iPhone 3GS Launch Day Details and AT&T Pricing

[scootaru]

To those not eligible to upgrade now...

Would any of you agree to a 2-year contract extension on day 1, but extended from the day you are eligible? So if you aren't eligible until 03/10, you would get the phone now and extend your contract to 03/12.

I would probably do this if it was available. I'm not so sure if I'll be upgrading in March, though, because I will probably wait the few months for the new iPhone.

AT&T should be thinking about keeping existing customers seeing as their exclusivity may be up in a year.

 

[kas23]

No this does not make you eligible whatsoever!! Your personal plan must be over $100. Family plans do not count.

Not entirely true. Someone in the family plan has to be paying more than $100 for their plan - look at the bill. It will tell you what each person pays. For example, my wife and I have a family plan for $129.99 + another $30 for one data plan + 200 text messages each (=$169.99). So, the break down is this; I pay $9.99 for the line + $30 data plan + $5 SMS (=$44.99). She pays $89.99 for line + $30 data plan + $5 SMS (=$124.99). So, she is eligible for 12 month upgrade, I am not.

 

[80s Fan]

Why is he tilting his head so much?

I wanted to say that earlier when I first saw it too. Does anyone thing that this video is ripe for parody, to be played by Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen? Not trying to be mean as this video is very informative, it's just this is all I could think as I was watching it. And it stinks that those of use who bought the first iPhone and the 3G can not get this one without shelling out $400

 

[aeaglex07]

That is what AT&T employees do. They just don't understand that people want MMS and tethering so they tilt their heads. Sort of like when dogs do when you make a puzzling sound.

LOL LOL

 

[bts169]

I'm really confused.. I never owned the original iPhone and I bought the 3G a few days after release, and my bill is under $100. The Apple Store website says I'm eligible for the $199/$299 pricing immediately. Not complaining, but I wonder why this is the case.

 

[coolpal]

If that is the case I am going to be COMPLETELY pissed! The subsidizing I get, but this would be complete ******** since I have been paying that same dual-phone plan price to them for WELL over 2 years now and never upgraded that 2G iPhone. Damn greedy pigs.

I don't think your other line will have a two year commitment from the day you upgrade your phone.... it's just the plan maybe... but the other line itself will be upgrade eligible and will be out of contract once it passes the original 24 months.
But if you want to cancel the other line after it is out of contract, You can no longer have the family plan (assuming you only had 2 lines in the FT plan), and changing your plan to an individual plan would proably reset your contract on your line the day you convert your plan.

pal

 

[rteichman]

As an AT&T customer who purchased both the first generation and 3G iPhone, I can understand the frustration of current customers who cannot immediately upgrade at the subsidized price. However, be objective for a second and think about this.

1) You signed a two year contract with AT&T. The contract doesn't say, "this is for two years unless a new iPhone comes out." You're bound to that contract.

2) AT&T subsidized the cost of your iPhone 3G. This means that it costs them money to sell you an iPhone 3g. They lock you in for two years to recoup that money that they LOST by selling you an iPhone. If they subsidized another expensive phone before the two years is up, they would lose money yet again AND if they had you sign another two year deal from right now, they would lose out on one year of monthly service charges.

I understand the frustration with AT&T but stop acting like they are screwing people over.

Point of fact, you are eligible for ANY OTHER phone at a subsidized fee, just not the iPhone. THAT is what is wrong. For example, I could screw AT&T (and yes myself) by getting a subsidized phone to replace my 3G. Now that would be a good one. AT&T pays me to lower my bill by $30 per month (dropping the AT&T data plan).

 

[teemast]

Monthly Bill Amount Has Nothing to Do With Upgrade Eligibility Dates

Our family plan with unlimited texting is well over $200 per month and we still have differing upgrade eligibility according to ATT...my wife in July, me in December...even though we both got our 3G phones on launch day July '08...and even though I am the primary account holder.

If you're looking for reasoning and common sense, check the dictionary.

 

[exodar]

I'm really confused.. I never owned the original iPhone and I bought the 3G a few days after release, and my bill is under $100. The Apple Store website says I'm eligible for the $199/$299 pricing immediately. Not complaining, but I wonder why this is the case.

ARE YOU SERIOUS! What the hell is going on with this pricing! They need to figure this **** out.

 

[diabolic]

Not true. My bill is over $175 a month and I am not eligible till Jan 2010

Do you have a family plan? I don't think it applies to family plans.

From AT&T:

Certain AT&T customers may be eligible for a cell phone upgrade even if they have been in their current plan for less than two years (24 months), if they commit to a new 2-year contract and meet these eligibility requirements:

* Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing at least $68.99 a month but no more than $98.99 a month, and who has been in contract (and not had a phone upgrade) for 21 months or more,
or
* Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing $99 a month or more, and who has been in contract (and not upgraded) in the last 12 months.

 

[caligurl]

something they could do: offer 2 price points... the cheapest for a 2 year contract and a bit more for a 1 year....

when we upgraded 2 years ago (not an iphone) they offered this and we foolishly chose the 2 year option, cheapest price for the phone we got... we could have paid more for the phone and only gotten a year contract (and it was still waaaay below non upgrade elible pricing!)

they could do that ESPECIALLY with the iphone... that way people could chose cheapest or cheaper and still get their new iphone every year!

