iPhone 3G S Shipments to Arrive Early, Video of iPhone 3G S

[luv2hum]

i ordered mine on june 11th from apple.com and dont see where it says anything about prepared to ship, ready to ship, or tracking number. all it says is guaranteed by 19th. where is the shipping status info located on apple.com?
thanks

 

[duky]

I second that!!!!!! How can they forget about that?!

Gizmodo seems to have a 3GS but isn't able to say much about it yet. Hopefully soon they'll (as long as all of the other tech reviewers) release their review with all this loveliness that we actually want to see and hear and not some shoddy YouTube video showing iPhones with big red dots on them saying that the new screen is "noticeable"..

 

[trip1ex]

Early Termination fee is $175. $5 less for every month of the contract you've fulfilled.

ET Fee is $115 if you have completed 12 months of the contract.

Your cost for a new 3GS would be $115 plus $199.99 plus $35 activation fee or $340 for a new iPhone 3GS plus you would have to get a new phone number.

Perhaps you could transfer your phone number to a different cell service when canceling your current iPhone contract. Maybe to a pre-paid phone for a few days. Then transfer it back to ATT again when you buy a new 3GS.

 

[blu3]

You're joking, right?

It isn't that I disagree with you. I just think you should get over it.

You got a discounted price for a reason, and you (should've) understood the terms of your contract. Whether you were the first person to ever own an iPhone or the last person to buy one, matters not.

Pay full price for your new phone and move on.

I do understand the terms of the contract, and my argument is that as "upgrade eligibility" is not necessarily per the terms of the contract, AT&T should act in its best interest.

As much as I hate AT&T, I support them on this issue. They are not in the wrong. This is how they want to conduct business. It is their decision.

What would they gain by allowing early iPhone adopters to upgrade at a lower price? Nothing. These customers are already providing revenue from monthly subscriptions and giving them further subsidies (which is unfair to users of other phones btw) would lower their profitability. There is no benefit to them offering this.

This is how they want to conduct business, and it is their decision. Again, the argument is: consistent with the 'fuzziness' of "upgrade eligibility", AT&T ought to act in favor of resubscribing those that are early adopters of a unique device, the iPhone, and its hardware roadmap.

This is not "fair" or "unfair" for users of other phones, as this is all predicated on a unique, exclusive (and remarkable) device.

As for what they gain, it's certainly not as simple as the dollar difference between early upgrade and standard upgrade. My argument makes allowances for a change to the way in which the subsidy is handled, and/or the way in which Apple and AT&T share the 'burden' of the unsubsidized cost (which is clearly different than the retail cost of the hardware).

Wow, you registered just to post that garbage?

First off, you are not an early adopter. You waited for the 2nd revision of the phone, so you are not even close to an early adopter. Early adopter would be someone like myself, who sight unseen got an iPhone based on my belief that Apple would put out a great product because the previews and their history seemed to lead me to believe that was the case. I bought it the first week, and my 2 years is up.

You all think that you should get some special deal is absurd. AT&T and Apple are in this to make money. If you buy a phone subsidized, then you have to re-pay that committment. They can't let you just keep extending it as there is a max term fee. Otherwise people would just get like a 10 year committment and then terminate.

Stop crying and buy the phone if you want it now, otherwise wait. I don't love AT&T, but they are in this to make money, as any good company should be. Companies make money, people keep their jobs, we get the service we desire for the products we desire, etc.

Hello, Rob, and thank you for your kind words!

You do not know how my situation compares to yours. You do not know if I had a first-generation device, when/if I bought that first-generation device, and you apparently do not understand my argument.

I do not think that I, as a subset of "you all", should get a "special deal". I recognize that AT&T and Apple are each in business to make money. I recognize that the price of the device I purchased carries a 2-year service contract, and I recognize that any various times during that 2-year contract I will become "upgrade eligible". My argument is that AT&T, which already has a loose "upgrade eligibility" philosophy, ought to cater its particular business plan to the opportunity it has as the exclusive US carrier of the iPhone.

AT&T does not allow its customer to specify the commitment term, and your 10-year commitment is absurd. The iPhone 3Gs subscribers will face the same issue next year when Apple announces its next iteration of this fabulous device. It is better business for AT&T to address this now. I can afford to pay--it's not a matter of dollars. It's about what should be done.

