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iPhone Coming to U.S. Prepaid Carrier Cricket on June 22
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The phone will be $499, $150 off what the Apple Store sells for an unlocked phone, but will it be unlocked? Likely not.
iPhone has become the budget phone...it is no longer "cool" to have an iPhone. I really wish the exclusivity of iPhone still existed, but it doesn't. This is whack.Great! Now people will be able to buy an iPhone at 7-11!
I agree. T-Mobile has however stated that the reason for no official iPhone is that the network doesn't currently support 3G and 4G signals for the iPhone and that they are upgrading so by 2013 it will support it.
Of course the T-Mobile USA CEO also stated that he doesn't see a real need to carry and subsidize the iPhone but wants to make the network available for those who buy iPhones elsewhere or have one and are switching to T-Mobile.
But it's frustrating because I'd like to be able to go into T-Mobile and buy an iPhone that's fully supported and subsidized. T-Mobile will get left behind if they don't sell the iPhone once the network is ready.
I've been with T-Mobile for nearly 9 years but I may go to Sprint when my contracts are up.
Cricket's offered some weekly plans that border on outrageous, at times, but convenience costs money. OTOH, they (at least used to) offer $25 a month unlimited Paygo plan, and $35 for unlimited with call waiting. If you're working class enough to not qualify for the free cell phone plans but want to keep that $50 a month to feed yourself or your kids, it's a good deal.
When the kids started staying at homeschool co-ops, we got them Cricket lines, and then we switched Milady from her $70 Verizon plan to a $35 a month Paygo plan. Eventually, we switched the kids to T-Mobile's $15 unlimited texting plan (they just don't do calls), but Milady still loves her plan.
When I took the new job, I switched my personal line from T-Mobile by the minute (work didn't pay for it) to the same $35 a month Paygo plan. I never could justify $80 a month for exact the same service.
I am sorely tempted to put my money down on this one, especially if they let people use the $55 Paygo plan with it.
Now this is REAL interesting.
Based on the quoted plan specifics and pricing this would nearly half what I'm paying with AT&T.
Even if there's a network performance difference the fact that I wouldn't have to be on contact as well makes that (HUGE) saving all the more tempting.
Wait and see. The game keeps changing.
Based on the quoted plan specifics and pricing this would nearly half what I'm paying with AT&T.
Even if there's a network performance difference the fact that I wouldn't have to be on contact as well makes that (HUGE) saving all the more tempting.
Wait and see. The game keeps changing.
iPhone is now going to be the "free" phone!! Cricket??? Why not add Virgin Mobile, US Cellular and GoPhone while you're at it!!
This is classic! A once revered and admired product has now become the K-Mart of cell phones. This is really unreal...very hard to believe.
This is classic! A once revered and admired product has now become the K-Mart of cell phones. This is really unreal...very hard to believe.
You do not need to unlock an AT&T handset to work with the Straight Talk SIM card. I'm using a factory unlocked iPhone 4S on Straight Talk, but it's not a requirement. However, if I go overseas, I can pop in a local carrier's SIM without issue.
Straight Talk is an MVNO that purchases wholesale access from AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint. They sell AT&T compatible SIMs and T-Mobile compatible SIMs. In addition, they sell a number of handsets run on the AT&T and Sprint networks if you don't want to bring your own device.
Here's my cost analysis that I just did on another site:
Straight Talk "Bring Your Own Phone" SIM card, $45/month no-contract. Unlimited talk, unlimited text, and "unlimited" data (which anecdotally has a soft cap around 2GB followed by an allegedly "you're a data hog" message). Just buy the unlocked retail iPhone 4S at Apple.com for $649 plus the one-time $15 for the SIM card. Your phone will be connecting to AT&T's cellular towers. If you're in an area with HSPA+, you'll have the faster connection. Total cost of ownership over 24 months: $1744
By contrast, here how Cricket breaks down. Partially subsidized handset $500 and $55/month no contract. Total cost of ownership over 24 months: $1820.
And good ol' AT&T? Subsidized handset $199, $36 activation fee, $120/month on a 2-year contract (unlimited talk $70, unlimited text $20, 3GB data $30). Total cost of ownership over 24 months: $3115.
Monthly cost of ownership (over 24 months):
Straight Talk: $72.67
Cricket: $75.83
AT&T: $129.79
You can knock off a couple of bucks a month from Straight Talk if you prepay for several months of service in advance.
Another benefit: the Straight Talk micro SIM works fine in an iPad if you need cellular data in a pinch.
Exactly -- why not? I think they should.
And yet, so far we haven't seen anything to suggest that Apple has sacrificed one iota of their margins on any of the phones they sell through these other carriers.
