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If I pay $500.....

Mr. Giver '94

Mr. Giver '94

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 2, 2008
1,815
0
London
Okay so I bought a 3G on launch day last year with someone elses (mom's) upgrade, but I'm on a family plan and I am not the main line so I am not eligable for 199/299 pricing. (right?:confused:)

Anyway, I'm wondering if I pay $500 for the 32 GB 3GS now will I be eligable for a subsidy next year???

Don't flame me if there are similar threads. I have a unique circumstance and I don't feel like looking through 500 posts to find out.
 
i dont believe so as you would be entering in a new 2 year agreement

the high cost you are paying now is due to the fact that you are getting a new phone and effectively getting out of current contract
 
dukebound85 said:
i dont believe so as you would be entering in a new 2 year agreement

the high cost you are paying now is due to the fact that you are getting a new phone and effectively getting out of current contract
Click to expand...

D3lta said:
No, the $399/$499 pricing still require a new 2 year contract. You could pay $599/$699 for a no contract commitment.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm confused about. I thought the 599/699 was for people who didn't want to sign with AT&T. Since I'm already with them I'm a tad bit confused. I know I could call but the account is locked and in my dad's name and he's away on business right now so I have no way to check. (he doesn't give the account password to anyone)
 
Mr. Giver '94 said:
That's what I'm confused about. I thought the 599/699 was for people who didn't want to sign with AT&T. Since I'm already with them I'm a tad bit confused. I know I could call but the account is locked and in my dad's name and he's away on business right now so I have no way to check. (he doesn't give the account password to anyone)
Click to expand...

the 599/699 is for people who dont want to sign a 2 year commitment. the device itself will only work with ATT though
 
Mr. Giver '94 said:
I thought about this too. My 3G was having battery problems recently so the replacement one I have currently is basically brand new. My younger sister has been asking to have my iPhone when I get a new one though so I'm still on the fence about selling it.
Click to expand...

Well hey, if you're the type to get your little sister a $400+ gift, then more power to you.
 
If you buy the 3GS with no discount whatsoever then you do not need to sign a new 2 year contract and you will still be eligible for a new phone next year. However, in my opinion the new iPhone does not have enough new features to justify a $600 price tag when you already have the majority of the features on your 3G. So it basically comes down to whether or not it is worth it for you to spend the extra money for almost the same phone you already have.
 
No, you're still getting a subsidized price... even if it doesn't feel like it /:
 
dukebound85 said:
if you get a 3gs now and dont want a 2 year contract, yes

if you stick with your old 3g now, you will pay the cheapest option as it will be 2 years and due for upgrade. however you will be tied again to 2 years
Click to expand...

Okay. Thanks for helping me out! :)

AT&T policies and whatnot always confuse me because they differ so much based on an individual's circumstance.
 
Mr. Giver '94 said:
Anyway, I'm wondering if I pay $500 for the 32 GB 3GS now will I be eligable for a subsidy next year???

Don't flame me if there are similar threads. I have a unique circumstance and I don't feel like looking through 500 posts to find out.
Click to expand...


Funny thing i was just discussing the same thing with my wife.
My 2 year is up in 6 months, and i too am thinking about buying the 3GS at the regular price not to extend my AT&T contract for another 2 years.

But then again, i can just buy the 3GS at the discounted rate now and buy next years iphone at a regular price as well.

It's insane how the society keep you thinking about the faster, bigger, and better products to come in the future.
 
Maskusee said:
Funny thing i was just discussing the same thing with my wife.
My 2 year is up in 6 months, and i too am thinking about buying the 3GS at the regular price not to extend my AT&T contract for another 2 years.

But then again, i can just buy the 3GS at the discounted rate now and buy next years iphone at a regular price as well.

It's insane how the society keep you thinking about the faster, bigger, and better products to come in the future.
Click to expand...

Yeah technology these days is just deciding whether the current features are compelling enough to justify buying.... Or you can wait another year or less and get something better.
 
Hmm, I wonder which is cheaper by upgrading 3 years in a row.

Start off $299, then early upgrade $499+$18 fee, then early upgrade again at $499+$18 fee: Total: $1,333 (Average $444 a year)

Start off $299, then no contract $599, then subsidize at $299: Total: $1,197 (Average $399 a year)

So if you are willing to pay an extra $100 now for full price and no $18 fee, and plan to upgrade again next year, you could save an extra $136 by getting full subsidy by then. Or at least have the option to leave ATT.
 
Timothy - That's what I'm thinking is best at this point. There is also the off?-chance next year's phone might offer other carriers given AT&T is such a royal screw up and Apple clearly (IMO) isn't happy.

But actually your numbers are off if going by 32gb. It would be $499 vs. $699
 
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