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

im in the uk on o2 on a 18 month contract, took the 3g on release day. so still have 6 months left.
i have another 02 contract with another 3g that is due an upgrade now. ( its my sons phone that was replaced by 02 FOC. he got a replacement 3g from the original iphone)

i have spoken to o2 this morning. obv. they are saying they know nothing , but i was repeatedly told that this year is different from last.they said that basically last year i got my phone for free and that was unlikely to happen again. i was told i could cancel my contract at some huge fee, and get a new one.
i have a £75 a month tariff as i use it so much, but am not expecting to get the new one for free, or even at all, without terminating contract and paying huge amounts.

I will be using my sons upgrade though -- he is seriously peeved with me but he is 13 and i pay his bill!!
 
Starting to see a rift between is already!.

I dont like the fact that I'm not an early opdoter because I have a 3G phone........ in fact I am, because I was a 2G customer, paid full price and was able to upgrade with the 3G when it came out.

So I have to say just because I have a 3G phone doesn't mean I just jumped on the band wagon!.

Having said all of that, I think plain and simple that there will be some sort of option to upgrade to the new phone when it comes........... heres the crunch........ the cost of doing so!!!

Forget everything else, Apple doesn't make the iPhone because it loves us, it makes the iPhone to make ££££ or $$$, by the same token, O2, AT& T and anyone else who has the phone is also there to make money. Plain and simple, if you want the phone when it comes your going to have to pay for it and expect to pay big for it.

Its no different to anything else in this world, ultimately you all or most of us signed a contract and none of these companies have any obligation to let us out of it or alter it before the minimum term is up. I just have to say that from a "marketing" point of view and a "business" view they are likely to offer something its just NOT going to be to everyone liking and at the end of the day if the new phone turns out to be as amazing as it should and could be, those of us that can't afford to pay will still upgrade at the end of our periods.

However, can we please not start having pop's at each other over "well we were early adopters because blah blah blah" there no need to create a divide between us all. We are all here because we are Apple Fans
 
drpellypo said:
yeah, you're right. You've poked a massive hole in my logic. Lol! I still think due to the fanboy nature of iPhones, o2 will allow us to upgrade, starting a new 18 month contract, when (if) the new one comes out. Just a hunch. A friend of mine is a manager at an o2 store. She may know more next week. At present she knows diddly squat, and says it's the same for all ground level o2 employees.
Click to expand...

Like you, I'm really hoping that o2 are going to offer some reasonable upgrade path to us original 3G owners 12 months into our contract, but I'm not too optimistic based on much of what has already been said here. However, a couple of thoughts:

Yes, I understand that my original purchase price was subsidised with an 18 month contract. However - at £35/month at what stage do o2 "cut even" on the price of the phone? I paid £99, and I'll have paid 12x£35, so a total of £519 (notwithstanding I've had calls/text/data for that too). Has o2 recouped enough here for it to be worth while them tying me in for a fresh 18 month contract? Or even a 2 year one which I think they are pushing now?

And that leads me on to my other thought. The iPhone is different from most other contract mobiles in that (a) the manufacturer has a lot of control over how it is sold by the mobile providers and (b) it has a product lifecycle whereby it is upgraded annually. Obviously this annual upgrade is at odds with 18 month/2 year contract lengths, and I wonder if Apple will have wanted to negotiate something with its iPhone partners so as not to lose income from those people, like me, who are willing to pay a reasonable amount for the latest model.

And finally, I'd like to think that o2 and the likes have a policy in place for how its going to deal with all us who want to upgrade early, but nothwithstanding what I've said before, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they've not yet even considered it and it won't be until they get inundated with calls after next Monday that they actually come up with a knee-jerk policy which will probably change several times in the following weeks.

Anyway, fingers crossed!
 
think i will wait!

I think i am going to wait for the inevitable 4th iPhone that will probably be released next July (or at the very least a refreshed model if there is no new one). I bought my iPhone 3G from O2 on release day so probably wont be able to upgrade until Dec/Jan. Might as well wait another 6 months for the next one.

Also, we are all very eager to say we will upgrade to the new iPhone, but we dont actually 100% know what it will add and whether its worth the price (it probably will be lol)
 
mvp2206 said:
Also, we are all very eager to say we will upgrade to the new iPhone, but we dont actually 100% know what it will add and whether its worth the price (it probably will be lol)
Click to expand...

