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iPhone 3G Hands On, Notes, and Questions

ziggyonice said:
I think this is something a lot of people are going to have to realize. The first generation iPhone was something special in the fact that AT&T adjusted their pricing to give us a better deal -- the iPhone was expensive, and the plans were not.

But with iPhone 3G, we're looking at getting an affordable phone with better service. While yes, the pricing won't come out even, we're getting as good a deal as Blackberry users get. So with a great phone by Apple, and the usual service by AT&T, this seems perfectly reasonable. If the minimum $75/month (voice + data + text) doesn't work for you, look into other options.

This is the point where the iPhone, while incredibly amazing, is realized to be a phone first.
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Yep, Apple and AT&T changed the deal to suit the multitude of users who were complaining that the iPhone cost too much. Of course, these people didn't realize that part of this price was some freedom, including relatively easy unlocking for use with other carriers and iTunes activation. With the subsidy model, the iPhone is similar to other phones.
You can't have cake and ice cream.
 
SirOmega said:
Well you do get your purchase price back (possibly minus a restocking fee). So you're actually out no money minus the restocking fee if you cancel within 30 days.
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That's not really the point, though... I mean, correct me if I'm completely misunderstanding this, but what I gather is that they (AT&T and/or Apple) expect you to return your phone if you cancel your contract with AT&T within 30 days? That's retarded... you should be able to keep the iPhone without a contract.
 
Surely the answer to avoid scratching the new iPhone is to buy a case of some kind. Think I'd prefer either a rigid case, or something from Krusell. I didn't buy the first generation iPhone, but will probably go for one now as it's 3G and has the GPS built in. Shame Apple didn't upgrade the camera, but I've got a decent Canon digital camera to take pictures that's compact enough to fit in another pocket.

Would also have preferred the iPhone was opened up to all operators here in the UK, but the £30 a month package including unlimited net access seems the best deal for me as I don't talk that much on a mobile, and send less than 150 texts a month too. Looking forward to getting one at last. :)
 
so......

is there anyway around this roadblock (return phone if youre canceling, to the activate at store only), so i can get a phone i can use on another network?
 
So while being thinner at the edges, it's thicker in the middle than the old iPhone? So lying side by side with the old, it's actually thicker?

Well, the only good thing about that, is that because they went to plastics, the extra strength is needed, I guess.
 
007bond4321 said:
I don't know/remember hearing how things were at Apple stores last year, but when I purchased mine from ATT at launch last year, it took a solid 30 minutes to CHECKOUT.
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At the local store (where people were lined up around the block) it took 2-4 minutes from the time the customer asked for the iPhone to the moment they left the store, sealed iPhone(s) in hand.
 
thecheda said:
is there anyway around this roadblock (return phone if youre canceling, to the activate at store only), so i can get a phone i can use on another network?
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wait 30 days, then cancel, pay early termination fee.

if you're in the u.s. I don't know where you'll use it. I don't believe t-mobile has 3g available yet.

arn
 
I suppose I'm like most people... a little disappointed in this week's news. I give this phone upgrade a C+. I give the new rate plan an F because I'm not in a 3G location and because they'll charge more for text messages now.

Like many people, I don't like the idea of paying $15.00 more per month ($10.00 for 3G and $5.00 to retain text messages) for the next 2 years... and even longer. And, especially when I'm in a non-3G area and when I also use Wi-Fi access points much more than using EDGE. I'm many miles away from the nearest 3G city. So, I get to pay $180.00 more per year without getting 3G if I buy the new iPhone. Doesn't seem fair. Can't they just give me EDGE service limitations on my plan? I really don't think $180.00 per year is a decent price for just getting GPS (as the only other major physical upgrade feature).

Maybe I was also hoping for at least one more 'WOW' feature over and above 3G and GPS?

What I was REALLY wanting... 32gb, video camera for iChat/video, Flash, GPS and 3G. I would have paid $500.00 for it. But, I would have wanted the same monthly fee at this price.

So, we win some... and we lose some. I already sold my iPhone and so I'm wondering how long I'd have to wait to get the 32gb model. I really don't need it. But, I need some other useful feature to help me justify $180.00 more per year in extra service fees.

