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What happens to my old iPhone if I get an upgrade to 3G

I

infosprt

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 29, 2007
237
0
Temecula, CA
I was wondering what functionality my old iPhone will have if I upgrade to the 3G model. I will keep the same phone number with the new 3G iPhone.

Will the old one still work, e.g. its functionality be the same as the iPod touch for example (with the addition of a camera and speakers)? Will I be able to sync it? Or, will it become a brick?

Thanks,
 
Thank you for the quick responses.

Search? I did do a quick scan of the new posts and didn't see one related. Besides what search term would you use for something like this that would give you results. I just tried "3G Upgrade" and got a bewildering set of possibilities. Sometimes asking anew is much quicker.

Thanks again.
 
infosprt said:
I was wondering what functionality my old iPhone will have if I upgrade to the 3G model. I will keep the same phone number with the new 3G iPhone.

Will the old one still work, e.g. its functionality be the same as the iPod touch for example (with the addition of a camera and speakers)? Will I be able to sync it? Or, will it become a brick?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

It's theoretically supposed to be deactivated, but if you jailbreak and unlock it you will have full functionality regardless of what at&t does on their end.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Obvious lies. You can switch sim cards out of both first gen and 3G and it will work without issues.
Click to expand...

It's not a lie.

As per AppleInsider:

"AT&T says original iPhones can be deactivated and used as WiFi iPods

By Slash Lane
Published: 08:00 AM EST

AppleInsider reader poll:
What do you plan to do with your old iPhone?
Give it to a family member
Give it to a friend
Sell it to offset iPhone 3G cost
Keep it as a WiFi iPod
Smash it and post a video of the smashing online
Original iPhone owners who prefer not to give away or sell their old iPhones after upgrading to an iPhone 3G can instead keep their devices and use them as WiFi-enabled iPods, AT&T has confirmed.

The exclusive US provider for the Apple handset issued a series of documents and videos this week instructing existing iPhone owners on the steps necessary to hand down their old phones to family members or friends after purchasing a new 3G model.

Although that's the route AT&T prefers, as it generates high margin service revenues for each additional iPhone on its network, it's not the only option owners have.

A spokesperson for the carrier confirmed to AppleInsider that neither AT&T nor Apple will prevent de-activated first-generation iPhones for serving as surrogate iPod touches.

"If the [original] device is not re-activated as a wireless phone after you’ve upgraded to iPhone 3G, it will still work as an iTunes player and can access Wi-Fi," the spokesperson said.

That means old iPhones can still surf the web, check email, and browse the mobile iTunes store when connected to WiFi. Additionally, they'll be able to function as a handheld gaming device and widescreen video iPod with calendar and photo functions.

It's recommended that owners who take this approach upgrade their original iPhones with iPhone Software v2.0 (which includes the App Store) on July 11th prior to de-activating the devices, as it's unclear whether upgrades to non-active handsets will be possible."

Here is the link:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/07/02/att_says_original_iphones_can_be_inactivated_and_used_as_wifi_ipods.html

Keep in mind that this is for those doing it by the book. Once you upgrade your phone, your original phone is theoretically supposed to be deactivated.

Keep in mind that people who visit this site tend to be more tech savvy and will know how to circumvent the limitations.
 
What you are suggesting is that Apple will remotely disable your phone from future Phone function if you stop AT&T subscription.

First gen as well as 3G will work without sim cards, period. With or without any technical background.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
What you are suggesting is that Apple will remotely disable your phone from future Phone function if you stop AT&T subscription.

First gen as well as 3G will work without sim cards, period. With or without any technical background.
Click to expand...

That's not what I'm suggesting.

How can you place a call without a sim card? As a matter of fact, you don't even have to answer. I don't want to debate this. You win. :)
 
You could unlock it and sell it. I'm pretty sure there is still a big market for unlocked 1st gen phones since people don't want to be locked to AT&T, don't want expensive plans, etc;
 
Tenorsaw said:
That's not what I'm suggesting.

How can you place a call without a sim card? As a matter of fact, you don't even have to answer. I don't want to debate this. You win. :)
Click to expand...
Hey man, just trying to get the right info out there.
 
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