Heard that there's going to be a feature limited model...

[lftrghtparadigm]

While nobody knows the complete truth about the new iPhone expected this summer, including myself, I heard some new stuff from a guy in my class that works at AT&T. The first thing he told me was that they're trying very hard to get rid of all iPhones (3G) around May. He said they're pushing really hard (hence the no contract obligation). Second, he said that a lower end model was going to be added to the lineup that had a cheaper data plan (to get everyone using an Apple brand phone). He knew nothing about hardware updates, which makes sense at this time. I'm sure most of you, since this forum is huge, know someone who works at AT&T and this could be total garbage, but everything he told me in the past has been true so far.

The lower end model will be an upgraded iPhone 3G, while the new model will be the new model...ya know....better.

This has been suspect for some time, so whether you made it up or repeated it word for word, its already been posted.

 

[chaostrick]

AT&T is supposed to be coming out with 3.5G this summer, so maybe they are going to release a new Data plan to use with it. Like the 3G drops to the old $20 plan and the 3.5G becomes the $30 plan. If you are contracted at $30 for 3G, then you are contracted, no soup for you. I am contracted on a plan that doesnt even exist anymore, (unlimited data, 1500 text), so its possible that the "new" IPhone will use the new rate and the IPhone 3g will become the "low" end model.

I agree that Apple isnt going to release a crap model, Walmart tried to get them to and failed. The old people are gonna have to learn to adjust or stand on the sideline and watch.

 

[actorkid]

I am contracted on a plan that doesnt even exist anymore, (unlimited data, 1500 text), so its possible that the "new" IPhone will use the new rate and the IPhone 3g will become the "low" end model.

I had that plan as well...but there's a major difference.

They RAISED the price of the 1500 text plan from $10/month to $15/month, so the people with the old plan considered themselves lucky and just stuck with it, whereas new people would say, "crap, only a 5 dollar difference between this and unlimited texting? I might as well just get unlimited" (which, I'm sure, is WHY they raised the 1500 texting price in the first place)

If they were to grandfather the $30/month 3G plan and replace it with a $20/month plan, think of the endless whining and complaining AT&T would hear from people who had to still pay the extra $10/month premium...I can't see it happening.

 

[takenthesmeg]

The idea of a cut-down iPhone is not at all popular. As evident on a resent poll I posted. People can't stand the idea of Apple going backwards. However continuing the iPhone 3G line, and introducing a new one (HD, Pro, etc) is a more accepted idea. This way there is a cheaper option, but hardware upgrades only trickle down to it. MacBook Pro ... MacBook.

 

[fishmd]

If you are contracted at $30 for 3G, then you are contracted, no soup for you. I am contracted on a plan that doesnt even exist anymore, (unlimited data, 1500 text), so its possible that the "new" IPhone will use the new rate and the IPhone 3g will become the "low" end model.

This makes no sense at all. You can change your data plan at any time. There is no way in the world that ATT would drop the price of their data plan for current 3G users to 20$ a month. All phones on the ATT 3G network currently have data plans for 30$ for unlimited use, including Blackberry users. If ATT comes out with a newer, faster 3G network this Summer, they will either charge the same price for it, or do exactly what they did in the past, which is charge a bit more for it....Otherwise it does not make good business sense.

 

[fishmd]

If they were to grandfather the $30/month 3G plan and replace it with a $20/month plan, think of the endless whining and complaining AT&T would hear from people who had to still pay the extra $10/month premium...I can't see it happening.

Right, there is no such thing as grandfathering in a plan that costs the current customers more. You can change your data/rate plan at any time without renewing your contract. If they drop the price to 20$ a month for data, you could change it. You are not stuck at the 30$ price point. ATT would loose out huge on their income. I promise you, they will not drop the cost of the data plan.

Like I said, if, and I really mean if ATT comes out with their faster 3G network this summer, they will either make it the same 30$ a month, or a slightly higher rate.

Done.