Today Apple announced they will be releasing their latest version of the iPhone with OS3 software. You can believe that I was and still is excited to hear all of the great things coming available with the new version. I went online to Apple.Com and attempted to pre-order a 3GS right away. This is what happened.
You can purchase iPhones through the Apple online store now. The process took about 3 minutes after entering in my basic particulars so they could access my account. What was explained to me is shown in the image below.
Last year the iPhone 3G came out in mid July. AT&T only gives you upgrade pricing if it has been a year since you have purchased an iPhone. I purchased my 3G last year on July 22nd. The Apple website let me know that I can either order a 3GS at full retain price, $699 or wait until July 22nd in which I “may” be eligible for upgrade pricing, which according to Apple’s announcement today is $299 for the 32GB version.
So my guess is that Apple is trying to bank off of everybody who went out last year and purchased the phone right away. In my opinion this is bad form. Apple is a business trying to make a profit but this is pretty bad. I am sure many will go out and buy a phone at full price because they do not want to wait, however I can not justify giving away $400 dollars to get a phone one month earlier. If you waited even longer to get a 3G then you will have to wait until your one year is up. Sad but true…
What date does Apple say you are eligible for an upgrade?
June 8, 2009
#1
Yea I'm kinda bummed.
June 9, 2009
#2
the problem with even that is that there are two different "upgrade" pricings… an "early upgrade" you get a year into your contract and the regular upgrade that you get like 18 months or so in. The "early upgrade" comes with an $18 fee and an extra $100 on the price of the phone
June 8, 2009
#3
Not enough new features to keep me on AT&Ts horrible network. Today in Lodi, I couldn't even get any data, 2.5 or 3G, with full bars for 30 minutes! I'm tire of AT&T and am now holding out for the Verizon iPhone rumored for next year. With LTE, it'll blow away anything AT&T could dream of.
June 8, 2009
#4
Maybe the problem is that you live in Lodi
June 8, 2009
#5
Maybe the problem is that you live in Lodi
June 8, 2009
#6
from what they told me when i upgraded lexie's phone AT&T is the one that added the charge cause of the contracts with the other phone manufactures. the iPhone was the only phone that was the same price no matter when you wanted to upgrade or if you were a new customer. who is going to buy a POS phone for the same price as the iPhone? so AT&T tacked on the $200 upgrade charge.
The way around it if you can not wait till your year is up is to add a line to your plan. then go in like a week later and have the numbers switched on the phones!!
June 8, 2009
#7
Nope, I live elsewhere where 3G isn't even available. The real problem is AT&T. Ever since it was Pac Bell PCS, I've never had a good experience with them. That changed when I went to Verizon. NEVER had a signal issue with it. Really, the problem is that I don't live in San Jose anymore where it's bathed in 3G. It's not my problem, it's AT&Ts as you'll gather from recent pools (CNET, Wall Street Journal, etc) that list the iPhones greatest complaint as coverage. Something Apple doesn't control. Add the fact MMS won't be supported until the END OF SUMMER (huh?) and tethering wasn't even mentioned as AT&T supported, you'll see a quiet revolt starting. AT&Ts days are numbered. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a Verizon announcement in the next three months…or less.
June 8, 2009
#8
I know it's not your problem, it's AT&T's problem, I was just making a crack at living in Lodi.
June 9, 2009
#9
AT&T is the main problem….as was mentioned at the "DEV Conf." Everyone gets TETHERING except the U.S. and in part it is the U.S. office of F.C.C. for having so many restrictions. Europe, U.K., and other Eastern Countries have been (Enjoying 3G) for more than 8 years, and are now in 4G. in my state, i will have to travel (200 miles north) or (90 miles south)…. just to see the "3G icon" on my iPhone. Yes i will get the New 32 gig 3GS, My 16 gig is full NO More Free Space.
June 8, 2009
#10
Thanks for the post. The fine print on the Apple site about upgrade prices had me shaking my head. But the part about "you may be eligible" concerns me.
June 8, 2009
#11
For me, video isn't that much of an improvement to warrant an upgrade. At least not a full retail plus $7. I think those who are still holding on to an original iPhone (ie, 4 gig) will upgrade now, as they are at two years and due to upgrade. That being said, I think any and all apple fanboys (myself very much included) are certainly lusting over the new gadget.
Oh, and Sven, I very much agree with you that AT&T has horrible service. I find I have more dropped calls now on 3G than I ever did on the old edge network. And I think that the talks with Verizon will force AT&T to either to up or be shut out. Here's hoping it's the latter…
Can't wait to read more reviews. Keep up the great work Jerad!
June 8, 2009
#12
I totally agree with all of you about the price for basically video and a few other bells and whistles. However I have been holding out on purchasing a small video device, now I won't have to, plus I am going to be launching a new project soon in which having video will be a good thing.
June 9, 2009
#13
The "surprise" pricing is hardly a surprise for any long-time AT&T customer. Contracted customers with AT&T are only eligible for an equipment upgrade during the last six months of their two year contract. Last year's deal was the fluke. Don't blame Apple, blame AT&T.
June 9, 2009
#14
Yeah I knowultimatelyit is AT&T's policy but Apple went to bed with them so they are guilty by association. Apple could have said or done whatever they wanted with the iPhone deal from the get go. I don't feel to bad having to wait a month to get the phone while others are waiting much longer than I.
June 21, 2009
#15
Already did. I haven't got AT&T service yet, because the force is still more with them than with me (damned sith!)
But the phone itself is great, even without phone/data service. I paid full price, so iTunes didn't stop me from hooking it up and syncing it. (They do something to register it in their database as paid in full. The subsidized phones apparently get the same prompt as the old iPhones, something like "This phone must be registered with AT&T service")
February 16, 2010
#16
Also already did that. And almost glad with that fact.