What bothers you more?

[zub3qin]

What bothers me the most is people like you on these forums. You have never seen the iPhone 3g in person or held it, so how can you comment on the plastic back? This iPhone has more antennas and a GPS chip which need great reception, and everyone who HAS held the new iPhone says that it feels remarkably well built and made out of great materials. They say the plastic feels like very high quality.

Actually, I believe the exact quote was "The plastic back didn't feel too cheap."

Also, Apple only allowed 5-6 journalists access to the iPhone 3G for between 10 - 15 mins, all looking at it together, under careful watch by Apple employees, in a carefully controlled situation.

BBC, Engadget, Gizmodo, LaptopMag, & MacWorld were the lucky few.

I think we ALL should withhold judgement until someone actually plays with this thing-- fanboys and critics alike.

 

[Donz0r]

Actually, I believe the exact quote was "The plastic back didn't feel too cheap."

We'll see in a couple weeks. the plastic back was not a cost saving measure, it was for reception. the iPhone is Steve Jobs' baby, I really really doubt that this phone will feel high quality. Obviously nothing is as high quality as aluminum on a phone, but I'd gladly sacrifice that for terrific reception, and quick and accurate. GPS triangulation

 

[drchipinski]

What bothers me the most is people like you on these forums. You have never seen the iPhone 3g in person or held it, so how can you comment on the plastic back? This iPhone has more antennas and a GPS chip which need great reception, and everyone who HAS held the new iPhone says that it feels remarkably well built and made out of great materials. They say the plastic feels like very high quality.

Also, the price raise makes the iPhone the EXACT SAME PLAN PRICE AS ANY OTHER SMARTPHONE! The original iPhone got a DISCOUNT on the plan price because it was 600 dollars at first, and because it was only EDGE.

What bothers me about the new iphone is lack of stereo bluetooth and lack of horizontal keyboard, but I'll deal with it.

Umm... I have felt plastic before so I have some reference for that. As for the price being the same as any other 3G product, that may be true, but that is not what Apple did the first time, nor is the Iphone nearly as reliable with push email as a a blackberry.

If you do not like this thread...ignore it and move on.

 

[tsice19]

Everyone just needs to shut up with the whining.

About the cheapness: Wait until the thing is released and you've used it before you can say it is "cheap"

About the pricing: If you can't afford it, don't buy it!

 

[drchipinski]

We'll see in a couple weeks. the plastic back was not a cost saving measure, it was for reception. the iPhone is Steve Jobs' baby, I really really doubt that this phone will feel high quality. Obviously nothing is as high quality as aluminum on a phone, but I'd gladly sacrifice that for terrific reception, and quick and accurate. GPS triangulation

Wait a second, you blast me for saying I do not like the face that they changed the aluminum to plastic, then you post that the new phone will not be as high quality as the the 1st generation Iphone. Make up your mind.

 

[aristobrat]

As for the price being the same as any other 3G product, that may be true, but that is not what Apple did the first time

And the price of the iPhone 3G handset is subsidized down to $199, but that is not what Apple did the first time either.

You're not going to get a $300 subsidy on the phone AND a $360 discount via a special data plan.

 

[drchipinski]

Everyone just needs to shut up with the whining.

About the cheapness: Wait until the thing is released and you've used it before you can say it is "cheap"

About the pricing: If you can't afford it, don't buy it!

The pricing has nothing to do with affording it or not...I can afford it. I do not like being taken advantage of by ATT, and that is exactly what is happening with the lack of 3G coverage and the rate increase.

I am not whining...just stating my opinion and facts. Why do people post such uninformed replies?

"If you can't afford it don't buy it" Thanks...did you got to M.I.T. to learn that?

 

[drchipinski]

And the price of the iPhone 3G handset is subsidized down to $199, but that is not what Apple did the first time either.

You're not going to get a $300 subsidy on the phone AND a $360 discount via a special data plan.

I would rather pay $399 for the phone and keep the rates the same.

 

[aristobrat]

I would rather pay $599 for the phone and keep the rates the same.

Really?

Because a $599 iPhone and 24 months with the special $20 data plan would still cost you slightly more at the end of your contract than a $199 3G iPhone and 24 months with the regular data plan ($30 for data plus $5 for SMS a month).

$599 + ($20 x 24) = $1,079
$199 + ($35 x 24) = $1,039

 

[drchipinski]

Really?