Exactly…
I may well just stick with my original 1st gen iPhone if the latest is just a lukewarm upgrade.

All depends on 3.0 though… :)
 
Be interesting to see how this actually plays out. I bought a new 3G 6 months ago. Would I like a new phone? Honestly? Not if it's going to cost me an arm and a leg.

I figure I'll be getting the new OS, which will give me a "like new" feeling anyway, and frankly, it's a phone. It already does all I need and then some. time flies, and in a year and a half when I'm eligible to upgrade, the next latest and greatest iPhone will be out. :)

I really don't get the obsession with some over hardware. Kind of like buying a new computer when your existing one is a year old. Your all excited, then, after a few months, realize it really isn't that much better than the old one, and you dropped a few K needlessly. :D
 
All I have to do to end my contract with optus is pay the monthly cost for all the remaining months. which would be 12 months X $19 = $228 AUS which isn't too much i guess.
 
NightFox said:
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they've not yet even considered it and it won't be until they get inundated with calls after next Monday that they actually come up with a knee-jerk policy which will probably change several times in the following weeks.
Click to expand...

That sounds exactly like the O2 I've been in dispute with since last July. :mad:
 
It's just a phone, albeit a fun one.

I'm guessing most people on this thread already have the 3G, what is so urgent about getting the next one - particularly when you can upgrade to 3.0 when the upgrade is released?

What is so compelling about the [speculated specs of the] new hardware that the 3G model just won't do?
 
NightFox said:
Like you, I'm really hoping that o2 are going to offer some reasonable upgrade path to us original 3G owners 12 months into our contract, but I'm not too optimistic based on much of what has already been said here. However, a couple of thoughts:

Yes, I understand that my original purchase price was subsidised with an 18 month contract. However - at £35/month at what stage do o2 "cut even" on the price of the phone? I paid £99, and I'll have paid 12x£35, so a total of £519 (notwithstanding I've had calls/text/data for that too). Has o2 recouped enough here for it to be worth while them tying me in for a fresh 18 month contract? Or even a 2 year one which I think they are pushing now?

And that leads me on to my other thought. The iPhone is different from most other contract mobiles in that (a) the manufacturer has a lot of control over how it is sold by the mobile providers and (b) it has a product lifecycle whereby it is upgraded annually. Obviously this annual upgrade is at odds with 18 month/2 year contract lengths, and I wonder if Apple will have wanted to negotiate something with its iPhone partners so as not to lose income from those people, like me, who are willing to pay a reasonable amount for the latest model.

And finally, I'd like to think that o2 and the likes have a policy in place for how its going to deal with all us who want to upgrade early, but nothwithstanding what I've said before, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they've not yet even considered it and it won't be until they get inundated with calls after next Monday that they actually come up with a knee-jerk policy which will probably change several times in the following weeks.

Anyway, fingers crossed!
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. With the iPhone, there is a bit of a dichotomy in the way that Apple and O2 (and other mobile providers) operate.

Apple have always encouraged the yearly upgrade-lust of the annual iPod launch, knowing that despite having a perfectly servicable ipod, thousands of us will pay again to have a new colour, or a new feature, or more storage. They have us all hooked.

Now, 3G owners, gagging to have the latest version face the prospect of being excluded from this ritual by the mobile operators' opposing practice of making the customer wait until the end of his contract. The two approaches seem utterly incompatible.

It looks like we'll be paying through the nose to get out hands on the new iPhone if we want it at launch.
 
jsgreen said:
It's just a phone, albeit a fun one.

I'm guessing most people on this thread already have the 3G, what is so urgent about getting the next one - particularly when you can upgrade to 3.0 when the upgrade is released?

What is so compelling about the [speculated specs of the] new hardware that the 3G model just won't do?
Click to expand...

For me, it's storage and the prospect of a faster, more responsive UI. Slightly better camera and video recording are nice 'extras'.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A312g Safari/528.16)

jsgreen said:
It's just a phone, albeit a fun one.

I'm guessing most people on this thread already have the 3G, what is so urgent about getting the next one - particularly when you can upgrade to 3.0 when the upgrade is released?

