iPhone 3G on sale 8 a.m. July 11; no-contract iPhone on tap

Tue Jul 1, 2008 11:33AM EDT

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Looks like we'll have to get up bright and early to buy the new iPhone. Also, AT&T says a "no-commitment" iPhone is "coming soon."

First things first: The new iPhone 3G will go on sale at 8 a.m. next Friday at AT&T retail stores and Apple stores. So if you're planning on lining up, you'd better be ready well before sunrise.

Also, AT&T has finally clarified pricing for current AT&T subscribers who want the iPhone 3G.  

In a nutshell, if you're "upgrade eligible" (log into your AT&T account to see if you are), you'll be able to buy the new iPhone for the discounted price of $199 for the 8GB version or $299 for the 16GB model. (AT&T is somewhat vague about the eligibility criteria, although your credit history and the time remaining on your contract are factors.) You'll also have to pay an $18 "upgrade fee."

If you're not eligible for the discount, you'll have to fork over extra for an "early upgrade"-$399 for the 8GB iPhone 3G or $499 for the 16GB model. Ouch.

AT&T also says that a "no-commitment" (read: no contract) iPhone 3G will be available soon, at $599 for the 8GB version and or $699 for the 16GB handset. Pricey, but hey-no two-year contract.

Unfortunately, AT&T won't offer the new iPhone on a prepaid basis, at least not at launch.

Some other items: You will have to get your new iPhone activated at the store, and that means a credit check. So bring a photo ID and your Social Security number (especially if you're not yet an AT&T customer). If you want to cut down on the wait, you can go to an AT&T store now and take care of the credit check early.

There have been some rumors that current iPhone users could simply register the IMEI number of their new iPhone with AT&T clerks-meaning they could finish activating their phones at home. It's a nice idea, but so far, there's no indication from AT&T that such a plan exists.

As for the newly detailed rate plans, there aren't any surprises. Each plan comes bundled with unlimited data; $70 a month gets you 450 minutes and 5,000 night/weekend minutes, while a 900-minute plan with unlimited nights/weekends goes for $90. A 1,350-minute plan will cost $110 per month. Family plans are available, and business data plans will cost $45 a month (versus $30 per month for standard data in the bundled plans). Text messages are extra, too. Individuals pay $5 for 200 texts per month, $15 for 1,500 a month, or $20 for unlimited texting. For family plans, you'll pay $30 a month for unlimited messaging.

AT&T also has a checklist of required documentation, fees, and rate plans. Download the PDF here.

Guess that $199 price Steve Jobs announced for the iPhone 3G should have come with a massive asterisk, huh? 

Related:
iPhone 3G purchasing info [AT&T]

 

Comments on iPhone 3G on sale 8 a.m. July 11; no-contract iPhone on tap

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  • 46 Posted by losmaul on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey somebody knows if i can get my iphone without service because i will be in us 4 july and i want to get it but i dont want any service in us i only want the iphone if somebody know something can post it or send me an email plis s_joachin@hotmail.com

  • 47 Posted by mitch4t on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had a BlackBerry for 7 years. Every time a new kid comes on the block, I check it out. If you are into fads, the I-phone is the one to get. If you want to use common sense, there are at least 10 other ways to go......I'm keeping my BlackBerry. You can have the I-phone and AT&T with their ridiculous charges and fees.

  • 48 Posted by nursemisty1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can think of 100 other ways to waste my money...designer toilet paper, bulk celery seed, humanure for my garden, candy buttons, bottled water (in plastic, of course), corn syrup (thinking about making my own soda), kitty litter (my neighbor has a few cats), tickets to a New Kids on the Block concert (if and when they decide have a reunion, I never actually liked them, but my sister did and I could take her, she would really like that!), dr. scholls inserts for my shoes......

  • 49 Posted by washburnken on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's a freakin cell phone! Don't fall for it. A friend of mine has one, and she can only get photos I send to her from my "regular" cell phone, via email! I can't believe that; I can't just send it to her number, I have to enter the email address...craziness! And 6 months from now, they'll cut the price like on the original. As Ice Cube would say, "Check yo self, before you wreck yo self". Ha.