I can't believe how many people think that they are entitled to getting an iPhone early at the full sub price. It's silly. Anytime you get a subsidized phone you sign a contract... it's the companies way of getting the money back for the phone they subsidized! If you were to put it on a one year contract the phone would probably be $500 and then people would complain about the price.

It's important to know that it actually does cost money to give you your cell phone service and pay staff and all that stuff and before you know it, who cares if you pay $240 a month for your service, it probably costs AT&T at least $175-200 to give you that service, and they probably only make $40 a month off of you. Obviously they aren't a charity and need to take some of that in as profit, and part of it in to pay for your subsidized phone.

Before anyone... yes ANYONE... thinks that they are special enough to get a full sub iPhone a year after their contract is nuts. I dunno if anyone here knows this but they are worth about 700-800 bucks (CAD) so of course companies are going to make you sign in for a long time to earn back the $500 discount they gave you on a phone.

Obviuosly I wish it was not this way and we could all get free iPhones and sing songs around campfires everynight and never have to work a day in our lives, but it's not like that.

It is time to move on past this conversation.

P.S. Of course I don't realize the tru profit numbers, so please don't post any replies about the inaccuracies of that area. It is the principal.

The problem with your post is that you try and establish your argument based on incredibly inaccurate numbers.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Go buy the iphone without a contract for its no contract price. Problem solved.

Sure, and that may be in my best interest, but that's not what AT&T should do for its business.

 

[casmith07]

I don't understand how this will happen(atleast to me).

UPS says my phone will arrive to me tomorrow(the 17th).

The last update was it departing Shenzhen, China yesterday at 3:30 PM.

There's no way it will make it to my door tomorrow.

Airplanes?

 

[themoemoth]

Yep just move to prepared for shipment ... my guess would be depending what region you are in is when your shipment gets ready ... I am in the NYC area

Yeah, I'm in NYC as well and have been "prepared for shipment" since Sunday. I called up the Apple Store today and played dumb to see if they could tell me anymore. Got one person who was a total numbnuts and told me it was SHIPPING on 6/19 and another who dismissed me right out and said that it was FedEx to get it here on time. Nice.

 

[Cartoonkid]

I do understand the terms of the contract, and my argument is that as "upgrade eligibility" is not necessarily per the terms of the contract, AT&T should act in its best interest.

This is how they want to conduct business, and it is their decision. Again, the argument is: consistent with the 'fuzziness' of "upgrade eligibility", AT&T ought to act in favor of resubscribing those that are early adopters of a unique device, the iPhone, and its hardware roadmap.

This is not "fair" or "unfair" for users of other phones, as this is all predicated on a unique, exclusive (and remarkable) device.

As for what they gain, it's certainly not as simple as the dollar difference between early upgrade and standard upgrade. My argument makes allowances for a change to the way in which the subsidy is handled, and/or the way in which Apple and AT&T share the 'burden' of the unsubsidized cost (which is clearly different than the retail cost of the hardware).

Hello, Rob, and thank you for your kind words!

You do not know how my situation compares to yours. You do not know if I had a first-generation device, when/if I bought that first-generation device, and you apparently do not understand my argument.

I do not think that I, as a subset of "you all", should get a "special deal". I recognize that AT&T and Apple are each in business to make money. I recognize that the price of the device I purchased carries a 2-year service contract, and I recognize that any various times during that 2-year contract I will become "upgrade eligible". My argument is that AT&T, which already has a loose "upgrade eligibility" philosophy, ought to cater its particular business plan to the opportunity it has as the exclusive US carrier of the iPhone.

AT&T does not allow its customer to specify the commitment term, and your 10-year commitment is absurd. The iPhone 3Gs subscribers will face the same issue next year when Apple announces its next iteration of this fabulous device. It is better business for AT&T to address this now. I can afford to pay--it's not a matter of dollars. It's about what should be done.

The problem with your post is that you try and establish your argument based on incredibly inaccurate numbers.

Sure, and that may be in my best interest, but that's not what AT&T should do for its business.

I think it's safe to say that everybody wants to get subsidized pricing and still have the flexibility to upgrade whenever we want.

3 words: AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!

