iPhone 3G users to pay $200 premium for early upgrade to iPhone 3G S - Page 2

I have been an AT&T customer since the early 90's--almost 20 years.

But I bet because of the network issues, the flubbed launches, tethering, MMS, and now this, in 2011 I will be using my iPhone 4G on the Verizon network.

There is no way that Apple privately is happy with AT&T. No way.

"An early termination fee of $175 applies if service is terminated before the end of the contract term and will be reduced by $5 for each full month toward your minimum term that you complete. If phone is returned within 3 days, activation fee will be refunded. If phone is returned within 30 days in like-new condition with all components, early termination fee will be waived. All other charges apply." http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...plan-terms.jsp

"existing iPhone 3G customers will have to pay a $200 premium to upgrade to the latest model if they want one right away"

I don't get it. They signed a two year contract... Why should they get it cheap, considering the subsidy is coming out of their subscription fees and they will only be one year in?

Um, you could just wait until the anniversary (a few weeks from now) and get the hoped-for price. Let's say you're 25 years old. Just spitballing here, I don't know you so I'll guess low and hope you're flattered. You've had that 3G less just short of a year. So you lived roughly 96% of your life without an iPhone of any sort. I believe you'll find that you'll be alive and well a few weeks from now, and you'll be all set with your new niftier iPhone. At a reasonable price.

I gather bad luck follows you wherever you go.

You're buying out your old contract for $200.

Then you put down $199 or $299 for the new iPhone 3GS that is subsidised by AT&T by around $400 - $500 from the price they pay Apple. Because of this subsidy, they want you to go on a 2 year contract so that they can spread the cost to you.

OR

You're paying $399 or $499 for the device, which is still subsidised, you've just paid half the subsidy. You still have one year of your existing subsidy to run, and this additional half a subsidy adds another year on - hence two years.

OR

You can pay full price. $599 for the 16 GB, $699 for the 32 GB. You won't have to get a new contact at all.

Actually, I did. $499 for the 32GB version, and I purchased my iPhone 3G on the day it was released last year. So, a $200 premium, just like the article says.... uh, Dude.

That's not a bad deal if you can dump one year of an existing contract!

It's good to have some options. You get a discount with a commitment.

A friend was told that existing iPhone 3G customers would not be sold any new iPhones that might come out even if they paid full price! Glad that was not really the case.

Nelson says so about 1:30 into the Guided Tour.
And Nelson has never lied to us.

BTW the new camera behavior is very sweet, as is the instant video editing.

I've been using Griffin's voice memo and sync - they make no mention of syncing the new system-level voce memos - any clues?

Exactly!

"Umm, why is there a small cloud hanging over your head?"

They are allowing upgrades year after year. The 3G was released a month late so my first iPhone contract was 13 months, and the 2nd was 11. Averages out in my book. Let me upgrade now.

I purchased the iPhone 3G in April of 2008. Therefore, I'm already 14 months into the 24 month contract. Perhaps AT&T could pro-rate, eh? I'd pay $399 for the 32 gig 3Gs. But $499? I don't think so...

I signed a 2 year contract with my iphone last July, but for some reason, the ATT site says I can upgrade on 12/22/2009. What's the deal?

How did you manage that seeing as how it didnt come out until July 11th 2008?

I owned a 60s beetle, a Pinto, a Vega, a Chevette and a Mystique. I guess actually you could say I gave bad luck a lift whenever it needed one.

July 2008 it is then.

i'll probably get a 32GB in the next month. i was hoping for a reduced data plan with a cap. my wife's 16GB uses less than 1GB per month

What is your plan, give them a different social security number to try and prove you are a new customer? Good luck with that.

I like how he says how easy it is to open an app, click on the home button and then open another app. Its like the Pre, but slower. I didnt expect background apps to come right away, but I figure they must be working on them for this new device, assuming it does have 256MB RAM.

I also agree with you about the 200 premium since a ton of people could wind of becoming churn on their numbers.

You cancel the line of service and then you can reopen a line if the account is still active or they rerun your credit. You use your same SSN and it happens all then time with cellphone companies

HURRY-30 day returns allowed.

Can I ask? WHY would you have done this two weeks ago

Does anyone have any idea why my account wouldn't be eligible until December 12 for a discounted upgrade? I bought both the original iPhone and iPhone 3G on their respective release dates. Everyone else seems to be able to upgrade their iPhone 3G on July 12. What gives?

You get full discount after 18 months of service.

What was interesting to me, was the statement on AT&T's upgrade eligibility page:

"As a valued AT&T customer, AT&T can offer you an early iPhone upgrade with a new 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee. You may qualify for a standard iPhone upgrade on 12/12/2009."

Are they trying to get a year-end boost in sales?

Umm No-That is what this tread is about. If you have 18 months of service, you get full discount.

The fact that you bought a 3G started your two years over.

However, last year the "upgrade" price started this way. By the time you could actually buy a 3G-AT$T had relented.

Everyone's comment's are really right on mark -- technically, yeah, AT&T is following their general upgrade policies, and technically, yeah, people who upgraded to 3G last summer should have to wait until their anniversary date to get the subsidized pricing. Technically.

