not sure if this has been posted yet: How the half-price iPhone 3G actually costs you more Mon Jun 9, 2008 11:20PM EDT Not mentioned in today's you-can't-get-away-from-it iPhone 3G announcement: AT&T's service plan jumps $10 a month. What's this? Did Apple finally figure out what the rest of the retail world did: That when you give away the razor you can charge through the nose for the blades? Let's look at the math. Old iPhone: $399 (for 8GB of storage), plus $60 per month for 450 voice minutes and unlimited data. Two-year total (since you'll be signing a two-year deal for either handset): $1,839. New iPhone: $199 (for 8GB of storage), plus $70 per month for a basic voice plan (presumably the same 450 minutes) and unlimited data. Two-year total: $1,879. That's $40 more over the course of your contract, which is really not that bad in the grand scheme of things. Had AT&T and Apple raised monthly fees just another $5 per month, the total cost of service would have hit $1,999 over two years (not including taxes and fees). "Business users" get the shaft, big-time, with a minimum of $85 a month for service. That's $15 a month extra just so you can get email via Exchange. Boo. Other annoyances: iPhone 3G will have to be activated in stores instead of at home, like before, and the phone won't be available to purchase online at launch. Still, like I say, this isn't too bad. Putting aside the business user issue, $40 extra over two years doesn't sound like much, considering all the extra features and services the new iPhone packs in. In fact, on paper the iPhone 3G has addressed almost all of my complaints regarding the original model from a year ago. But then again, I'm sure I'll be getting the $299 16GB model ... and don't forget those accessories too. UPDATE: For those who've written regarding the time value of money, I did the math based on the present value of the iPhone to Apple at a 3% annual interest rate. The numbers: Original iPhone nets Apple/AT&T $1,795; new iPhone gets them $1,828. So the new phone still costs you $33 in the end if you invest that $200 you would have otherwise spent on the hardware. http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/94465
I just bought the current one on Friday at the AT&T store in the Woodlands. It wasn't the last one they had.
I assume some people will be selling their old iPhones in a rush to get the new one. Can I buy one of these off eBay and somehow unlock and configure it to use with my Verizon service?
iphone operates on a GSM network. version, sprint, alltel = CDMA ATT, T-Mobile = GSM also the new iphones cannot be unlocked..at least not yet...they fixed all the ways you could do it on the old one. first pick a voice plan. basic one is 450 mins for $40 then you just add a $30 data plan, then pick a SMS plan which is $5 for 200, $10 for 1500 and $20 for unlimited. $40+$30+$5 = $75+tax...probably close to $90.
Yeah I'm with AT&T right now and the only thing that has prevented me from getting the iPhone is the extra $20 (soon to be $30) per month that is required for each line with an iPhone. They make good money through that.
I thought the iPhone came with unlimited texting? I remember seing some chick with her first iPhone bill coming in a box because she texted so much. 450 minutes would probably be plenty of time for me although I like to add on stuff like nights starting at 7:00 PM and so on. That would probably be like $100 a month. I am still going to consider it though.
no sirr.. the extra 20 for the data package for the old iphone included 200 SMS...the new one doesnt.
ALL AT&T smartphones have a $30 data plan attached to them. If you're on Verizon, that cost is $45 a month. (And if you're with Sprint, it's only $15.)
That really sucks and if you don't get a texting plan texts cost a dime per sent AND received, correct or did they raise the price on those also?
I only had to add a $20.00 data plan to use my iphone thru at&t, but of course that's not this new one coming out.
okay now im definitely not getting it. they took away texts too?! fzckin bastards. i think ill just buy an ipod classic and be done with it.
HERE is a video walk-through demo thing for the 3G iPhone. Its about 30 minutes long. Needless to say, this thing is BAD ASS. I totally want one.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...e_plans_compared_cost_increases_detailed.html With AT&T increasing data costs while simultaneously cutting text messages from its iPhone 3G plans, individual iPhone users upgrading to the 3G model will find themselves paying between 12.5% and 25% more to maintain the same level of service while family plan subscribers will likely see their costs rise anywhere from 15% to 45%
also Those upgrading are subject to an $18 upgrade fee, and new customers must pay a $36 activation fee. Existing customers who aren't scheduled for an upgrade can purchase an 8 GB iPhone for $399 or a 16 GB for $499 with a two-year contract renewal. AT&T has even announced a pricing scheme for the device with no required contract. Though it will not be available on the launch date, no-contract iPhones will cost $599 for the 8 GB, and $699 for 16 GB.
Wait a minute, is it true that is you're already a customer and ready for an upgrade you will have to have your credit ran AGAIN to go to the iPhone? That's some BS if true.