In the meantime... I haven't decided what I'll do.
 
iPod Touch Pricing

Haven't heard anything about this.

If the 8GB iPhone is going to be $199 and the 8GB Touch is currently $299 will the Touch price go down or is the AT&T requirement even everything out?

just curious.

JS
 
mrtravel123 said:
Like many people, I don't like the idea of paying $15.00 more per month ($10.00 for 3G and $5.00 to retain text messages) for the next 2 years... and even longer. And, especially when I'm in a non-3G area and when I also use Wi-Fi access points much more than using EDGE. I'm many miles away from the nearest 3G city. So, I get to pay $180.00 more per year without getting 3G if I buy the new iPhone. Doesn't seem fair. Can't they just give me EDGE service limitations on my plan? I really don't think $180.00 per year is a decent price for just getting GPS (as the only other major physical upgrade feature).
Click to expand...

"Customers with the most cause for objection with this pricing are those who don't live in 3G supported areas. While the new iPhone will default back to EDGE data support in these areas, users will still have to pay for 3G data. But again, this appears to be standard procedure for data plans on 3G-enabled smartphones." -Macrumors

So find another phone.......:)
 
cloudnine said:
Users will have to return the phone?! HAH. That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. Class action lawsuit, anyone?
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yeah, and what happens if I dont return the phone and cancel within 30 days. they come with the cops to my house to look for it?
 
pay up.

absolutic said:
yeah, and what happens if I dont return the phone and cancel within 30 days. they come with the cops to my house to look for it?
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but to actually cancel, they'll look for the phone back on their counters. otherwise, you'll be paying 85+ whether you like it or not.

not like you can call and cancel, and then run away.
 
jareds941 said:
Haven't heard anything about this.

If the 8GB iPhone is going to be $199 and the 8GB Touch is currently $299 will the Touch price go down or is the AT&T requirement even everything out?

just curious.

JS
Click to expand...

You don't have to sign a 2-year contract to pay $79.00 a month when you buy the Touch so I'd say the extra $100 one would pay for the Touch balances cost out pretty good.
 
noservice2001 said:
someone should find out the procedure in other countries.... and if you can buy the hardware at the apple store.....

and what happens if you "lose" the phone within the first 30 days? i heard insurance is a go for this one....
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In Switzerland you'll be able to buy the iPhone on Swisscom's online-store - so I doubt they'll require in-store activation. Apple won't be selling it directly, though.

kis
 
arn said:
wait 30 days, then cancel, pay early termination fee.

if you're in the u.s. I don't know where you'll use it. I don't believe t-mobile has 3g available yet.

arn
Click to expand...

even when t-mobiles 3G becomes available it will simply not work with the iphone 3G because it uses different bands. only place to use 3G on the new iphone is att.
 
A shame about the camera but I really do love the sound of Geotagging.

A couple of years ago whilst at university I made a playlist that I would start playing when I got the bus. I had it timed perfectly so it would play Manchester music whilst in the city and then onto music from my nearby town. It sounds like a GPS iPhone would be able to do this so long as albums could have a GPS location too.

A "Play music from here" mode that would check your location every few minutes and adjust the next track based on that.
 
ruinfx said:
even when t-mobiles 3G becomes available it will simply not work with the iphone 3G because it uses different bands. only place to use 3G on the new iphone is att.
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I believe that's incorrect - the iPhone supports the 2100mhz band which t-mobile uses
 
soundtrack

raggedjimmi said:
A shame about the camera but I really do love the sound of Geotagging.

A couple of years ago whilst at university I made a playlist that I would start playing when I got the bus. I had it timed perfectly so it would play Manchester music whilst in the city and then onto music from my nearby town. It sounds like a GPS iPhone would be able to do this so long as albums could have a GPS location too.

A "Play music from here" mode that would check your location every few minutes and adjust the next track based on that.
Click to expand...

talk about a soundtrack for your life. thats awesome.
 
Doesn't cancellation of the contract after 30 days void your warranty on the phone? I recall that Apple wouldn't service your phone, unless you had a valid contract. Ridiculous, but true?
 
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