Let's see... Apple sells more units, while still maintaining the same relatively high margins. It's win-win for Apple's bottom line and shareholders.
TMobile and the IPhone
One reason Tmobile probably doesn't have the IPhone yet, and may not get it (officially anyway):
Duetche Telekom (Pardon the spelling) is their parent company, and they've made Zero secret of the fact that they are doing whatever possible to dump TMobile, whether it be sale, merger, or hell at this point I'm willing to bet yardsale...
I don't remember the exact terms, but didn't Sprint have to commit to purchasing an ungodly amount of IPhones in the next 5 years? My guess is Apple would want a commitment like that from TM as well, but at the same time, would you trust that TM could in good faith commit to something like that? TM could promise Apple the world, and if I were Apple, I'd have to look at those commitments with extreme skepticism given TM's unknown and rocky future.
One reason Tmobile probably doesn't have the IPhone yet, and may not get it (officially anyway):
Duetche Telekom (Pardon the spelling) is their parent company, and they've made Zero secret of the fact that they are doing whatever possible to dump TMobile, whether it be sale, merger, or hell at this point I'm willing to bet yardsale...
I don't remember the exact terms, but didn't Sprint have to commit to purchasing an ungodly amount of IPhones in the next 5 years? My guess is Apple would want a commitment like that from TM as well, but at the same time, would you trust that TM could in good faith commit to something like that? TM could promise Apple the world, and if I were Apple, I'd have to look at those commitments with extreme skepticism given TM's unknown and rocky future.
Good in theory but check out their coverage. This phone is pretty much worthless if you travel anywhere.
I find it annoying when I have no service anywhere. Imagine this thing, you would be surprised when you HAD service.
Is that Cricket's coverage, or a map of the spread of the T-Cell virus? I swear I see Raccoon City on there....
Thanks for the info. In a world of iMessages and Facebook Messenger, I am not sure if unlimited text packages makes much sense, so making the comparisons only with those packages added is not all that informative. For example, I am currently paying $55 to AT&T, so switching to WalMart's plan does not make financial sense. I would save $10 a month and get more data and a lot more texting than I need, but I would lose my phone subsidy, so overall I would end up spending more.
Thanks for the info, it'll help. I bought an el cheapo To-mo nokia phone to try out the network in my area and was not impressed with the reception (partially because of the phone).
When the iPhone 5 is released there will be a ton of 4s models to buy on ebay and I'll snap one up.
Well, I'm only comparing currently available plans, not something that someone is grandfathered into (via contract, whatever).
I will note that on AT&T and Verizon, it's still more expensive even if you selected the smallest voice plan and dropped texting completely, yet retained 2-3GB of cellular data. The monthly service charge would still be $70. Along with the subsidized handset at $199 plus $36 activation fee, your monthly cost of ownership would be $79.79.
With Sprint, if you selected the smallest voice plan, you still get unlimited text and data at $80 per month. $199 subsidized handset plus $36 activation fee, your monthly cost of ownership would be $89.79 over two years.
Here's a more complete table:
Monthly cost of ownership (over 24 months):
Straight Talk: $72.67 (unlimited talk/text, 2GB data)
Cricket: $75.83 (unlimited talk/text, 2.3GB data)
Verizon: $79.79 (450 min. talk, 2GB data, no text plan)
AT&T: $79.79 (450 min. talk, 3GB data, no text plan)
Sprint: $89.79 (450 min. talk, unlimited text/data)
Sprint: $119.79 (unlimited talk/text/data)
Verizon: $129.79 (unlimited talk/text, 2GB data)
AT&T: $129.79 (unlimited talk/text, 3GB data)
I definitely wouldn't pay for a separate text plan, but since it's included in the Straight Talk service, I'm happy to use it. I'm a longtime Google Voice user, so I use that app for texting people.
Straight Talk wasn't even my top choice when I bought my iPhone 4S: it was my second choice. For the first six months, I used an AT&T GoPhone SIM with the $0.10/minute Pay As You Go service and data packages. My average monthly cellular charges were about $13. I had to switch to Straight Talk when AT&T discontinued the data packages from the GoPhone $0.10/minute plan about a month ago. Thus my personal monthly cost of ownership is projected to be $64.67 over two years.
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Thanks for the heads-up!
I had no idea the Straight Talk plans included BYOP plans for GSM phones.
If these plans will work with my (recently unlocked) 3GS then my son may be able to ditch his Virgin Mobile PAYGO plan, and I can upgrade to a 4S.
Happy Father's Day to me.
I had no idea the Straight Talk plans included BYOP plans for GSM phones.
If these plans will work with my (recently unlocked) 3GS then my son may be able to ditch his Virgin Mobile PAYGO plan, and I can upgrade to a 4S.