Because a $599 iPhone and 24 months with the special $20 data plan would still cost you slightly more at the end of your contract than a $199 3G iPhone and 24 months with the regular data plan ($30 for data plus $5 for SMS a month).

$599 + ($20 x 24) = $1,079
$199 + ($35 x 24) = $1,039

Note edit.

At $399, I am saving $160

I will still get one....I am just not thrilled with playing games with ATT.

 

[arnette]

It bothers me that ATT's rates are so high for ANY phone with ANY plan. This is just now being highlighted on these forums since speculation of iphone 3G announcement.

 

[alphaod]

I would rather pay $399 for the phone and keep the rates the same.

I would rather pay $800 for the phone and not worry about a contract.

 

[TheFam]

What bothers me the most is people like you on these forums. You have never seen the iPhone 3g in person or held it, so how can you comment on the plastic back? This iPhone has more antennas and a GPS chip which need great reception, and everyone who HAS held the new iPhone says that it feels remarkably well built and made out of great materials. They say the plastic feels like very high quality.

Also, the price raise makes the iPhone the EXACT SAME PLAN PRICE AS ANY OTHER SMARTPHONE! The original iPhone got a DISCOUNT on the plan price because it was 600 dollars at first, and because it was only EDGE.

What bothers me about the new iphone is lack of stereo bluetooth and lack of horizontal keyboard, but I'll deal with it.

Agreed

 

[jmpmntwnty3]

I have to say that two things converged to cement my decision to get a v1 phone: 1. plastic back and 2. July 11th release.

I don't believe that the plastic will ever look as elegant as the aluminum case, and I didn't want to wait any longer to get an iPhone, certainly not another month. I also wanted to use Internet, etc while on vacation in early July, so July 11th didn't meet the cut.

Jude

If I'm not mistaken, you'll be able to trade that phone in for a 3G, if you want to.

 

[ntrigue]

I have to say that two things converged to cement my decision to get a v1 phone: 1. plastic back and 2. July 11th release.

I don't believe that the plastic will ever look as elegant as the aluminum case, and I didn't want to wait any longer to get an iPhone, certainly not another month. I also wanted to use Internet, etc while on vacation in early July, so July 11th didn't meet the cut.

Jude

I baby my iPhone and the elegant aluminum has dozens of small dents and scratches...

 

[alphaod]

And just go get an invisibleSHIELD and you won't care what the back feels like!

 

[nickspohn]

Keep in mind all other AT&T rate plans for 3G are $30...

 

[onlycopunk]

I really don't get how everyone is so furious over things they have no control over.

If a cell phone plan is too expensive, then don't get that plan. If a phone feels cheap to you, then buy another phone. Apple and ATT are not forcing ANYONE to purchase their phone. And with every product ever released, not everyone is going to have the same opinion about it.

If people are so up in arms over what they perceive the quality of the new phone to be, then stick with the old phone.

Upset over the STANDARD price of a 3G plan, don't pay for it!

Those aren't ridiculous answers either. Certainly no company can satisfy 100% of it's customers. And very rarely can a consumer have their cake and eat it too.

AT&T does have the power to charge whatever they want for their plans. And sure the price of the data plan is going to rise, but why not? People are still going to buy it.

You want a new iPhone, this is it. The quality of the phone is what you will have to live with and the price of the plans are what you will have to live with. Part of the beauty of their scheme is ATT doesn't have to be "competitive" or aggressive with pricing.

 

[UWSpindoctor]

Keep in mind all other AT&T rate plans for 3G are $30...

Actually it's all other ATT rate plans for smartphones are $30. Said smartphone does not have to be 3G.

 

[aristobrat]

I will still get one....I am just not thrilled with playing games with ATT.

IMO, the only game ever played was played by Apple, by insisting that the original iPhone not be carrier subsidized.

If they let AT&T sell it for a subsidized price using a normal AT&T smartphone data plan, none of this discussion would be taking place now.

People wouldn't be wigging out because the special iPhone $20 data/SMS plan doesn't apply to the new model.

People would not be confused about if they're eligible for a reduced cost upgrade to the next model only 12 months into their contract.

People would simply be complaining about the plastic backing.

