July 1, 2008 (Computerworld) AT&T Inc. today said it would sell Apple's iPhone 3G to customers without requiring a two-year contract sometime "in the future" at marked-up prices of $599 for the 8GB model and $699 for the 16GB device. When asked for more information, an AT&T spokesman said today that the company is not yet sharing details about the no-contract deal or laying out a timetable. Less than two weeks before the launch of Apple Inc.'s new iPhone, AT&T did spell out iPhone and plan pricing in a statement posted on its Web site. AT&T reiterated that the iPhone 3G will be sold for $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) starting July 11, but clarified which customers will be able to buy it at those prices. "These prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers," said AT&T, including "iPhone customers who purchased before July 11, customers activating a new line with AT&T [and] current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount." The mobile operator, which is Apple Inc.'s exclusive network partner in the U.S., also explained how it will determine whether a customer qualifies for the subsidized prices. "Eligibility for the upgrade discount typically involves a number of factors, including how long you have been in your current service agreement, your payment history, for example, prompt payment of bills, and more," said AT&T spokesman Wes Warnock in an e-mail Tuesday. "In general, you are more likely to qualify if you are at or near the end of your current service agreement and pay your wireless bills promptly." Customers not eligible for the discounted prices will have to pay $499 for the 8GB iPhone 3G or $599 for the 16GB model, and will still be required to ink a two-year contract with the carrier. The $300 to $400 difference between the iPhone 3G's subsidized price and that offered to ineligible AT&T customers and buyers who don't sign a contract are in line with estimates analysts have made about how much the carrier is paying Apple for each device. AT&T outlined iPhone service plans that include $69.99, $89.99, $109.99 and $129.99 schemes offering 450, 900, 1,350 and unlimited minutes, respectively. As expected, those plans do not include text messages. iPhone 3G users will have to pay a minimum of $5 monthly -- for 200 messages -- and up to $20 for unlimited messages, to add texting to their plans. AT&T bundled 200 text messages with the plans for last year's first-generation iPhone, but has stopped that practice. AT&T also said that it would start selling the iPhone 3G July 11 at 8 a.m. local time, and said current iPhone owners with AT&T contracts would be charged an $18 upgrade fee when they signed up for another two-year deal. The upgrade charge, said Warnock, is usual for AT&T, and covers administrative and technical costs, he added. http://www.computerworld.com/action...xonomyId=12&articleId=9105558&intsrc=hm_topic
The problem is even if you buy the iphone at 199 it tied to a stupid 2 year contract with AT&T....so i dunno how unlocking is going to help
See thats y i dnt like apple, everything they do requires cracking 1st to let pple who cnt afford it even on contract!
There are similar and better phones out there.. It's a question of whether you are willing to pay so much for the Apple Brand.
in the us without the data plan that AT&T forces you to sign is 74.99 that is assuming that you added the text messaging and you only get 450 minutes of talk time.....for 74.99 i can get plans that give me thousands of minutes vs 450....
yep. It would be sooo much easier to come and rob me. And guys, now would be a good time to pick an iPhone. All the hype is gone with the normal iPhone. I've seen unlocked, barely used selling for 330$.
I am so happy I am not planning on gettingan iPhone or using AT&T. Right now, I have a Verizon Family plan with my roommates and 2 of my friends. There are 5 of us on the 1400 minute plan which includes free nights/weekends for $130. The same plan on AT&T with iPhones would cost $280 not including the price of 5 iPhones
beats me...but after talkin with the at&t rep its goin to be close to 100/month for a new iphone for voice and data with texting...imho the iphone is a super rip off
iphone was released by in australia today.. optus 8gb for 729... imo that's too much and not many ppl will be able to afford it.
