Comments on: Official referee with the whistle AT&T iPhone pricing, there will be a no contract price!

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:32:24 +0000

What pisses me off about this whole eligibility thing is that late last year, many AT&T customers had to upgrade when AT&T shut down its CDMA network. I was still using a CDMA phone, so had the choice of upgrading, leaving AT&T, or losing my service.

Unfortunately, it put me on a new contract — meaning I wasn’t eligible for a phone now, when I want to upgrade by my choice, rather than AT&T’s choice, as happened last year.

Attempts to explain my thoughts on this, to an AT&T sales monkey, didn’t do a shred of good.

By: D

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:56:52 +0000

Employee’s at at&t have been told NOT to sell
the iphone unless it’s with a upgrade/new activation. So don’t plan on being able to buy one that day with out a contract.

By: michael

michael — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:54:49 +0000

I’m just glad that I don’t have to fork over $532 (thats with tax) for a new iPhone, I wasn’t originally going to get it until my little cousin decided it would be cool to toss it from my second floor landing in my home. I love her to death, but I mean c’mon!

By: MarkWThompson

MarkWThompson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:33:40 +0000

@ Anyone with good info…

I called AT&T…they said that if you are eligible for an upgrade (can check via their website), then it’s $199/$299. If not, other prices apply. (The rep said to take my receipt for my 1st gen iPhone with me and MAYBE it would help since I have one more month until I reach “official” upgrade availability status).

I then called the Apple store and they said that as far as they know the prices are $199/$299 — PERIOD. No other prices apply — they will be taking your SSN, Credit Card & existing cell #, but they, as of know now, will not be activating the phone in store. They said Apple has yet to push down any info whatsoever on this, other than what I just mentioned.

Anyone know the real deal?

By: Chorzoman

Chorzoman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:27:27 +0000

I’m on T-Mobile, so I’m going to take advantage of the cheap 1st Gen iPhones everyone’s unloading, unlock it, and use it on my crappy 2G network.

By: lcb133

lcb133 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:30:51 +0000

I love that so many of you “experts” have figured out a way to beat at&t and apple at the contract game. I’ll give you all some credit for being able to add together some imaginary numbers to beat the rumored no contract price, but do you really think that you’re going to be able to outwit at&t and apple. They’ve learned from their mistakes of the 2G iphone, and they’re back this time with a new design, you’re not going to win. Just switch to the superior at&t network and be done with it.

By: Pom

Pom — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:14:53 +0000

You can pay $175 cancellation and then the new activation price, instead of the no contract or the early adopter (a first, btw) price.

But you’ll lose your number! ETF is not just getting rid of the contract – it’s cancelling the line.

By: MarkWThompson

MarkWThompson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:50:37 +0000

@ Fone_Fanatic

I’m with you! I had my original iPhone for a month and then switched to a BB (HAD to have a contact search).

So, do I qualify for the $199/$299 price? I was on hold w/ AT&T for over an hour yesterday and finally gave up…

By: Xander

Xander — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:31:52 +0000

Sorry, but this is old news (the official AT&T release stating this was issued on the 1st of July).

-A telecom analyst

By: Fone_Fanatic

Fone_Fanatic — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:05:20 +0000

what if i bought an iphone on the day of release a year ago.. used it for 3 weeks, then junked it and cancelled the iphone plan on my contract… can i still get it for $199???

By: Fernando

Fernando — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:53:47 +0000

you guys are off on your fees assemennts, its:

$199 – iPhone
$70 – 1st month fee (cheapest iPhone plan)
$70 – second month fee (must be outa first month to cancel without returning handset, and the second month is rounded up)
$36 – Activation fee
&175 – Termination fee
=
$550 – Total price

so you can save around $50 (give or take on taxes where you live) buy going through the who sign up process and canncellation and stuff, or just pay the extra $50 and be done with it.

By: mitchL

mitchL — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:37:25 +0000

Yay! Awesome so people who rely on commissions to get by now can get ripped off by those who think they are beating the man. Instead they are only screwing the little guy.

