If most of us are on 2 year contracts how can we get a new iPhone ?

[Hot Snowboarder]

Here's an idea. (sorry if already posted)

Buy an iPhone outright. If you can't afford too, then its probably a good indication that you shouldn't be spending your money on one.

Disregard this idea in countries where you can only purchase an iPhone on a plan.

 

[dejo]

Fact b - If you are not currently eligible for an upgrade you are not an early adopter.

The early adopters paid $600 for their iphone and were eligible for an upgrade from day one.

What about the early adopters who upgraded to a 3G the day it came out? What about them?

 

[anjinha]

What about the early adopters who upgraded to a 3G the day it came out? What about them?

Those early adopters haven't fully payed their 3Gs yet...

 

[bjquach]

I'm buying my iPhone at full price anyway. Oh well.

 

[Andrew K.]

i bought a new iphone 3g because i broke mine and i had to pay 400$ for the iphone plus sign a new 2 year contract and IM not eligable for an upgrade at disscounted price.. i wonder why

Because you bought your upgrade right there, I bought mine in september and my status from AT&T is Upgrade available at a discounted price.

 

[TurboSC]

Cash Goes In, iPhone Comes Out....

 

[bjquach]

OR: Wait in line, me go inside, cash goes OUT, IN comes iPhone to my pocket. Maybe a little accessory shopping and chatting here and there.

 

[rgarjr]

How much are the current 3G iphones without the contract on stores? I know there's tons on eBay but was wondering in stores.

 

[bjquach]

W/o contract? I think it's 599/699

 

[nikhsub1]

Then either AT&T has different rules for the iphone than for every other phone they sell or they have different rules for you specifically. I'm not sure which seems more implausible.

There are several people other than me to confirm this. Just because the contract is 2 years does NOT mean that ATT won't let people upgrade before the 2 years is up. Seems to me that for 3G users that time period is 1 year that they can get an upgrade.

 

[uberamd]

All of this wishing for a cheap iPhone is silly. The Macbook is a popular product, do they just drop prices so they are more available? In order for a lot of money to be made on the iPhone, they need to charge money!

Yes, you can upgrade if you have just had your phone, but it will cost you $400! AT&T wants money! Apple is posting record profits, are they cutting prices to make less profit but get more people to buy their stuff? NO! But please, keep thinking Apple is going to suddenly going to quit caring about their money and charge everyone low prices.

Take an economics class, please.

 

[RogueVasion]

I just bought my iPhone 3G on my personal line about 3 months ago and it was stolen out of my car...

I hope they will allow a full price upgrade, because I'm going to use my work cell until I hear about the new iPhone and its prices.

 

[StuddedLeather]

At times like this I'M HAPPY I didn't upgrade to the 3G. . . What was the point of that?

 

[plasticavatar]

It's insane, really =)

All of this wishing for a cheap iPhone is silly. The Macbook is a popular product, do they just drop prices so they are more available?

I can't believe how caught up people get with techno lust (me included, but I think I'm on the frugal side) .

I wanted to wait til the model was released, but things worked out differently. I'm ashamed I have a pang of envy over the coming iPhone. A *phone*.

I searched the forum today for any rumors on upgrades or trade-ins. A guy babbled about a trade-in/discount/thing at the office yesterday, so I thought I'd check on it. I think he was confused by the 1st Gen to 3G upgrade last year.

But I don't have any kind of feelings like I'm entitled to an upgrade- it's just something that'd be nice

It's amazing what slaves we are to this nowadays.

 

[Gyrferret]

I find it funny that people on Blackberry forums, Nokia forums, and probably every other phone forums go over this entire thread in some form or another.

All I can say is that we are just another group of algea in a pond..... a

As a quick question: If they introduce a 32GB model, will they have the 16GB model in white too, or do you think they would make the 32GB the sole carrier of the white phone?

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

As a quick question: If they introduce a 32GB model, will they have the 16GB model in white too, or do you think they would make the 32GB the sole carrier of the white phone?

If this is to believed (and that's a big "IF"), the 16GB model will continue to come in both black and white.

 

[deetsnai]

I don't understand why people in here are saying there wont be an upgrade path for 3G owners. All AT&T customers are eligible for an upgrade after the 1st year in their contract. It has been like this for years. All you have to do is sign another 2 year contract which overlaps the original. Meaning, you just signed an additional year to your remaining year.

Also, the first iPhone was subsidized (just not heavily), and you could not use your account upgrade for any phone until the standard 1 year passed. That being said, the 1 year rule was not in effect if you purchased a iPhone 3G.

