Got the iPhone 3G? Prepare to shell out extra $$$ for the new iPhone
Mon Jun 8, 2009 6:54PM EDT
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If you bought the iPhone 3G on AT&T last year and you were expecting to grab the new iPhone 3G S for $199 (for the 16GB model) or $299 (32GB)—that is, the prices announced during Monday's Apple keynote—think again.
Instead, prepare to pay $200 extra for an "early" upgrade, which comes out to $399 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S or $499 for the 32GB version. (As for me, I'm not eligible for the "standard" upgrade $199/$299 pricing until late December.)
According to TUAW, some iPhone 3G owners aren't even being offer the "early" upgrade option—in which case, they're stuck with AT&T's "no commitment" pricing of $599 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S or (gulp) $699 for the 32GB model.
But wait—didn't most of us who upgraded from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G last year get the discounted $199/$299 pricing from AT&T, despite the fact that we were barely a year into our two-year contracts?
Well, yes, but according to an AT&T spokesman I've been trading e-mails with, "there was a difference between iPhone and iPhone 3G—you and other 3G owners got an attractively subsidized price." Huh.
So that appears to be the (extremely) disappointing deal for us iPhone 3G owners who'd been looking forward to upgrading to the 3G S—and I have to say, the revelation is giving me serious pause.
OK, any iPhone 3G owners out there who'll hold off on the 3G S until they're eligible for the "standard" AT&T discount? And anyone else feeling burned that this wrinkle wasn't discussed during the Apple keynote today?
Related:
iPhone 3G owners and AT&T upgrade woes [TUAW]
iPhone 3G users to pay $200 premium for early upgrade to iPhone 3G S [AppleInsider]
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Comments on Got the iPhone 3G? Prepare to shell out extra $$$ for the new iPhone
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7 Posted by shortmama16 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse
Does anyone haveany answer for this question? Just got my IPhone 3G 3 weeks ago and was not told about any new version coming out. Would I be able to return the phone & obtain the new phone with only the re-stocking fee? How would that be handled?
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8 Posted by guitarmunkey05 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 9:36PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd pay soooo much for this phone on verizon network. I think others agree too. AT&T service is
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9 Posted by guitarmunkey05 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 9:36PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd pay soooo much for this phone on verizon network. I think others agree too. AT&T service is
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10 Posted by wolverinemarky on Mon Jun 8, 2009 9:53PM EDT Report Abuse
i am a little pissed about not getting the early upgrade option seeing as my contract dont expire till next may so by then they might be releasing the 4g iPhone so i will probably bypass this generation of iphone and go to the next gen after this one and maybe even check out the pre if it goes to at&t by then. so Apple may have just lost a customer we will see
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11 Posted by jacook16 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 9:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Outrageous this is not the time for Apple and ATT to discriminate against it's established iPhone customers. I'M MAD!!
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12 Posted by monko12105 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse
at least tethering will be for the normal 3g
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13 Posted by chadae_frank on Mon Jun 8, 2009 10:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Oh pssh. I was one of those 'eager' people last year but you know what they told me? I had to pay 400 or wait until I was able to get it. So AT&T lies. So now I'm going to go and buy the $199 3G S and be darn happy I waited a year for it. And everyone who bought the 3G, get over it, there was talk about a new version forever ago...it happens stop complaining
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14 Posted by cirielli@sbcglobal.net on Mon Jun 8, 2009 10:32PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with shaggy_drew. The same sense of loyalty will be give to AT&T/ Apple when my plan comes up for renewal. You should at least give those of us who have the iPhones an option to upgrade. Sure we'll get the software upgrades but to come out with a phone that is better and $100 or more cheaper than one you purchased in the last year is BS.
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15 Posted by jky2007 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 10:44PM EDT Report Abuse
Heh, I just bought a new iPhone 3G, but my 30 day warranty isn't up, so I'm just gonna take it back and get this one. :) Yeah, it's stupid. Loyal customers who want the newest things should be able to have *SOME* type of break, even if it isn't the biggest one...But how else will BOTH Apple and AT&T make money? Ah well...
