Will the iPhone 3G stick around at $99 for long?

[spaceballl]

I don't think it will...

Here's what I think...

- Apple has too many iPhone 3Gs laying around. They want to get rid of them
- It doesn't make sense for Apple to manufacture two phones at the same time
- Apple doesn't want to be locked into starting their pricing at $99 next year

So I'm thinking this will last until the new year, at the latest, and once all the phones are gone, they'll just have the 3G S available. What do you think? I wrote a quick post about it here for those who are interested.

Then again, I could be completely wrong and the $99 phone will sell like hotcakes, and Apple will just make sure they always have a product at that price.

 

[upsguy27]

I don't think it will...

Here's what I think...

- Apple has too many iPhone 3Gs laying around. They want to get rid of them
- It doesn't make sense for Apple to manufacture two phones at the same time
- Apple doesn't want to be locked into starting their pricing at $99 next year

So I'm thinking this will last until the new year, at the latest, and once all the phones are gone, they'll just have the 3G S available. What do you think? I wrote a quick post about it here for those who are interested.

Then again, I could be completely wrong and the $99 phone will sell like hotcakes, and Apple will just make sure they always have a product at that price.

I think Apple made the 3G $99 so they would have a 'base model', so they are opening the iPhone to the people who don't want to spend $200, which means more money for Apple. So no, I don't think they'll get rid of it, they'll either 1) Do the same thing next year, i.e. making the 16GB 3G S $99, or 2) Introduce a $99 iPhone 4G next year. But I don't think they'll get rid of that price point.

 

[capitanbuzo]

The only problem I have of Apple keeping an iPhone at the $99 price point is that I would think that most people buying at this price wouldn't want to pay the $30 a month that comes along with it. The consumer base that is willing to pay the $30 a month will probably just buy the 3Gs.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

The iPhone will someday sell for $0 subsidized (at least the low-end version).

 

[spaceballl]

The only problem I have of Apple keeping an iPhone at the $99 price point is that I would think that most people buying at this price wouldn't want to pay the $30 a month that comes along with it. The consumer base that is willing to pay the $30 a month will probably just buy the 3Gs.

I agree. If they want to "attack the low end," they need to do that with the monthly fees, not with $100 discount up front.

 

[coolwater]

Well, Apple and AT&T have taught us that they are more than willing to squeeze every dollar from their customers thanks to their monopoly over iPhone.

Majority of people who are willing to try $99 iPhone won't punch in all the numbers prior to signing the 2-year contract. It will be too late once they realize what they have gotten themselves into; they will be stuck with $30 data plan fee and $20 unlimited text msg fee every month for 2 full years.

And, I don't believe we will see free iPhone in near future or as long as AT&T has iPhone exclusivity. And, lowering the price of 16GB 3GS to $99 with in a year is highly unlikely as well. Why charge $99 when there are plenty of people who are willing (or have no choice but) to pay $199?

And, I seriously doubt APPLE will introduce 4G iPhone next summer, especially at current 3GS's prices. They will wait a little longer to maximize their profit on 3GS phones or they will increase the price.

 

[instaxgirl]

I agree. If they want to "attack the low end," they need to do that with the monthly fees, not with $100 discount up front.

Hmm, but as has been pointed out in other threads people are often short sighted. A $99 iPhone certainly sounds good. I certainly know several people who, when faced with a good upfront price, have simply signed the contract, only to realise about 6 months later that they don't need such a big contract, or that they'd rather be spending £25 a month less than they are.

 

[lord patton]

There probably are people dumb enough to buy the 99$ phone, but aside from stupidity, I can't think of a good reason to.

I mean, an extra 100 bones for (an extra) 8 GBs, autofocus camera and video capabilities... And extra horsepower under the hood. Who wouldn't take that? For less than 5% of the total cost of ownership?

Real cost savings will come from the data plan, but I'm not holding my breathe for AT&T to discount those.