It is pretty safe to assume Apple and AT&T have a deal so that all customers are eligable for any new iPhone release.

 

[Gyrferret]

Oh yeah. Front page news. Shoulda' paid more attention to that particular post.....

As for contracts, I'm just buying a new phone. This may be a bit far reaching, but does anyone else have the feeling this same thread will occur one year from now? And then the year after?

 

[Markleshark]

It is pretty safe to assume Apple and AT&T have a deal so that all customers are eligable for any new iPhone release.

I always thought this would be the case with the iPhone. Yeah, I 100% see where everyone is coming from, it's a phone, you shouldn't be able to upgrade until your due one, etc, etc. However, I always thought that wouldn't be the case for the iPhone and you'd be able to upgrade when the new one hits the shops. For me, it makes financial sense for both Apple and the Carrier. I don't expect if for free, but the £159 or whatever I paid for the 3G... Sure, no problem.

Guess we'll see on Monday.

 

[Mengels7]

I always thought this would be the case with the iPhone. Yeah, I 100% see where everyone is coming from, it's a phone, you shouldn't be able to upgrade until your due one, etc, etc. However, I always thought that wouldn't be the case for the iPhone and you'd be able to upgrade when the new one hits the shops. For me, it makes financial sense for both Apple and the Carrier. I don't expect if for free, but the £159 or whatever I paid for the 3G... Sure, no problem.

Guess we'll see on Monday.

Of course it makes sense. But don't tell that to all these people who are laying down the "facts" that it CAN'T happen.

 

[Markleshark]

Of course it makes sense. But don't tell that to all these people who are laying down the "facts" that it CAN'T happen.

Thing is, I sorta can see where they are coming from, but surely even they can see that the iPhone and it's 'fanatical' followers are different. I don't think I've seen anyone queuing for the newest Nokia at 1am in the morning...

 

[stridemat]

Those early adopters haven't fully payed their 3Gs yet...

I think this is what is going to happen in the uk. Most people are on 18 month contracts so when the new phone comes out we will have 6 months left on our contracts. If you wish to upgrade to the new iPhone the 6 months can be 'transfered' to a new 18 month contract giving you a total of 2 years with the new iPhone.

 

[App1€]

I swear 3G owners are perhaps the most arrogant people I've ever met. Haven't you learned you can't have cake and eat it? You are in a contract. You signed said contract get over it stop hoping and saying, but its an iPhone AT$T doesn't lose money by keeping you in contract they GAIN

1. You terminate and upgrade- More money
2. You stay and then upgrade- More Money
3. You pay double said price of subsidized- More money
4. You pay ETF and leave- Less money in the long run, but more for the time being and I guarantee for ever person who leaves 2 more will be signing up.

Get off your high horse 3G owners you won't get an upgrade discount, and really in no way should you think you deserve it.

Think of it this way.

People always speak of "The Apple Tax" meaning you pay more but you get the quality and customer service that comes with Apple.

1st Gen iPhone owners paid this Apple Tax because they did not get a subsidized price. Thus these owners will get the benefit of being able to get the new one subsidized.

3G owners didn't pay this Apple Tax when they bought there 3G iPhones and thus don't get the benefit of a subsidized phone.

And on a side note. 3G owners are not early adopters I don't care when you bought it. Original iPhone owners who bought it in June or July are.

 

[Petoz]

I think this is what is going to happen in the uk. Most people are on 18 month contracts so when the new phone comes out we will have 6 months left on our contracts. If you wish to upgrade to the new iPhone the 6 months can be 'transfered' to a new 18 month contract giving you a total of 2 years with the new iPhone.

I dont think they would ever add time to your contract. You either continue and finish your 18 months ( I am on o2 too, and have had 3G since day 1 so am in the same boat as so many people), or O2 allow to to sign up to a new 18/24 month contract. They would not add time to an existing contract.

But why would O2 do this?! I should say I would love them to. But why?! It does not make economical sense for them. We bought the phone on day 1, got it free in my case, and now have to wait 18 months to pay that back. Either that, or buy out of the contract and sign up to a new one. Or buy the phone outright, finish the 18 month contract, then stick a simplicity sim in the phone.

If O2, or any other carrier allowed users to upgrade early and sign up to a new 18/24 month contract, what would happen next July when another new iphone comes out?! They would never recoup the money for any of the iphones.

Seriously people. As much as I want it, it is not going to happen. You sign a contract, you honour the contract. Or buy yourself out.

Please, someone prove me wrong. Make O2 hand over free iphones for everyone.

 

[stridemat]

Good point about what happens next year, they would be offering very long contracts.