 

[JML42691]

For me, the price bothers me more, although I preferred the aluminum backing much more than the plastic backing, if one were to keep the back of it looking good, then it wouldn't be as much of a problem. But the thing that irks me the most is the pricing, although it sounds like the pricing was more on the part of AT&T, Apple knew well in advance of the keynote (and probably worked with AT&T on developing it), and they still made a major point of the phone to be its lower pricing. But the other part is the lack of text messages along with a higher price. Maybe cut the texts but keep the price, but there should have been an option for the EDGE data plan or the 3G, Apple made a major point in their keynote as making the iPhone more affordable, but in fact, the entire device was not, AT&T easily could have made an option to only have the EDGE plan, especially with the point that the 3G data can be turned off on the phone, and this would have truly made the phone more affordable.

 

[NT1440]

IMO, the only game ever played was played by Apple, by insisting that the original iPhone not be carrier subsidized.

If they let AT&T sell it for a subsidized price using a normal AT&T smartphone data plan, none of this discussion would be taking place now.

People wouldn't be wigging out because the special iPhone $20 data/SMS plan doesn't apply to the new model.

People would not be confused about if they're eligible for a reduced cost upgrade to the next model only 12 months into their contract.

People would simply be complaining about the plastic backing.

yes im sure that you understand the business world in its entirety, the way apple chooses to operate with its partners, how AT&T operates with its partners, and every other legal issue that could potentialy be involved.

Apple did what it did before, and now its changed its business model, its not playing anyone, its simply exsisting in the business world.

 

[aristobrat]

Apple did what it did before, and now its changed its business model, its not playing anyone, its simply exsisting in the business world.

Thank you for restating my point.

Apple changes its business model (cause), AT&T readjusts prices on its end accordingly, using a model it's used for years (effect), and yet the majority of the complaints about pricing are directed towards AT&T.

I was specifically replying to drchipinski's comment about "playing games with AT&T."

If you wish that there was an option to buy a $399 iPhone 3G and a $20 data/MMS plan, then aim your ire at Apple for having changed the rules of the game.

My guess is that AT&T was quite happy with the old rules (where they lost a total of $360 in lost data/SMS income per iPhone customer over the 24 month contract) vs the new rules (where they lose $300 on day one of a persons contract when the person buys a subsidized $199 iPhone).

but there should have been an option for the EDGE data plan or the 3G

FWIW, I haven't seen a national carrier that charges more or less based on how fast your data speed is. 3G for smartphones is the same price as the slower data service.

If AT&T kept the $20 data plan as an option, then that's $15/month in lost income for them. Over a 24 month contract, that lost income totals to $360. Nothing wrong with that. They've been doing that for iPhone owners for the last year.

Here comes the problem. In addition to the $360 of lost income (which they've been swinging), they iPhone 3G is also losing them $325 in subsidy cost. They buy the iPhone 3G from Apple for $525 and sell it to you for $199 and eat the loss.

Do you think there's any business sense for AT&T to essential lose $685 (data income loss + subsidy) per iPhone sale when the loss (subsidy) for the sale of other smartphones is said to only cost them ~$200?

 

[Donz0r]

Umm... I have felt plastic before so I have some reference for that. As for the price being the same as any other 3G product, that may be true, but that is not what Apple did the first time, nor is the Iphone nearly as reliable with push email as a a blackberry.

If you do not like this thread...ignore it and move on.

I made a typo i meant to say "i doubt it won't feel high quality"

How the hell do you know about the reliabaility of the iPhone's push email support?!?

correct, it's not what they did the first time, and now the iPhone is 1/3 as much as it was the first time. quit bitching, everyone with a blackberry on ATT is paying the 30 bucks a month, regardless of whether or not it's 3G, and I don't think a blackberry even exists right now that is 3G. the iPhone is being priced and sold as a regular smartphone now that it has exchange support, etc. Deal with it, OMG it costs 160 bucks more over a span of 2 years, who cares? You're getting 3G and GPS. Bitc h and complain AFTER you have held it and used its push email, then you'll have a basis for your assertions.

 

[WhySoSerious]

To me, the price is fine. I can afford it.

What irks me is the CHEAP, CHEAP plastic back! God, what a down grade. Apple is going on the cheap-o for this version.

It's more like iphone 1.5 instead of 2.0

I've been trying to get a version 1 iphone for a week and NO luck. I really am not looking forward to the crappy plastic back. What a joke.