By: Marty Mar

Marty Mar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:38:41 +0000

lol, ya’ll selling BG mad short. he knew this was old news when it was posted. he was drawing out the haters so when the giveaway comes up he knows “who his friends are”.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:34:47 +0000

Just out of curiosity, why would anyone want to unlock this phone? It’s available all over the world and t-mobile USA doesn’t support it’s 3G bands. I can understand if you’re on a rural carrier with 3G but otherwise why waste you time?

By: Markis

Markis — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:32:42 +0000

this phone is crushed if you go http://www.crackberry.com and see those real media screenshots of the thunder, thx!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:32:27 +0000

@blah

Don’t forget the activation fee and the first months service. If you cancel within the first month you are required to return the product and are not charged the termination fee.

By: T

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:31:45 +0000

As an AT&T Employee, I can tell you that customers who cancel within 6 months of service are not just charged the 175ETF, AT&T also has the ability to charge “Equipment liquidation” charges..aka the difference in the price of the phone, usually 1-200$, so in the end it may end up costing more.

By: lcb133

lcb133 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:31:22 +0000

What’s the point of paying $699 for an iphone 3G to use on tmobile’s 2G network. With a software update, the 2G would be the same thing, and you’ll probably be able to pick one up for next to nothing.

By: bueller85

bueller85 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:26:56 +0000

If I bought my 8GB iPhone on July 24th 2007 (before July 11th), but my online AT&T account access says that I am eligible for an upgrade will I be eligible for the discounted pricing? I am unclear if the upgrade pricing eligibility is for those who purchased before July 11th 2007 or 2008…Any thoughts?

By: Ominx

Ominx — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:06:24 +0000

No it’s still $175 (In the fine print).

PDF LINK: http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/en/iReady_checklist.pdf

By: blah

blah — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:59:42 +0000

I wonder if AT&T will raise the Early Termination Fee on the iPhone 3G?

What’s to stop someone from buying the $299 16G version, and then canceling the contract for $175 ETF? That makes it $474 versus $699 for the same device.

Too bad that even if you do that, it can only be used on AT&T’s 3G network since T-Mobile uses a different 3G frequency band. (guess it’ll work in non-USA countries though)

By: GIAN R

GIAN R — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:30:14 +0000

@haters & flamers

BOO YOU WHORES! Selfish, thoughtless arrogant bastards.

For some viewers, this is THE ONLY PLACE THEY GET THERE INFORMATION. Understand???

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:12:49 +0000

199 iPhone
36 Activation Fee
175 Termination Fee
45 First month service plus tax
=
appx $455

Might work if you’re desparate for non-compatible 3g t-mobile for you’re new 3g iPhone

By: ralph

ralph — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:37:32 +0000

@ ND

If you buy 199 iphone and cancel within 30 days, you cannot do so without returning the iphone. After 30 days…you can! but you face paying the ETF which is currently 175.00 and you pay one months service which is the iphone and data service and prorated fees on top of that sales tax in your repective state.

even after some simple math, canceling may be cheaper…but not as cheap as just 199+175= 374

By: steverindy

steverindy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:20:07 +0000

So wouldn’t it be cheaper to buy the iphone for $199 with a contract then turn around and pay the $175 cancellation fee?! That’s only $375 versus $599!…Get the word out and let the unlocking begin!

By: iBaldEagle

iBaldEagle — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:13:30 +0000

Even if this is old news, I for one haven’t heard it till now. Second, who the fuck cares if it is old? Some people don’t have time to sit & read every blog on the interweb.

By: rhd808

rhd808 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:59:01 +0000

yes you will be eligible because you probably paid $500.00 for it.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:57:56 +0000

@ the people saying this is old news…

We get the point! BGR has even admitted to it, so lay off the useless posting.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:35:03 +0000

This info is way old news.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:14:26 +0000

What does that mean before July 11th? Does that mean anybody that bought an IPhone last year is eligible for the $199 & $299 price?