iPhone - Official Thread
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elektrikluv
Member
B-Ri said:
Well it depends if your contract is up or not, I assumed that launch day buyers' contracts would be finished/in the last month? As you can upgrade if your contract is in the last month.
Tranced Shadow
Member
Ugh, O2 charging so much for tethering is just... Ugh.
£15 a month for 3GB? Why can't they just tack on a charge if you use it excessively instead (like over 30GB in 30 days or something)? Being charged so much to use the bandwidth you already pay for...
On another, perhaps happier note, my mother has been with O2 for years, and she thinks she can get some sort of discount for me if she signs me up? Would they usually offer this if I want an iPhone and she doesn't?
£15 a month for 3GB? Why can't they just tack on a charge if you use it excessively instead (like over 30GB in 30 days or something)? Being charged so much to use the bandwidth you already pay for...
On another, perhaps happier note, my mother has been with O2 for years, and she thinks she can get some sort of discount for me if she signs me up? Would they usually offer this if I want an iPhone and she doesn't?
elektrikluv
Member
Tranced Shadow said:
To the latter, probably not. Lots of dedicated o2 customers have tried to get discounts but they're really stingy when it comes to iPhone contracts, I guess because they can afford to be, being the exclusive providers and so don't have to worry about you going to another provider which is usually the reason why they give you a discount on a contract, when you threaten to leave.
permutated
Banned
Costanza said:
This man speaks truth. AT&T offered the most money for exclusivity, Apple just took the highest bidder. That's just greed on AT&T's side, good business practice on Apple's.
I *think* I qualify for a 30% O2 discount through work and it may be able to stretch to a few friends and families - as few people I know would want one I may have some discounts going spare to lucky gaffers, subject to the iphone qualifying for the deal, but I'm pretty sure the old iphone qualified.
Will know more next week on how it works etc.
Will know more next week on how it works etc.
elektrikluv
Member
kaizoku said:
Can I be put up for consideration for any spare discount you may have?
The upgrade pricing if you're a 3G owner begins at $299 (for another 8GB 3G). It's $399 for the 16GB 3GS and $499 for the 32GB. Comes with a two year contract. Contract-free, add another $200 to the price of the phone.
I might be eligible for an upgrade in April 2010. (my U.S. iPhone)
Sounds about right to me.
I might be eligible for an upgrade in April 2010. (my U.S. iPhone)
Sounds about right to me.
permutated said:This man speaks truth. AT&T offered the most money for exclusivity, Apple just took the highest bidder. That's just greed on AT&T's side, good business practice on Apple's.
Actually Apple's first choice was Verizon but they couldn't come to an agreement.
Marty Chinn
Member
Costanza said:
It's not just $10 or whatever the charge is for the line. You have to add the $30 data plan on top of that.
Wow, Softbank's iPhone 3G S plans are pretty damn good.
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/iphone/iphone_3g_s/
Under the "iPhone for everybody" campaign pricing for new contracts (lasting 26 months), the iPhone 3G S in Japan costs:
16GB - ¥11,520/~$117.43 (divided into 24 payments of ¥480/~$4.89 per month)
32GB - ¥23,040/~$234.64 (divided into 24 payments of ¥960/~$9.78 per month)
The normal iPhone 3G S price for non-eligible customers of the campaign are double for each respective model.
The existing 8GB iPhone 3G will continue to be a free phone with new contracts.
Softbank's iPhone plans are awesome. They offer free WiFi access at places like McDonalds and many coffee shops, on top of their wireless data plan being based on actual use. A Softbank iPhone contract can end up being substantially cheaper than an AT&T one.
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/iphone/iphone_3g_s/
Under the "iPhone for everybody" campaign pricing for new contracts (lasting 26 months), the iPhone 3G S in Japan costs:
16GB - ¥11,520/~$117.43 (divided into 24 payments of ¥480/~$4.89 per month)
32GB - ¥23,040/~$234.64 (divided into 24 payments of ¥960/~$9.78 per month)
The normal iPhone 3G S price for non-eligible customers of the campaign are double for each respective model.
The existing 8GB iPhone 3G will continue to be a free phone with new contracts.
Softbank's iPhone plans are awesome. They offer free WiFi access at places like McDonalds and many coffee shops, on top of their wireless data plan being based on actual use. A Softbank iPhone contract can end up being substantially cheaper than an AT&T one.