HOWEVER, there is more at stake for both companies than keeping in line with dates of contracts, anniversaries, and pricing policies.

Even AT&T has "special" policies regarding the iPhone, and even different special policies for business accounts. As the exclusive carrier (in the U.S.) we're all forced to use AT&T. (Mind you, I had AT&T prior to the iPhone as well) -- But once they are not the exclusive carrier, why should anyone keep them as a provider? With all the glitches and network issues, and now the whole MMS/Tethering issue, they really aren't in such an awfully good place to mess with Apple customers! If, like last year, they waived the premium, I wouldn't even *think* about switching carriers. As it stands now, if there is a premium to be paid, I will move my business accounts from AT&T next Friday and will not purchase the new iPhone until my "anniversary." I asked about early termination -- $125 for me. It's cheaper than paying the premium and the $18 upgrade and I won't have to add another 2 years to my contract! That's just DUMB business, no?? If my loyalty to AT&T is not appreciated, perhaps Verizon would rather have my business accounts?

APPLE customers are intensely loyal, and they are the ones who spend hours in line for the new products. I stood in line twice for the new iPhone! All those sales figures reported after the first month of the iPhone releases were from sales to Apple loyalists who adopted early just because it was from Apple. How many people did I convert to Mac computer and the iPhone? How many Apple products do I personally own? TONS!

SO, whatever they do now has a huge impact on their future sales and loyalty base. It's not money in their pocket today, that's true -- however, in the long run they will lose a lot of customers, including me.

I bought my iPhone 3G on July 14th and it shows I will be qualified for an upgrade after Dec 13th 2009!! It is not one year for me. If I am going to pay double I might as well get one of my friends in Italy or Australia to send an unlocked version.

Every cell carrier has the same policy when it comes to upgrading a phone before the contract has expired, especially for an expensive phone that is subsidized. This should not be a surprise to anyone. People should enjoy their 3G phone with the free 3.0 update because you know there will be a better model out next summer. I am sure there will be some that blow their money on the 3GS and then complain next year when a new phone comes out and they have to blow more money to upgrade again. But I am sure Apple and AT&T don't mind those customers at all.

My first gen iPhone is rock solid with the aluminum back and cheaper service plan. I have another year on my 2 year contract (I was late adopter and waited for the 16 GB model to arrive). So I can skip the 3GS and get something even better next summer.

Unbelievable! Someone AT&T is unfair with the iPhone despite this being the same process for all carriers and all phones under contracts in the US... and elsewhere. There is nothing unfair about it.

The original iPhone was not subsidized! So AT&T can only gain by having you sign up for a new 2 year contract. What remains to be seen is how much AT&T has made against their current high-payout to Apple and if they will find that making the upgrade price lower for iPhone 3G users is needed. Since people that have had their iPhone 3Gs a full year will only have to pay a $115 cancelation fee, it may behoove them to drop the in-contract, upgrade eligible price for current iPhone 3G users that have had accounts for about a year to only $100 above the out-of-contract, upgrade eligible price to reduce the canceling and resigning up of contracts, which adds a lot of work to AT&T employees and actually hurts their numbers for cancelations despite helping them in their new customer additions.

Mine shows 12/12/09 !! Why I wonder? I bought my 3G the day they were released. (Just like I did with the first iPhone). Ugh.

Steve

I've been saying that for years and constantly get bashed by solipism and his ilk keep saying blah , blah, blah and defending the AT&T/Apple partnership- how Apple loves the crappy signal, defend AT&T at the bottom of Consumer Reports, etc,etc, etc.

Frist gen plus 2 years equals now?Can't you even add?
Next summer? Don't you use your calculator on your iPhone besides fart apps?

There was a reason for that. The original iPhones weren't subsidized, therefore AT&T weren't losing any money.

Has anyone ever bought a phone before the iPhone? Every carrier has at least an 18 month wait period on subsidized smartphones.
The olden days of just the normal phone, it was easier to get an early upgrade because the carrier wasn't in the hole as much with the cost.
If you think it's insane and unfair, go get a Blackberry Storm at Verizon and go back in 11 months wanting an upgrade, see how far that gets you.

It's possible they may change the policy, who knows. I know they do make more per customer with the iPhone than any other phone they have. Currently, it's in line with every other carrier.

The exact length of time before you qualify for an upgrade is determined by some complex algorithm relating to the average amount you pay per month and is not fully understood by mere mortals such as ourselves. You're actually better off than I am...I bought my iPhone 3G around the same time as you, but I don't qualify for full subsidies until next March. I'm not surprised since I only pay $60/month for voice and data combined (before taxes and fees).

Then how do you explain the others who also bought their iPhones on July 12 and are eligible for discounted pricing on July 12? They've posted pictures from Apple's upgrade site that prove it. What's more, December 12, 2009 is 17 months from July 12, 2009, so even that isn't 18 months.

AT&T is not thinking this through. Long lines will not be as long at the Apple/AT&T stores this year generating the publicity they want. Everyone is cash strapped and the people that have crowded their stores the previous two years won't be there in the same numbers as before. Maybe "not as long" lines are still long, just not filled with people who share the same enthusiasm.

Fine with me. I wait and maybe I decide not to give them one penny more than I have contractually agreed too.

Nah, just internet trolls.