 

[caligurl]

Anyone know if we will be able to purchase at Best Buy on launch day? I'd like to buy from them b/c I am a rewards zone member.

i was wondering this too.... (ended up preordering on apple but if i find out 100% that best buy will have them.... i may cancel my preorder so that i can get RZ points!)

 

[uaecasher]

hey guys, in the video it says there is a non-contract pricing but I can't find it, anyone know here can i per-order non-contact?

thanks

 

[coolpal]

I'm really confused.. I never owned the original iPhone and I bought the 3G a few days after release, and my bill is under $100. The Apple Store website says I'm eligible for the $199/$299 pricing immediately. Not complaining, but I wonder why this is the case.

Are you part of your company's FAN (Foundation Acct)? If so, then att probably had a special deal with your company and you never have a commitment maybe?

pal

 

[teemast]

ATT Tilty Head You Tube Vid Guy

in the uncensored version of this tape the guy gets carted off by security guards at the end...

my guess is he's not an ATT employee at all

why post on you tube and not on your own site?

 

[avediswolf]

AGREED!

If Verizon were to get the iPhone, they would cripple half the features in it, and put on their ugly Verizon GUI.

 

[Shiner]

Our family plan with unlimited texting is well over $200 per month and we still have differing upgrade eligibility according to ATT...my wife in July, me in December...even though we both got our 3G phones on launch day July '08...and even though I am the primary account holder.

If you're looking for reasoning and common sense, check the dictionary.

Well calm down but maybe you need to check the earlier posts and read a little better.

The personal plan must be over $100 dollars. Whomever is primary on your plan will be eligible after 12 months. Family plans are not many individual plans they are tied to one phone that is the primary.

 

[archer75]

Nope, I have been with AT&T since 1997, purchased both gen 1 & 3g iPhones on launch day, have never been late on my payments, and have dutifully paid these shmucks $83 every month. My upgrade date for being such a "valuable customer" is March 2010!
They can suck my cojones.

Standard upgrade policies. This applies to ANY carrier. You sign contracts with all of them if you want a subsidized phone. And you wait whatever the designated period is(usually end of contract, but not always) before you can get another discounted phone.

This is nothing new. It's always been that way no matter who you go with.

 

[coolpal]

hey guys, in the video it says there is a non-contract pricing but I can't find it, anyone know here can i per-order non-contact?

thanks

I don't think they let your pre-order without commitment... but guys calm down.. it's not like they are going to run out of stock or anything. But if it is absolutely necessary that your have it on the first day and the first thing in the morning on 19th... just ignore my post

pal

 

[abgould]

Do you think Apple and/or AT&T might change the pricing so current 3G owners might be able to upgrade now with the subsidzed pricing due to bad PR?

 

[teemast]

Well calm down but maybe you need to check the earlier posts and read a little better.

The personal plan must be over $100 dollars. Whoever is primary on your plan will be eligible after 12 months. Family plans are not many individual plans they are tied to one phone that is the primary.

I am primary on our family plan...and yet...my upgrade date -- according to ATT website -- is December, my wife's is July. Unless you ask the ATT CSR guy...who says my upgrade date is March 2010 even though the ATT website says December. ATT CSR also says my wife is primary account holder even though ATT website clearly says that I am. Go figure.

 

[ipoddin]

After a brief chat with AT&T, it seems as though they're doing the following:

- if you owned a 1st Gen and are upgrading to a 3Gs you qualify immediately
- if you owned a 3G and are upgrading to a 3Gs you will qualify 18 months after your 3G purchase (hence a lot of January 2010 dates)
- if you owned a 1st Gen AND a 3G, you will qualify 12 months after your 3G purchase (hence a lot of July ~13 dates)

This is very poorly communicated but looks to be the situation, which is a tiny bit better than I thought it was last night as they're not totally hosing their most loyal customers.

Can anyone else confirm?

a

I owned a 1st Gen, upgraded to 3G on launch and still says I don't qualify until December 09.

 

[aneftp]

Do not follow this persons advice. The contract must be for over $100 for at LEAST 12 months! So if you start now you will be eligible in June of next year. Believe me, I followed people's idiotic advice on this forum before.

Sorta correct.

ATT allows people whose (PRIMARY line is over $99) to upgrade every 12 months in a 24 month contract.

The other lines that are attached to the primary line (lines 2-5) maybe be eligible for 18-21 months.

It also depends on the length of time you have been with ATT/Cingular. You do not necessarily have to have $99 and higher primary line cost for 12 months. I got the 12 month upgrade even though I was averaging $99 for only the last 3 months.

 

[TheOrioles33]

I just pre-ordered off AT&T's site this morning. Ordered 2 - 32GB's to replace my 2 current iPhones. $499 each.

Not sure what the 1 per household is all about or the deal with picking it up. They let me order 2 and its next day shipping right to my house. At least thats what it is at this moment. It could change!

 

[mattster16]

AHHH so I was playing around on Apple's site and went through the pre-order process. I never did get to the last step of it though because I just wanted to look at what options it gave for plans, etc. All of a sudden I get an email thanking me for starting my iPhone purchase online and to come to the store to finish and it is listing the plan options I 'chose' on the bottom.

Do I have to somehow cancel this? Is this just a formality or am I somehow legally bound to buy the phone now? I never actually confirmed anything..

I mean I actually am going to buy one, but I don't know whether I want the 16 or 32 and I don't remember which one I selected while playing with their preorder tool.