  • 50 Posted by josey1971 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    So what happens if you buy the phone at the Apple Store? Is it $199/$299 there regardless of your current AT&T contract status?

  • 51 Posted by sdgarcias on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    what a waste of time and money..... I have verizon and pay way less than 90.00 a month... also what else can they do to the phone, make it wipe your but..with and extra fee

  • 52 Posted by keithroby on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    i'll stick with the phone that performs at a professional level: the blackberry.

  • 53 Posted by cdaacosta5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    wow i knew it was to good to be true people"THERE's ALWAY's A CATCH FOR EVERYTHING,these's price's are wrong this is america this aint a third world country..... Apple/ AT&t.always misleading the consumer!!!!

  • 54 Posted by dfday2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just get the new Sprint Instinct. Better phone, easier to use and cheaper. Apple will have to lower their prices once everybody starts buying the Instinct.

  • 55 Posted by jabroni0926 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can anybody say, RIP OFF! U might as well buy a brand new laptop for the price you're gonna cough up.

  • 56 Posted by rod262 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sometimes I wish I was not so loyal to apple. I will not be getting an iphone for what looks like another year. Well, I just hope the old line of "Good things come to those who wait." holds true.

  • 57 Posted by mmfcpe on Tue Jul 1, 2008 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd say its worth it....not worth it enough to sell your old iPhone though. All phones have problems and always will, no software can be perfect. I'll stick with my regular iPhone, it freezes once in awhile but who the heck cares? I promise the new one will do the same thing so who cares, but paying off a termination fee? The article above says nothing about users of the old iPhone and I'm sure that if you do own an iPhone you are upgrade eligible. Second of all Verizon is absolutely terrible, granted AT&T might have a ----- ton of dropped calls but it is minute in comparison to that of Verizon. I will gladly pay whatever cost to NOT have Verizon ever again.

  • 59 Posted by dcescott on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm not gong to get one, however I will be snapping pics for ----- s n giggles over the cult of mac huge nerd fest that day. I am a mac user and I love my technology, but the iphone is too elusive for me. It doesn't add up pricewise imo.

  • 60 Posted by jrb3907 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    man talk about a rip off at&t is trying to get more money out of a person just to get a new phone I have a cell phone and I pay 25.00 per three months of service and i never run out of minutes pluse if I upgrade I never pay any fees pluse I don't have a early termation fee ever

  • 61 Posted by rickyleeditor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love the iphone and hate AT&T. I wish I could use the iphone with my cheap T-mobile plan. AT&T must have payed Steve Jobs a CR@P load for that phone!

  • 62 Posted by brhsmith75 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    Seriously? Ok...First the upgrade discount vs the two year discount vs the go phone prices are retarded and make about as much sense as having an iphone that is so proprietary that you cannot link up to other phones via bluetooth or send or receive multimedia messages or even load your your own pictures into email. Couple all of this with the increased price for the 3G data plan and you really have a sinking ship. The novelty of the iphone has definitely worn off as far as I am concerned, and I for one will no longer support this or any other apple product. As soon as my current iphone dies on me I will jump ship and go to the competition.

  • 63 Posted by dirtysouthdeuce on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    p.s. not to mention they are trying to rip off peeps with the no contract deal! WTF all AT&T is doing, is charging the additional contract cancellation fee up front!

  • 64 Posted by crystalchernandez on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    After reading this and how much it would be. I am glad I bought the Samsung Instinct with Sprint. It may not have Outlook Calendar to sync right now, but I didn't have to pay so much to get all the cool features and easy to use phone. The Plan is awesome 99.99/mo for unlimited everything. The Instinct comes w/ a second battery, hands free headphones.

  • 65 Posted by sheba0110 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am a disgruntle ex Verizon employee and I still keep my Verizon service. I have travlled cross country four times with my 2 year old, we go camping all over and I have never had an issue. Screw the iphone, give me a lg9900, with unlimited minutes and unlimited texting, email, IM, and web access and I pay less than $150. per month.

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