You know it’s coming, and you know you want one. But do you know where and how to get one? Tuesday, June 15 is the official iPhone 4 pre-order date, and MacLife.com is here to give you all the details on a safe and trouble-free pre-order.

The good news about getting an iPhone 4 is that you’ll have plenty of chances to grab one this year, unlike the original iPhone in 2007 and the iPhone 3G in 2008, where many folks had to stand outside their Apple or AT&T store in the crazy-hot sun to get one. There will be five different places to buy an iPhone 4 this year, and four of them will start accepting pre-orders on Tuesday -- although only one of those can actually be done online, for the lazier among you.

Are You Eligible?

Whether you already own a previous iPhone or not, the price you’ll pay for the iPhone 4 is based entirely on where you already stand with AT&T. Existing customers can check their upgrade eligibility online at att.com or dial *639# and get a quick SMS reply detailing where you stand.

If you’re a non-AT&T customer, you’ll want to hit up your respective carrier’s website or support phone number to find out what it may cost you in early termination fees (if anything) for switching teams to the iPhone 4 camp.

Pricing May Vary

Those of you who are new to the iPhone 4 will pay $199 for the 16GB model or $299 for the 32GB model (both available in black or white) and a two-year calling plan with smartphone data package is required. As of June 7, AT&T has new data packages for devices such as the iPhone 4 which will run you $15 per month for a meager 200MB of data (with every additional 200MB costing you $15 more) or $25 for 2GB (with every additional 1GB costing you $10).

If you are upgrading from an earlier iPhone, the pricing gets a little more tricky. If you’re already out of your previous two-year agreement, you’ll be eligible to get the iPhone 4 for the same prices as new customers listed above; likewise, if your eligibility runs out anytime in 2010, you’re also going to get the best pricing on your new baby. If your eligibility doesn’t start until January 1, 2011 or later, all hope is not lost -- you’ll just have to pay AT&T’s “early upgrade” rates, which are $200 more than for new customers ($399 for 16GB, $499 for 32GB). In either case, you’ll be signing up with AT&T for another two years.

Should you be in or out of your two-year contract with AT&T, you also have the option of buying at the “no-commitment” price: $599 for 16GB or $699 for 32GB, and you won’t have to renew your agreement with AT&T. Unfortunately, the devices are still locked to AT&T, so this option is really just for folks who want the new iPhone 4 but don’t want to commit to AT&T service for another two years.

Note that existing iPhone customers do not have to abandon their current unlimited data plan when upgrading to the iPhone 4; however, you will be unable to add the $20 per month tethering option unless you switch to the new $25, 2GB data plan (did we just hear you groaning?).

Oh, and a special tip to iPhone 4 buyers on AT&T Family Plans: Even if your number isn't eligible for an upgrade, someone else on your plan might be, and AT&T tends to be pretty lenient with allowing one family member to use another’s upgrade eligibility. We happen to be in that boat with you, and a call to AT&T last week after the iPhone 4 announcement confirmed that one family member could indeed order the device using another’s eligibility and when you receive the iPhone 4, you just call into AT&T and they’ll get the eligibility updated and help activate you on the correct line.

Finally, in all cases iPhone 4 purchases are limited to one per customer or one per active line for upgrades, which should cut down dramatically on second-hand sales through eBay and Craigslist, we figure.


Where (and When) to Buy

Let’s cut to the chase and lay out the options for you:

Apple.com: If you happen to be people-phobic or just plain smart, Apple.com will be your first stop on Tuesday morning, as it’s the only place to pre-order an iPhone 4 online. We’re guessing that the situation will be similar to last year’s iPhone 3GS launch, which required existing AT&T customers to enter your cell phone number so that Apple can verify your upgrade eligibility and show you the correct price you’ll pay in your shopping cart. Enter your payment info and then kick back and wait for the FedEx or UPS truck to arrive on June 24 as you chuckle reading about everyone else standing outside of a store that day waiting to get their device.

Apple Store: Alternately, you can do the next-best thing, which is to reserve your iPhone 4 at any retail Apple Store as soon as the doors open, no advance payment required. On June 24, you can just breeze into that same store, pay for it on the spot and take it home with you.

AT&T: Likewise, any AT&T retail store that’s selling the iPhone 4 (you can check availability for your local store on their website) will also let you pre-order when the doors open on Tuesday, although you’ll have to pay in advance. The good news is, you’ll have the option of either picking it up at the same store or having it shipped directly to your home or business, and we’re told it will arrive on June 24.

Best Buy: The big box retailer with the yellow tag on their sign will also start taking iPhone 4 pre-orders when the doors open on Tuesday (no online pre-orders); you’ll pay $50 down, which will get you a gift card in the same amount that you’ll use toward payment of the device on June 24, when you’ll pick it up in-store. Best Buy will actually call you a few days before to set up an appointment to pick up the handset, so you won’t have to stand in a long line to get yours.

RadioShack: While all of the above options also applied to the iPhone 3GS last year, RadioShack is a new option for the iPhone 4 launch day. Saunter into any RadioShack location starting tomorrow morning and plunk down a $50 deposit, then come back on June 24 with the rest of the dough to pick up your handset.

Walmart: Finally, there’s the house that Sam Walton built, who is the sole iPhone 4 retailer that’s not accepting pre-orders on Tuesday. However, if the other options aren’t available to you, you can still walk into your local Walmart on June 24 and grab an iPhone 4 on the spot, assuming there’s any stock left on hand.

However you decide to get your iPhone 4, happy shopping -- and don’t go too crazy waiting it out for June 24, okay?

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