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16 Posted by baerjamin on Mon Jun 8, 2009 11:09PM EDT Report Abuse
Hardware upgrades are hardware upgrades... the iPhone represents the very first phone I've owned that allows me to freely download the software upgrade. I've done that multiple times since I got my first iPhone (first generation) and I plan on doing it again with the 3.0 upgrade. Will I miss some of the hardware features? Yes. Are there enough to justify a new phone? No. By the way, was a huge Palm Treo fan... until they abandoned me like a cheap date! Good luck Pre owners... I look forward to hear in a year or so about how screwed you got when they moved to a WinCE phone. ;)
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17 Posted by dmacleod74 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 11:28PM EDT Report Abuse
Welcome to how I felt two years ago when I purchased the original iPhone two months before the 3G came out and I had shelled out alot more money. This time I paid attention to the rumors and held out for the 3G S to arrive even tho I was eligible to upgrade months ago. As for AT&T, I've been a loyal customer since before the iPhone, but the hold up on the MMS from their end is unacceptable and will make me definitely consider changing when the iPhone is available on other carriers. One of the biggest drawbacks to the iPhone has been the lack of ability to handle MultiMedia Messaging so now that Apple is fixing that problem, AT&T is going to drag it's feet? Very typical.
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18 Posted by bryantd78 on Mon Jun 8, 2009 11:44PM EDT Report Abuse
For someone who claims to be a "gadget hound" he knows very little about cell phone service, contracts and subsidies. Just goes to show, you can't please everyone. If the iPhone 3g wasnt discounted everyone would have complained of the price being to high. Why would AT&T try to bring the world's hottest phone to the everyday consumer at an everyday price, why?!? Don't think for one second any other carrier wouldn't be doing the same thing... Every carrier does it with EVERY phone, how do you think the phones get more and more features and cababilities, yet the prices stay the same?
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19 Posted by grumpymunchkin@sbcglobal.net on Tue Jun 9, 2009 12:06AM EDT Report Abuse
I have a 3G. This really sux.
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20 Posted by scrubman_2000 on Tue Jun 9, 2009 12:48AM EDT Report Abuse
I am a new iPhone user and I am really disappointed in AT&T. I’m sure AT&T knew MMS was coming, so why not upgrade. I pay them $190 a month and cant get the basics. I think someone would be a fool to buy a iphone 3gs while it is with AT&T. I got a year left in my contract, i need to see 3g coverage and more, or its off to another provider and phone. THE IPHONE KILLER IS AT&T AND APPLE. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF THEM……….THE NEW IPHONE IS GOING TO BE CALLED IGONE.
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21 Posted by mashfan831 on Tue Jun 9, 2009 1:13AM EDT Report Abuse
i think this is BS i just Got My ipohone a few months ago they need to think of the people who actully sheck out there own money to get this darn thing and help us out
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22 Posted by fredlpart on Tue Jun 9, 2009 1:38AM EDT Report Abuse
Do you really need to change your Iphone very 6 month???? it is ridiculous...
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23 Posted by juanded@ameritech.net on Tue Jun 9, 2009 2:55AM EDT Report Abuse
If you do an early upgrade to to a new iphone 3G S (32gb) for $499, what happens to you current iphone 3G? do you have to return it?
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24 Posted by jsupernova1 on Tue Jun 9, 2009 2:56AM EDT Report Abuse
This is why I hate monopolies and hope that contract exclusivity days will soon die an unlamented death in the U.S. as has happened elsewhere.
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25 Posted by ffd2968 on Tue Jun 9, 2009 3:18AM EDT Report Abuse
If Apple want s to keep it's loyal customers, they need to treat them well. People who bought the Iphone 3G deserve the discounted price of the new version. We have earned it and boosted Apples' stock. Stop morphing into the Evil Corporate Empire and take care of your loyal customers! We have been patient while you give us features that are common on every other phone. These features should have been there in the first place. Now you want to charge your best customers hundreds of dollars more than these new customers? TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT TAKE CARE OF YOU APPLE!
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6 Posted by wlroston on Mon Jun 8, 2009 8:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Without the flah, teh new camera is a wash and I"m getting great results with my Mophie juice pack to extend the battery life. I'd love to hve the 3G S kust for thte tethering, but not at a $200 premium plus the increasingly poor service from AT&T. By the time I'm eligible for an upgrade, I'll be looking for a transition to a new carrier. AT&T and Apple are both jacking loyal customers. Enjoy it while you can guys........