Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What if I buy an iPhone 3G S now?
- Thread starter Boesky
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Most likely not. You sign a contract. The 3G was upgradable because the first generation was not subsidized. AT&T caved in a tad to complaints with the 3GS, but you are somewhat out of the range of the complaints.
Well, you would have to likely pay more then those like me, who will have expiring contracts. It's extremely hard to say, AT&T threw two curveballs with the iPhone 3GS. First, the lack of unsubsidized pricing and then later by offering some sort of early upgrade option, both were relatively unexpected.
AT&T (if they are still around as Apple's EXCLUSIVE partner) will subsidize the iPhone for those within 6-8 months of their current contract expiring. It's another year and a half of contract and MONTHLY fees v. losing them to T-Mobile or others.....
Hmm interesting question...
Apple wants crazy figures when their new iPhone is announced. And they also seem to have very powerful influence.
But it is a gamble either way.
Apple wants crazy figures when their new iPhone is announced. And they also seem to have very powerful influence.
But it is a gamble either way.
If you don't mind selling your 3G S when the new one comes out and you use that money towards the new phone then the amount you pay might be close enough to the subsidized for you to consider (probably more expensive though). I've never done this so maybe someone who sold their 3G to buy a 3G S could comment.
It all depends on how much effort you're willing to put in to get the latest device, everybody is different.
It all depends on how much effort you're willing to put in to get the latest device, everybody is different.
It's a year from now...A lot can happen in a year...Get the phone or keep waiting..Because when they release one next year...You'll be worried about the next one...
Get it now if you want it and see what happens next summer. At that time, your phone should still do everything that it originally did. Then you can see what at&t will do about current owners and whether you qualify for subsidized pricing. Then you will be able to decide if it is worth upgrading to.
wow, I'm on rogers, and it's crazy how much you guys get rapped by AT&T,
I was eligible to upgrade to 3gs from 3g, all I had to do was extend my contract to 3 years...
tethering is free if you have more than 2GB of data per month, MMS and all that stuff works fine too..
and also, any problems with the iphone, you call rogers, and they help you through there..and if it doesn't help, they just send you a refurbished phone and you send yours back..
I was eligible to upgrade to 3gs from 3g, all I had to do was extend my contract to 3 years...
tethering is free if you have more than 2GB of data per month, MMS and all that stuff works fine too..
and also, any problems with the iphone, you call rogers, and they help you through there..and if it doesn't help, they just send you a refurbished phone and you send yours back..
I upgraded in June, and am eligible in June 2010 for an upgrade again if Apple and AT&T follow the last two years upgrade model.
From AT&T Upgrade Status Page for me:
You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing at a participating retail sales location. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 06/26/2010
From AT&T Upgrade Status Page for me:
You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing at a participating retail sales location. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 06/26/2010