So quit whining about it, already!

 

[Jamie 360]

Anyone know if signature will be required? I have taken Friday off from work to be home when it's delivered.... now I'm not sure!

Whenever I order from Apple.com they use FedEx, and I HAVE to be home--even if I put the Apple signature waiver form on my door they won't leave it.

 

[carence23]

I don't understand how this will happen(atleast to me).

UPS says my phone will arrive to me tomorrow(the 17th).

The last update was it departing Shenzhen, China yesterday at 3:30 PM.

There's no way it will make it to my door tomorrow.

Yes way it will make it! I ordered the 1st iPhone online when it came out on a Wednesday and it shipped from Shenzhen. I got it on Friday.

 

[swagi]

This again?

I registered specifically to address this line of thinking--as AT&T is 100% wrong.

AT&T should cater to its enthusiast base, and figure out how to adapt to that which is a unique opportunity: being the exclusive US carrier of the iPhone.

Apple is on record as saying the iPhone will be a "summer event". There is clearly room for interpretation as to exactly what this means, but I, and others, expect an annual hardware revision.

Show me another device with an expected annual refresh of its hardware.

I was in line the day the iPhone 3G was released and I discussed the upgrade issue at that time with others in line. I hoped that AT&T would figure it out in the coming months. AT&T did not.

Part of the problem is "upgrade eligibility". It is not defined. You may be eligible for an upgrade 12-24 months into your contract. There is ample speculation on the contributing factors: length of service with AT&T (and its previous incarnations); monthly service bill; family vs. individual plan; number of iPhones on a family plan; credit and/or bill pay history.

One factor OUGHT to be considered: early adopter.

I recognize that the contract I sign with AT&T is for the service it renders, and I am beholden to its service for the duration of the contract, else I face an early termination fee. As such, AT&T knows my monthly bill minimum, and has reason to believe that I will continue to pay per my current level of service. That subscription fee ($240/mo), and the fact that I am a current subscriber, is what is of value to AT&T.

If the subsidy needs to be reworked, then do it. If the price paid to Apple needs to be modified, then do it. But, as some first-day subscribers are eligible for an upgrade on July 12, 2009, it is ludicrous to deny a service resubscription to the most adamant followers of a device. "Upgrade eligibility" is already a loose term; flex it to allow upgrade pricing for early adopters.

Doing so would demonstrate AT&T's commitment to the Apple/AT&T relationship, and people would be happy. Happy subscribers, and subscriber retention, is far more important than a slight hardware subsidy.

AT&T looked poor after a fine WWDC. The opportunity was there, and AT&T did not deliver with MMS or tethering. Granted, the partnership is on rocky terms, and each side is attempting to wield whatever power it may have, but the result of the tension alienates the enthusiast. And that's bad business.

Don't get me wrong, but you really registered to post this? I mean, give me a break.

You signed the contract. You knew about the duration of the contractual binding (24 months). You could've gotten as many precious iPhones as you wanted without contract on eBay. Heck - nobody stops you from just bidding on a 3G S right now.

Why should AT&T care? You are on contract and you won't leave them with the next iPhone revision, as - tadaaa - it will still be limited to AT&T if you want official support.

Why should they offer a 12 month contract for you if they can also sell you a 24 month contract?

So you are putting up wrong arguments here - it would be in YOUR BEST INTEREST to have a hefty subsidised iPhone with a 12 month contract. To be honest, it would be in AT&T's best interest, if they only sold you the iPhone on 60-month contracts.

Real enthusiast don't give a damn about official support and get their iPhone off eBay anyway

 

[OriginalMasta]

stop posting contract related info in this thread, I had to sift thru all this arguing amongst you cheapo's regarding contract terms and agreements, it's getting annoying.

This thread has nothing to do with contracts - let's just stay on topic.

 

[casmith07]

Early Termination fee is $175. $5 less for every month of the contract you've fulfilled.

ET Fee is $115 if you have completed 12 months of the contract.

Your cost for a new 3GS would be $115 plus $199.99 plus $35 activation fee or $340 for a new iPhone 3GS plus you would have to get a new phone number.

Perhaps you could transfer your phone number to a different cell service when canceling your current iPhone contract. Maybe to a pre-paid phone for a few days. Then transfer it back to ATT again when you buy a new 3GS.