What is so compelling about the [speculated specs of the] new hardware that the 3G model just won't do?
Click to expand...

Because it's new and from apple!!!!!
 
My AT&T page says this:

You are not eligible to upgrade at a discounted price due to your length of service. However, you may still purchase a phone/device at the full price. Our records indicate that you will be eligible for an upgrade at a discounted price on 12/11/2009
Click to expand...

You are eligible for an early upgrade to an iPhone at a reduced discount. Our records indicate that you will be eligible for an upgrade to an iPhone at a discounted price on 12/11/2009
Click to expand...

It says that all on one page with two floating boxes. That would put the upgrade 1 year and 5 months after I upgraded to the 3g on iDay '08. I also bought the 1st gen on iDay '07. So apparently everyone has random upgrade times, which means AT&T is trying to confuse us or doesn't know what's going to happen yet. I think I remember something similar happening last year with the varying upgrade dates. This is what I expect to happen:

Not upgrade eligible: 16gb - $299, 32gb - $399

Upgrade eligible (6 months or so before contract is up): 16gb - $199, 32gb - $299

There are also rumors that the price might go down, especially with competition from Palm and Sprint, so maybe those who aren't upgrade eligible will pay more, but the same amount from last year. Those who are eligible will pay $99-199?

Also, if AT&T follows their normal routine of allowing upgrades after 18 months, and if the rumored AT&T exclusivity agreement expires in 2010, then all iPhone 3g owners will be upgrade eligible from January 2010 or later and if it's announced at MacWorld that Verizon is getting the iPhone, people may just decide to wait out the remaining 6 months of their contract and jump ship. I know I would seriously consider it, and I've been with AT&T for 5 years.

I know those are a lot of ifs, but with the Pre coming out, AT&T and Apple have to work together to make sure their customers "stick", even if they make slightly less money on them going forward, its better than making no money at all. It's better to take a loss than to lose it all. Now Apple will never lose it all, but AT&T could with its exclusivity expiring. Stranger things have happened.

I also think this new version is worth it. I've said all along that I would upgrade if only the battery lasted longer. From everything I've read, it most likely will. Battery tech is slightly better, the Arm Cortex A8 processor is supposed to have better energy savings, the 802.11 N wifi chip is supposed to be lower powered (something to do with send / receive at once instead of seperately?) Also the (low) chance of OLED display would improve batter life with no backlight. Not sure about the 7.2mbps new 3g chip, but maybe it uses less power too. Autofocus camera makes the images much more usable, especially in apps that scan barcodes, etc. Compass will be great in Google Maps when driving because it will reorient the maps based on heading. Double the RAM to 256mb will cause most all app crashes to go away, especially Safari. Matte enclosure also means I won't buy a case. Then don't even get me started on video...most likely 720p, since the Arm Cortex A8 supports that. That chip is also lots faster than the current one, even though its only 200mhz faster, the architecture is much better. The iPhone only needs a little bit of a push to make it blazing and keep down the small amount of lag. I'm also sticking to my statements from months ago that it will be called the iPhone Video (funny now that there is a rumor that is what it will be called).

Ok sorry I'm done with this novel. I'm bored at work today, finished all my projects a day early...
 
redgaz26 said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A312g Safari/528.16)



Because it's new and from apple!!!!!
Click to expand...

and according to recent rumors it's faster
 
Well, does AT&T offer anything like Verizon which is that their ETF decreases $5 each month you're on a contract. So, if you bough in July (assuming a $175 ETF), you'll pay ~$115.

Quote from their website:
You may cancel service within 30 days from the activation date to avoid the early termination fee of $175. Thereafter the fee will decrease by $5 each month for the term of the agreement. You will be responsible for all applicable usage fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation.
Click to expand...
(However, I believe there are waiting periods from when you cancel and when you can sign up for a new contract.....)

Early Upgrade Quote:
If you are not currently upgrade eligible, you may have the option to purchase an early upgrade priced at $399 for 8GB (black) or $499 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required. This pricing is available only at an AT&T Store and is currently not available online. Please visit an AT&T Store for details
Click to expand...

