Got the iPhone 3G? Prepare to shell out extra $$$ for the new iPhone
Mon Jun 8, 2009 6:54PM EDT
See Comments (646)
If you bought the iPhone 3G on AT&T last year and you were expecting to grab the new iPhone 3G S for $199 (for the 16GB model) or $299 (32GB)—that is, the prices announced during Monday's Apple keynote—think again.
Instead, prepare to pay $200 extra for an "early" upgrade, which comes out to $399 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S or $499 for the 32GB version. (As for me, I'm not eligible for the "standard" upgrade $199/$299 pricing until late December.)
According to TUAW, some iPhone 3G owners aren't even being offer the "early" upgrade option—in which case, they're stuck with AT&T's "no commitment" pricing of $599 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S or (gulp) $699 for the 32GB model.
But wait—didn't most of us who upgraded from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G last year get the discounted $199/$299 pricing from AT&T, despite the fact that we were barely a year into our two-year contracts?
Well, yes, but according to an AT&T spokesman I've been trading e-mails with, "there was a difference between iPhone and iPhone 3G—you and other 3G owners got an attractively subsidized price." Huh.
So that appears to be the (extremely) disappointing deal for us iPhone 3G owners who'd been looking forward to upgrading to the 3G S—and I have to say, the revelation is giving me serious pause.
OK, any iPhone 3G owners out there who'll hold off on the 3G S until they're eligible for the "standard" AT&T discount? And anyone else feeling burned that this wrinkle wasn't discussed during the Apple keynote today?
Related:
iPhone 3G owners and AT&T upgrade woes [TUAW]
iPhone 3G users to pay $200 premium for early upgrade to iPhone 3G S [AppleInsider]
Comments on Got the iPhone 3G? Prepare to shell out extra $$$ for the new iPhone
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
2 Posted by nghieptang on Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:33PM EDT Report Abuse
ATT IS GOOD , I CAN'T WAIT NEW I PHONE 3G S COME OUT
-
3 Posted by bowen.colleen on Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:48PM EDT Report Abuse
When is ATT going to put out a smaller data plan for those of us who want an IPhone but don't plan to be on the internet 24/7?
-
4 Posted by shaggy_drew on Mon Jun 8, 2009 8:21PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow. Way to support loyal early adapters, AT&T. Beware. When the tides turn and AT&T's exclusive deal with the iPhone runs out, I will show the same amount of "loyalty" to them. It makes no sense, whatsoever, to make me pay $600 when I just bought an iPhone 3G two ****ing months ago.
-
5 Posted by patrickromsim on Mon Jun 8, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse
Everyone who bought the iPhone 3G last year needs to quit their belly aching. Six months after I bought my car a newer and slightly better version came out but it's not like I can go bring it back to the dealer and say, "Hey this year's model is better then last year's model, let me buy the new model at a discount because that one is better and I'm a loyal customer. Boo Hoo!" Give me a break.
-
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........
-
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?
-
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
-
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
-
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
1 Posted by adzynr on Mon Jun 8, 2009 7:09PM EDT Report Abuse
Just another reason Apple needs to look at oncoming traffic, i.e., the Pre, and see if Apple is ALWAYS worth the higher prices for computing, texting and downloading. Hmmmph. I'm an ALL apple persona and rapidly become cider on the one that seems to be getting tbe best of their devotees. Even looking at PC's at this point.