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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  • 66 Posted by fornicator5150 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Screw the Iphone and AT&T...Verizon is by far the best service. Not to mention I just bought a new phone they just came out with called the LG Dare...very similar to the Iphone however there are some differences between the two. All in all, it's GREAT! Cheaper phone...cheaper plan...and better service! On that note...Apple can F'n Eat Me...and so can AT&T!

  • 67 Posted by mmfcpe on Tue Jul 1, 2008 8:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Reply to post number 47. How is it wierd that Apple wont respect the wants and needs of the customer? Its simple economics, if you have a good/service that everyone wants and only you can give them and want to make tons of money you keep supply low and demand high and the price will never change, if Apple flooded the market with iPhones the price would drop rapidly after the initial influx into the market because the demand would decrease. I'd do the same thing and so would you. Why are diamonds expensive? Why are cures for our most deadly diseases at such rediculous price? It is all the same concept. iPhones, diamonds, medicine, they are all kept off the market to keep price high and demand high.

  • 68 Posted by bbransen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    All phones can be bought without a contract, if you are willing to pay the termination fee. $299+$175=$484 versus $699. $215 savings. Not sure what I am missing here.

  • 69 Posted by qtran0203 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    darn, $70 for unlimited data but the text messages are extra? Ouch. No wonder AT&T was willing to pay over $300 to Apple for every iPhone activited. I wish I had bought Apple stock when it was in the gutter. They most be making a killing on all these fools.

  • 70 Posted by acoppola98 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    The iPhone sounds so wonderful, I really want one - but At&T is a deal breaker for me. I refuse to buy an iPhone until I can pick my carrier, or at least they offer better carriers like Verizon, Cingular or T-Mobile. For now, I am sticking with Verizon - better deals and MUCH better costumer service... $ 5 bucks extra a month for web access from your phone! Plus I get service from Canada to Buenos Aires, great coverage. You can get great new phones for free or very little every year and a half (they are happy to give you an "early upgrade"). I am really happy with Verizon, but I'd switch to Cingular or T-Mobile for iPhone, but no way I am getting AT&T ever again.

  • 73 Posted by dag_devil on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I will not be upgrading to the new iphone. I have the older version of the iphone and I can't say I am pleased with it. It has been very frustrating dealing with the lack of common functions found on lower prices phones like video capability, picture text, flash capability, ability to open e-mail attachments, functional GPS, etc. The cost of the upgrade and additional monthly cost after I already paid $399 would be rather stupid on my part. The original iphone missed the mark by far and the new 3G iphone doesn't come any closer. Nokia N95 anyone?????

  • 74 Posted by gle1919 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is so weird... why does yahoo! seem to post a new anti-iphone story every day and a half? Is yahoo! owned by some apple competitor, or something? Whether the product's good or bad, I'm getting kind of suspicious of your 'news' stories...

  • 75 Posted by dandovidio on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Like Oil and Gas prices aren't high enough. Now a bigger and better I phone. Come on people wake up. Wait! It will be there tomorrow! And less expensive! It’s a virtue we all and benefit from. This is a streaming text from “ears only”. Peace. Out. , DA

  • 76 Posted by rauldall69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    The new Iphone? Whats new about it? You still cant send pic messages, The price for the plans are insane, and its still heat sensitive screen. No stylus so my screen gets scrached fast. Id rather get a tilt. every company has phones for cheaper that do more than that phone for less price. Ohh did I forget to mention dropped calls. Lol yeah I had to switch from ATT to Tmobile because of that. Now Im happy with my Dash. Not so costly and does tons of things. New Iphone is just more money.

  • 77 Posted by hav_dic_will_travel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    att & apple are nothing but rip offs, 1st they charge you over $600 dollars for a phone that's $200 cheaper within a week, with crappy internet, limited features, now they wanna charge exsisting customers another $300-$400 more dollars for the same phone? omg what ever happened to apperciating your loyal customers? or once was... i cant take this abuse any longer, suddenly $175 termination fee sounds pretty darn cheap to get away from your scams and complete direspect bof your customers

  • 78 Posted by sixteenpoundoyster on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    Reply to post #83... YES! Love my Nokia N95 8GB! Superior to the iPhoney in every possible way. I can honestly say that it is one device that has no problems. Paid almost $700 for it, unlocked. BUT, compare that to $399 for the original iPhone, $299 for the "upgrade" if you "qualify," and an extra $50/month for the exact same service from AT&T that I get from T-Mobile for $65/mo. Well maybe not the exact same service, you do miss out on the rudeness of the poor over-complained-to AT&T customer service reps. Who can stand all that politeness and helpfulness from T-Mobile, anyway?

  • 80 Posted by jmartin1375 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    Say I get the 900 mintues for $90/month. Is the $30 data charge on top of that? Does AT&T still do the whole roll over thing?

  • 81 Posted by jlee_grimm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    AT&T and the iphone are just TRING to copete with sprint and the samsung instict you can get an instinct for 129.99 with the simply everything plan for only 99.99 I think that sprint has the better deal

  • 82 Posted by cdl812 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Gee let me think.....the Instinct for 129.99....the Iphone for 199.....The Instinct with unlimited everything for 99.99.....or the iphone with 900 minutes and unlimited text messaging for 120.....I would have to be the the dumbest person in the world to purchase the iphone....you cant even download music over the air on the iphone and it isnt stereo bluetooth and Sprints network is far superior bottomline....oh yeah I get two REMOVEABLE BATTERIES with my Instinct plus I can get full ocverage insurance.....The decision is a no brainer....welcome to the now network.

  • 83 Posted by rlopez869 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    You would think that they want to repeat the success of the ipod. With these restrictions Apple can kiss a profitable quarter goodbye! It's interesting to see how Apple has found a company more arrogant than they are. Should we call it the ATT iphone? I don't know but it looks someone lost control of their baby. I have been a long time fan of Apple but I am also a fan of decency. What ATT is doing to its valued costumers is humiliating. No wonder there are more iphones without thank with it. I guess we need to raise the pirate flag once again!

  • 84 Posted by jennyrom on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am so disappointed. When I heard they reduced the new iphone to $199 I was going to get one even though I had just upgraded my phone last November. It "ain't" happening now!! Instead of paying an early upgrade fee, I should pay a early termination fee.

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