Or you could just pay $399 and buy the phone.

 

[TKEik683]

Anyone have any idea what this means? I havent seen anyone else mention it.

*im at work so a SS is somewhat painful*

SHENZHEN, CN
06/16/2009 9:37 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN CHEK LAP KOK,HK
06/16/2009 7:49 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN SHENZHEN, CN
06/16/2009 4:27 P.M. THE SERVICE SELECTED IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE DESTINATION ADDRESS / DOWNGRADED, FORWARDED TO CONSIGNEE, SELECTED SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE

06/16/2009 3:30 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN SHENZHEN, CN 06/15/2009 12:26 P.M. ORIGIN SCANCN
06/16/2009 1:09 A.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

Dave

 

[casmith07]

did anyone else think that the delivery dates/times were local to China? China is 12 hours ahead...so delivery on say, the 17th, would be the 18th over here.

Which makes sense, since all of the AT&T/Apple Stores need to have the phones by at least the 18th to distribute at 0700 Friday morning.

Just a thought. That would mean that potentially there would be a 1-day hold on all deliveries to ensure the launch day is 19 June.

Again, just a couple thoughts!

 

[justflie]

My 32GB Black is finally showing "prepared for shipment." It was ordered on 8 June at 3:25 PM Eastern.

 

[carrako]

My 32GB Black is finally showing "prepared for shipment." It was ordered on 8 June at 3:25 PM Eastern.

Mine just updated also Finally!

 

[themoemoth]

Prepared for Shipment...

is kind of an annoying phrase. Just sayin.

 

[casik]

Anyone from the states should just stop posting about "how bad they have it"

In Canada the contract is for 3 years, and the buyout is $20/month remianing for voice with a min of $100 and max of $400 and a $5/month remianing for data, min $25 max $100.

In a sense to buy out a term on an iPhone here if you are less than 1 year and 4 months into your contract the buyout is $500.

Also, in Canada you aren't allowed to buy out your contract and activate a new phone bc the sales reps won't do it. It is called "number flipping" and they loose big money on it here.

Anyways on a side note... it doesn't seem the differences are too huge with the new iPhone to actually make me want to pay out that big to get one... i'll be waiting for the next one.

 

[amann76]

I got an email from apple last week say there was some technical difficulties with the order process blah blah blah and they wanted to assure me that i would be getting my phone on the 19th. Checking my order form it does say "prepared to ship" but it also says it will not go out until the 19th and i won't get it until Monday. That delivery date has changed from the original date they game me but it still isn't the day they told me in the email.

 

[DELLsFan]

"The olephobic screen of the new iPhone is noticeable and does seem to make a difference with fingerprints."

Great. Too bad they didn't spread the oleo coating over the rest of the case ... the shiny gloss back is as much a fingerprint magnet as the screen.

 

[paulisme]

Who exactly is getting the iPhone early? Apple.com pre-orders? AT&T online pre-orders? AT&T B&M pre-orders? The MacRumors story just says "there are reports that..." with no sources. I'm wondering if it's just the echo chamber effect going on: someone says it on a forum, MacRumors writes an article about it, then people on the forum point to the article to prove that it's true.

 

[caligurl]

did anyone else think that the delivery dates/times were local to China? China is 12 hours ahead...so delivery on say, the 17th, would be the 18th over here.

Which makes sense, since all of the AT&T/Apple Stores need to have the phones by at least the 18th to distribute at 0700 Friday morning.

Just a thought. That would mean that potentially there would be a 1-day hold on all deliveries to ensure the launch day is 19 June.

Again, just a couple thoughts!

that's exactly what i was told by ups this morning.... although i have a delivery date of the 18th... i'll get it the 19th because it's all in china time....

 

[dwd3885]

that's exactly what i was told by ups this morning.... although i have a delivery date of the 18th... i'll get it the 19th because it's all in china time....

agreed. people need to just calm down. you'll get the phone by friday.

 

[dwd3885]

agreed. people need to just calm down. you'll get the phone by friday.

But also, I ordered my phone yesterday morning and it says, 'prepared for shipment'

 

[coolcom]

The shipments will probably be held in customs and be delayed 1-2 days.