Who's ready for a sidewalk sleepover?
AT&T released price and on sale information for the iPhone 3G today. Earlier rumors of an early morning launch have come to fruition. The iPhone will go on sale at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, July 11.
AT&T also posted information on eligibility and pricing. As reported earlier, customers must meet eligibility requirements before AT&T will hand over a $199 and $299 iPhone 3G.
Customers who sign up for AT&T for the first time when they purchase their iPhone 3G and agree to a two-year contract are eligible.
Current AT&T customers who purchased an iPhone prior to July 11 and agree to a new two-year contract, are eligible for the subsidized discount. Other AT&T customers should check their account online to see if they are eligible for an upgrade discount.
Current AT&T customers who are not eligible for an upgrade can purchase the iPhone 3G for $399 (8GB) and $499 (16GB). AT&T notes that in the future, the iPhone 3G can be purchased without a contract for $599 (8GB) and $699 (16GB).
Apple hasn't released any information concerning their launch of the iPhone, although, it's highly unlikely they will deviate from the 8 a.m. launch time.
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 10:59pm
I'm not so sure I'd trust that "rep."
>"They're not selling the new iPhone at Apple stores?" and her response was "That is the plan as of this time."<
According to the Apple press release for the iPhone 3G:
"iPhone 3G will be available in the US on July 11 for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 8GB model and $299 (US) for the 16GB model in both Apple and AT&T’s retail stores and requires a new two year contract with AT&T for qualifying customers."
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/06/09iphone.html
>Also, she told me that the data plan IS remaining the same price ($30 a month) <
The current iPhone data plan is $20/month, not $30. Or they're not billing me for the correct amount on my bill.
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 11:00pm
The comment I was responding to disappeared, so my comment doesn't make much sense now, does it?
Roberto Baldwin
July 01, 2008 at 11:13pm
The comment has returned. Our spam filter gets a little overzealous sometimes.
-Robbie
Jason
July 01, 2008 at 8:06pm
I tried emailing this as a news tip, but the email kept bouncing back...
I just spoke to an AT&T rep, and she told me that at this time, the plan is to ONLY sell the new iPhone in AT&T stores. I asked for clarification, "They're not selling the new iPhone at Apple stores?" and her response was "That is the plan as of this time."
I'm guessing it's because you have to activate the phone in store at time of purchase, and the Apple employees aren't exactly versed in AT&T's rate plans. She did say that it wouldn't be as hard to get an iPhone as it was last year as they expect to have plenty of stock on hand.Also, she told me that the data plan IS remaining the same price ($30 a month) BUT no longer includes any messaging (you have to buy that separately as with other phones AT&T sells).
And finally, she told me that while the current iPhone has not been elgible for any corporate discounts on plan pricing, that new one WILL be elgible (this discount is still only available on the PLAN, not on the hardware).
iPhone 1.0 User
July 02, 2008 at 6:24am
The current data plan is $20, not $30. But I do like the fact that my $20 includes 200 messages. I'm not a big "text" person, especially when I have email in the palm of my hand - so I don't pay for extra messages (and never use all my 200 I get already).
As far as the new iPhone 3G - I'm in no hurry to get one. Not enough features to upgrade right now...My only problem is - I wanted to buy my Mother an iPhone for Christmas or something... now they are cheaper, which is great - BUT - activate in-store only - UGH!!! I guess no iPhone gifts for anyone now!!
Roberto Baldwin
July 01, 2008 at 11:12pm
I talked to an Apple rep who assured me that Apple will indeed be selling the iPhone in their retail stores. that's good news for me, because I dont want to stand outside an AT&T store when I could be outside an Apple store.
-Robbie
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 5:10pm
My current phone is not available for an upgrade, by my wife's phone is. Can I pick up an iPhone under my wife's account for $300 and swap SIM cards so the iPhone is registered under my number?
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 7:58pm
No because your wife is not under a iphone plan. Sorry :)
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 8:10pm
If you are both on some sort of family plan (or at the very least on the same account), they'd likely let you switch which number is assigned to which phone (if that makes sense), and THEN activate the iPhone in YOUR name. The iPhone is designed so that the SIM card isn't easily swapped out (sort of defeating the purpose of having a SIM-card capable phone, if you ask me).
Anonymous
July 01, 2008 at 12:16pm
OK. I can't find where I'm supposed to look to see if I'm eligible. Any clues? AT&T's site is horrible.
Andrew
July 01, 2008 at 12:37pm
Log in with your phone number and click on "upgrade phones" on the right. It will list any phones under your account and if any are eligible you should see "This line is eligible for equipment discount pricing when you sign up for a 2-year service agreement."