Happy Father's Day to me.
Good idea
I like this idea, I like my personal iPhone services but for those in another situation should be able to get these cool products. It's up to the consumer for their needs, not us. I read snob comments and good comments on the whole credit issue, which is a shame for the snobs. Us Apple geeks/tech geeks were always out to help those see the Apple light through the years. Now it seems some have gone the way of Windows.
No one is forcing anyone to buy anything and people should do their homework before a purchase. If Cricket isn't for you then you will pass on the service.
Honestly the thing that bothers me most is parents that buy their 10 year olds iPhones (typically 3Gs) so they can be cool, while the parents are still using outdated and half broken phones during these economic times, scene it first hand. Im just guessing on the year, say until 2005ish cell phones lasted. Thankfully I can still use my IPhone 3G if needed in a pinch, not all features but to get me by, at least Apple makes a solid phone.
I like this idea, I like my personal iPhone services but for those in another situation should be able to get these cool products. It's up to the consumer for their needs, not us. I read snob comments and good comments on the whole credit issue, which is a shame for the snobs. Us Apple geeks/tech geeks were always out to help those see the Apple light through the years. Now it seems some have gone the way of Windows.
No one is forcing anyone to buy anything and people should do their homework before a purchase. If Cricket isn't for you then you will pass on the service.
Honestly the thing that bothers me most is parents that buy their 10 year olds iPhones (typically 3Gs) so they can be cool, while the parents are still using outdated and half broken phones during these economic times, scene it first hand. Im just guessing on the year, say until 2005ish cell phones lasted. Thankfully I can still use my IPhone 3G if needed in a pinch, not all features but to get me by, at least Apple makes a solid phone.
Just my contribution
This is about "iPhone 5", the "New iPhone", or whatever Apple eventually calls it, and NOT about Cricket.
Apple typically does 1 year refresh on its iPhone/iPad/iPod lines, except for iPhone 4 which had a minor mid-cycle update for Verizon (and improve antenna issue), and the release of iPhone 4S a few months later in October.
There is strong indication Apple is going back to June release.
The first clues are increase of supposed iPhone / iPod Touch parts.
The most specific clue could be Cricket Communications offering iPhone on June 22.. That article states they will offer unlocked iPhone 4s and 4 for about $150 less then other outlets, and Apple does not even offer such discounts to its stores! Obviously this can be gamed by people going to Cricket and get an unlocked 4S for $499 and then switch to another carrier a month later.
That suggest instead this will happen becuase they are "old model" discounted phones, becuase that is exactly what Apple did to first the 3GS and then 4 when new models come out. (Note the estimate of a $150 drop instead of $100 in past. Will Apple sell new iPhone 5 for less?)
iOS 6 part of new iphone?
No.
Sometimes one can't get the software and hardware ready at the same time.
Sales wise, June is better becuase off holiday sales are lower, and the supply would not be as constrained if launched as beginning of holiday season.
June 22 is almost exactly 2 years (369 days) since the introduction of the AT&T iPhone 4. It could still be a few days before or after the day, maybe June 24, but with June 22 being Tuesday, sounds about right.
This is about "iPhone 5", the "New iPhone", or whatever Apple eventually calls it, and NOT about Cricket.
Apple typically does 1 year refresh on its iPhone/iPad/iPod lines, except for iPhone 4 which had a minor mid-cycle update for Verizon (and improve antenna issue), and the release of iPhone 4S a few months later in October.
There is strong indication Apple is going back to June release.
The first clues are increase of supposed iPhone / iPod Touch parts.
The most specific clue could be Cricket Communications offering iPhone on June 22.. That article states they will offer unlocked iPhone 4s and 4 for about $150 less then other outlets, and Apple does not even offer such discounts to its stores! Obviously this can be gamed by people going to Cricket and get an unlocked 4S for $499 and then switch to another carrier a month later.
That suggest instead this will happen becuase they are "old model" discounted phones, becuase that is exactly what Apple did to first the 3GS and then 4 when new models come out. (Note the estimate of a $150 drop instead of $100 in past. Will Apple sell new iPhone 5 for less?)
iOS 6 part of new iphone?
No.
Sometimes one can't get the software and hardware ready at the same time.
Sales wise, June is better becuase off holiday sales are lower, and the supply would not be as constrained if launched as beginning of holiday season.
June 22 is almost exactly 2 years (369 days) since the introduction of the AT&T iPhone 4. It could still be a few days before or after the day, maybe June 24, but with June 22 being Tuesday, sounds about right.
What's unreal and hard to believe is that some people think of technology as some sort of status symbol and have a need to flaunt it. It's a phone, not a bar of gold.