iPhone 3g list and subsidized price

[Mikey B]

Okay, why is someone with a Blackberry, who is six months into their contract not eligible for the $199 8GB iPhone price? And, what price are they eligible for if there is no other price? Are they denied a 3G iPhone?

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying AT&T has sent out conflicting terms for upgrading to the iPhone 3G. But if you can answer the above questions with 100% certainty, then you've shed some light on the subject for me.

Well, the way I see it, the iPhone is being marketed in the States as $199 with a new 2-yr. contract. There is no fine print anywhere that I see that states you have to be a new AT&T customer or eligible for an upgrade. There's no asterik with another price. They would be foolish to have $199 plastered everywhere if that cost doesn't apply to everyone. So, I do think that someone with a blackberry, 6 months into their contract, is able to get the 3G when they renew their contract. But that's just my speculation from all of the websites, forums, etc. that I've read. Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone. I don't think they would have been game for this new business model if a huge portion of their potential customer base wasn't able to get one.

I have seen reports that a yet-to-determined "full price" will have to be paid if you aren't upgrade-eligible. If this is the case, its going to be a PR/marketing nightmare for AT&T and Apple.

 

[hmfic]

One thing I don't understand is how is Apple supposed to know who is and who isn't eligible for the subsidy. They don't have access to at&t's databases. I'm guessing they'll be using iTunes to activate the phones like the people who don't get them unbricked in store.

Just a thought though if that's true it does make the whole there is no unsubsidized price theory make sense.

 

[CrazEtooN]

I was prepared to pay $400-$500 originally, so that isn't a problem to me. If it is over $500, it will be a different story.

My problem rests in the fact that I am still required to renew my contract despite paying the "non-eligible" price. If I go buy a $550 At&t Tilt tomorrow, I can swap my SIM, change my data plan, and be done with it. No contract renewal. Why can't I do the same thing if I am paying roughly the same for the iPhone?

 

[skwoytek]

Well, the way I see it, the iPhone is being marketed in the States as $199 with a new 2-yr. contract. There is no fine print anywhere that I see that states you have to be a new AT&T customer or eligible for an upgrade. There's no asterik with another price.

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They would be foolish to have $199 plastered everywhere if that cost doesn't apply to everyone.

I completely agree!

 

[Mikey B]

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I completely agree!

stupid asteriks

I guess I just had faith that Apple & ATT weren't stupid enough to get the $199 price point in everyone's mind only to say, just kidding...

 

[Sweetbike40]

This guessing is really getting crazy. It's driving me nuts. I wish AT&T would just finalize it already. It's not like they didn't know this phone was coming. Steve specifically said that the iPhone will not be more than $199. He never said to new customers or anything like that. It was clear that it was for everyone. What in the world is going on with AT&T? None of their staff is educated. If the pricing/qualifications are still in discussion, then the reps should simply say that. Done.