So, to buy a new iPhone and you already own a 3G and bought in July, I would stick with canceling.
Early Termination Fee + new 8GB iPhone: ~$315
Early Upgrade for 8GB iPhone: ~$400
 
I don't see the problem, if they charge you for the upgrade you can probably get £350 for a 16gb iPhone, sell it on ebay and buy the new iPhone I'm guessing the 32gb version will be around £250 on contract, and your £100 better off.
 
Azmontana said:
I don't see the problem, if they charge you for the upgrade you can probably get £350 for a 16gb iPhone, sell it on ebay and buy the new iPhone I'm guessing the 32gb version will be around £250 on contract, and your £100 better off.
Click to expand...

Thats such a hassle.
 
More RAM is probably the greatest incentive for me to upgrade, along with the improved processor. I guess we'll have to wait for reviews to see how much an improvement in performance it makes.

That said, with 3.0 plus jailbreak for background ect. it'd have to be fully subsidized for me to consider upgrading.
 
Gyrferret said:
Well, does AT&T offer anything like Verizon which is that their ETF decreases $5 each month you're on a contract
Click to expand...

That's not a Verizon "offering" so much as it is a government-mandated reform to mobile companies who were called out for abusive policies.

AT&T said:
Service Cancellation
You may cancel service within 30 days from the activation date to avoid the early termination fee of $175. Thereafter the fee will decrease by $5 each month for the term of the agreement. You will be responsible for all applicable usage fees, prorated access charges, taxes, surcharges or other charges through the termination date. AT&T will refund your activation fee, if any, if service is terminated within 3 days of activation.

You may have to return any handsets and accessories purchased with the service before your account will be cancelled. If you are allowed to cancel service within the 30 day return period, but do not return the equipment within the return period, AT&T may charge you an amount equal to or up to the full retail price of the equipment.

If you paid a security deposit, it will take 1 to 2 billing cycles to process the return of the security deposit. The charges for service used on the account before the service termination date will be applied against the security deposit.
Click to expand...

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/return-policy.jsp
 
Guys, just go and buy one if you have the money. I would suggest everyone save/put aside at least $400 just in case the upgrades don't work out so well. If it does work out, just use the extra cash for accessories or something.
 
o2 people please read!

I've just been on the phone with o2 talking about changing my £35 a month contract down to the £30 one and the lady said thats fine (I got my 3G at launch).

I also said if i change it down to the £30 and then pay my contract off when the new iPhone comes out, will it be fine me paying the 7 lots of £30's instead of the £35's and she also that is fine.

So if we can't do a early upgrade i recommend people to do this. Then we can sell out handsets on ebay which effectively makes paying off the contract free.

Hope this helps.
 
As i posted in another topic:

If AT+T do allow an upgrade path for 3G owners, which i think they would be daft not to, i can only see this happening one way.

An iphone cost's $X to att. So att subsidise this to $200 (disregarding the 16GB here for a minute), so att are out of pocket $(X-200). Now assume:

1)They account for this subsidy over the 24months on a monthly basis

2) The next iphone comes out for a price of $Y subsidized on a new 2 year contract

The only sensible move for att, would be to terminate your new contract, and recoup the subsidy of the 3g by adding it to your next gen sale so the price of the new phone would be $ Y + (months left on contract)*[(X-200)/24] and you now have a new 2 year contract starting on the day you get your new phone.

That to me makes complete financial sense, you have made a net profit on the first contract, and have a user for a 2 year contract, which in a year you can offer the same thing.

Now that i think more about it. If apple are going to release a new phone every year (and they will), why not just offer 12 month contracts, and either decrease the subsidy or make up the subsidy else where. But then what if the user wants to jump ship? By getting two chances to offer a new contract works extremely well in ATTs favour.
 
Caris said:
I've just been on the phone with o2 talking about changing my £35 a month contract down to the £30 one and the lady said thats fine (I got my 3G at launch).

I also said if i change it down to the £30 and then pay my contract off when the new iPhone comes out, will it be fine me paying the 7 lots of £30's instead of the £35's and she also that is fine.

So if we can't do a early upgrade i recommend people to do this. Then we can sell out handsets on ebay which effectively makes paying off the contract free.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

You should also be able to downgrade your price plan again next month!!!! you can do it every 30 days, however I dont know what the effect would be on your unlimited data!
 
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