Comments on: iPhone 3G S!

By: Michael (Admin)

Michael (Admin) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:42:49 +0000

Uh, ok “iphone fan”, you’ve posted your URL… no need to do it twice! :/

By: iphone fan

iphone fan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:09:59 +0000

Just love the new 32gb iPhone. Ultimate gadget for me. Nice post. Thanks.

By: iphone fan

iphone fan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:51:11 +0000

Just love the new 32gb iPhone. Ultimate gadget for me. Nice post.

By: Michael (Admin)

Michael (Admin) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:29:20 +0000

I called AT&T yesterday to try and get the scoop on what does and does not constitute an “early” (read: expensive) upgrade and I was told that you have to be 18 mos. into your 2 yr contract to get the subsidized pricing. Well I guess that’s better than having to wait until the 24th month!

What this means is that there’ll probably be a big run on 3G S in December when all the gotta-have-it-now iPhone 3G contracts become 18 months old… assuming the lady I talked to was giving me correct info, that is. I find it hard to trust anyone I talk to in an AT&T call center anymore after asking the same question to some other guy who said “we don’t know, you have to call Apple”. Pfffft!! Ok genius, I’ll do that. Groan.

By: Swain Valasek

Swain Valasek — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:51:30 +0000

Compare this to the PC video card market which also follows an ‘incremental hardware refresh’ model. They always charge full price and rarely is there ever a rebate or discount for turning in your old card; been that way for YEARS.
I can’t really blame AT&T for not wanting to eat the cost of these phones again but hey, they’re the ones that set the freaking precedent in the first place by allowing everyone (not just new customers) to get the 3G at the subsidized price!
Apple stands to gain the most from moving a ton of 3G S hardware so makes the most sense for them to offer a turn-in program but anything like that just seems extremely unlikely. Best bet is to get it for the $399+18 deal and try to get $200 or more for your old phone on eBay or wait for the 1 year contract anniversary when you can get the subsidized price. Anyone want my 3G for around ~200?? =)

By: PL

PL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:51:57 +0000

So, actually, there are 3 pricing schema:
For 32G:
$299 for new or end of contract
$499 for 6 months to end of contract
$699 for buying a new brand one

By: Michael (Admin)

Michael (Admin) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:31:01 +0000

I believe that refers to how close you are to the end of your existing contract. If you’re about to complete your existing contract, then you’re “qualified” to upgrade your phone. If you’re a month or more away from contract end, then you’re not qualified.

Personally I think it’s a shitty way to do business, but that’s the way it is.

By: PL

PL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:18:25 +0000

What is consider as “non-qualified upgrade”?

By: Consumer #545464

Consumer #545464 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:53:47 +0000

I get a regular scheduled upgrade October 19.. then i will be able to get the 32gb for 299. which is fair to me. but 499 for the 32gb.. no thanks. I’m just gonna wait till October to upgrade which by then it will probably be $100 cheaper and possibly a larger model or color or something might be released then too. Also the AT&T network bugs that ALWAYS happen the first 1-6 months after release should be taken care of too.

By: Consumer #545464

Consumer #545464 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:47:08 +0000

Well before you say its a great deal…

If you are “a valued AT&T customer,” AT&T offers an “early iPhone upgrade with a new 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee.” The price? $399.00 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S and $499.00 for the 32GB iPhone 3G S.

It gets worse: For non-qualified upgrade customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).

399 and 499 is abusive and 499, 599, and 699 is rape. ALSO the data plan is now $30 a month ten dollars more than before..

By: Michael (Admin)

Michael (Admin) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:43:28 +0000

My limited imagination thinks this new iPhone sounds pretty cool but I kind of have to agree with both of you… Apple could probably make the iPhone smell like chicken if they really tried, but unfortunately planned obsolescence is what makes the tech world go round

By: Swain Valasek

Swain Valasek — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:47:02 +0000

Apple is in business to make money so I expect this type of ‘hardware refresh’ cycle to continue for a long time until a truly ‘next-gen’ iPhone comes out (kind of ironic considering even the iPhone 1st gen isn’t exactly ‘old junk’ yet). For me the price of the 3GS is right and the features address the most important shortcomings of the original design…works for me.