new cell-phone.
And if I have to stay with my current iPhone for another year, that is fine as I am as happy with this phone as I ever have been with any phone....period
Not true in all cases. My wife had her phone stolen in Chicago just two months after she bought it, and AT&T made an exception and allowed her to purchase a new phone with the same discount as her previous phone. Just ask to speak to a manager "right off the bat."
Well put
What I don't understand is why people would get pissed if the iPhone was subsidized... it's not like this means that their current iPhone is bad or was a rip off
Wait a min! This does not make a bit of since to me why people here are upset. I became a AT&T customer the day the iPhone went on sale. I did NOT get a subsidized phone... that means I should be able to upgrade my phone at any time with a subsidized phone (even before the contract is up). Yes, I have a 2 year contact but I'm thinking if your renew for another 2 they will let you upgrade and get a phone at a discount.
That would be fair way of doing it.
That would be fair way of doing it.