AT&T Wireless has finally gotten around to posting official pricing information about the iPhone 3G. Of particular note is a “coming soon” announcement of a contract-free iPhone 3G for $599 for the 8 gb and $699 for the 16 gb.
For those interested in buying an iPhone 3G for unlocking and use on another wireless network, some crucial terms of the process are still unclear. It’s possible AT&T will require buyers of unsubsidized iPhone 3Gs to activate phone service with AT&T in order to purchase the phone. This could put a damper on the very profitable unlocking business, but not completely destroy it.
*Update* iLounge has confirmed that current iPhone users do qualify for the subsidized pricing, regardless of how long they’ve been on contract. Via iLounge:
According to Mark Siegel, Executive Director of Media Relations with AT&T Mobility, only “[c]urrent iPhone customers, new customers, and current non-iPhone AT&T wireless customers who are upgrade eligible will get the iPhone 3G at the $199/$299 price points.”
Here are AT&T’s current rules to qualify as “upgrade eligible” (for AT&T customers who don’t own an iPhone):
- 24 months of cell service since the activation of your current phone, or
- 24 months of cell service since your last upgrade.
Or,
- 21 months of cell service with contract but no upgrades, and have a data plan and standard voice plan that costs between $68.99 or $98.99 a month, or
- 12 months of cell service and pay more than $99 a month for data and standard voice plan.
If you pay less than $68.99 month, you have to wait until month 21 of your contract to get the upgrade pricing, and you have to pay an undisclosed fee (rumored to be around $20).
Helpful Links:
Wirefly.com details AT&T Upgrades.
iLounge “Not all AT&T customers eligible for $199 iPhone 3G.”
We’re all anticipating the arrival of the 3G iPhone soon. Similar to someone about to have a new baby, there are a few steps that should be take in preparation.
The first is to check if AT&T Wireless’s 3G network is accessible in your area. There’s no use preparing for something you can’t use. Most metropolitan areas are covered, but if you live out in the boonies, you may currently be out of luck. To check your area, travel on over to AT&T’s coverage map. You’ll see a link at the bottom that says “View 3G/Mobile Broadband coverage (in select areas).” This will bring up a list of cities sorted by state. Click on your city and a heat map will appear showing strength-of-signal coverage.
If you are going to replace the previous version of the iPhone, it may be time to plan what to do with the old one. You could give it as a gift to a loved one or keep it as a backup phone. You could jailbreak it and use it as the world’s coolest Skype phone (note: you may soon be able to do this officially soon thanks to the SDK). Or, you could sell it on eBay. There are used iPhones going for around $300 on eBay right now (but probably less once the new version comes out).
You could also prepare yourself spiritually for the 3G iPhone. Fasting will clear your mind in preparation for fighting the ADD that faster 3G speeds will surely bring. It will also save tons of money on food, which, in turn, will help you afford the iPhone and its, perhaps, more expensive data plan.
If you have any ideas on how to prepare for the iPhone, leave them in the comments section.
Links:
MacWorld’s no-so-glowing review of Fring (Skype app for jailbroken iPhones).
Will the 3G iPhone’s Data Plan Cost More?
*Updated* AT&T has announced the 3G data plan for the iPhone will cost $30 a month, which is $10 more than the $20 EDGE plan of the original iPhone. This cost is in addition to a voice plan, which starts at $39.99. For complete updated information on pricing, go here.
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