Copycat_Wannabe
Member
I know the 3GS is faster, but has the specs leaked yet?
MaizeRage25
Member
Any new customers have any luck reserving their 3GS's online?
elektrikluv
Member
MaizeRage25 said:
If you live in the UK, you can reserve it on the carphone warehouse website
Kung Fu Jedi
Member
Anyone complaining about the upgrade price while already under contract need to check prices on other similar devices as well. For instance, the Palm Pre is in the $500-$600 price range if you're not eligible for an upgrade as well. These are not cheap phones to make and sell, and the only reason they are remotely affordable is because of subsidization. In order for the phone companies to make any money back out of of that subsidization, they need to hold you to your contracts and can't afford to tear them up every time you're ready to buy a new phone.
jonnybryce
Member
Gizmodo is going on the offensive for the whole price argument. I expect this, as they defend Apple to the death, they spin it as AT&T's fault and being fair as if Apple isn't in bed with AT&T and had no power to negotiate things like price with them. Not to say this is unfair, but Apple isn't blame free in my book.
His point is pretty much "This is how it is, oh well." I understand both sides, but feel like his is right because there are contracts and AT&T or Apple don't owe you a discount because you bought the last model.
Whatever, it's messy. Just surprised how angry Gizmodo is getting at it's readers. Last time this happened, Gizmodo said "Tired of Apple news? Shut up." and went on to say how it is the big news of the moment so deal. They later changed it to "Listen up" but it's nice to see Gizmodo still has suppressed hatred and anger for their readers.
Sure, it sucks to be me and pay almost-full price for the iPhone 3GS, but that's how life is. You don't get a reduced price on your new notebook just because you bought the old model a year ago. You don't get reduced price on cars, or anything else.
The fact is that the $199/$299 price tag for the iPhone is the result of AT&T'sor any other carrier, since the situation is the same all around the worldsubsidy. Without subsidyand tying you to a new two year contractthe iPhone is not different from something like the Nokia N97, which is $700 unlocked. Or the contract-free, unsubsidized iPhone 3G itself: The iPhone 3G costs $770 and $877 unlocked for the 8 and 16GB versions.
...
Or better yet: Don't buy a new phone. Who cares about "new." Does your iPhone 3G work now? Yes? Then get the free iPhone OS 3.0 and enjoy the speed boost from optimization and the rest of the apps. In this economy, you will do yourself a favor.
In the meantime, do the rest of the world a favor and stop whining about what you are entitled to. We don't live in your pretty me me me world.
His point is pretty much "This is how it is, oh well." I understand both sides, but feel like his is right because there are contracts and AT&T or Apple don't owe you a discount because you bought the last model.
Whatever, it's messy. Just surprised how angry Gizmodo is getting at it's readers. Last time this happened, Gizmodo said "Tired of Apple news? Shut up." and went on to say how it is the big news of the moment so deal. They later changed it to "Listen up" but it's nice to see Gizmodo still has suppressed hatred and anger for their readers.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
Clockwork said:
So can you go into a little more detail with how this worked for you? I'm assuming you went to the AT&T store, did they give you any problems? Did you straight up say you were returning it for the new version or did you say something else to return the phone?
My wife bought her phone on May 23rd, and she'll be within her 30 days when 3GS launches, so I just want to get a feel for how the process works and what we should say to the AT&T reps.
edit: Also, I'm assuming you get the same value (so since she paid for the $299 16GB, she'll be able to apply that to a 32GB 3G S). How did pre-ordering the new phone go, did they just apply what you paid to the new phone so you won't pay anything on the 19th?
robertsan21
Member
Question regarding 3.0 and the old 3g model of iphone
I know the 3gs is faster than the current 3g model, but will 3.0 speed up the 3g model or will that only happen on the 3gs?
I know the 3gs is faster than the current 3g model, but will 3.0 speed up the 3g model or will that only happen on the 3gs?
SuperPac
Member
AT&T sucks for other reasons than the price. Their service is pretty goddamn terrible. I've never had so many dropped calls or lost signal as much as I have with AT&T and the iPhone 3G. Never.
But the bellyaching about the price is, IMO, kinda ridiculous. This really is no different than what happens with any other subsidized phone when you want to upgrade and you're not eligible. So what you have to spend an extra $200 on the 3G S. Most likely you can eBay or sell your old 3G phone for at least $200. (That's what I *may* be doing shortly.) It's the same thing I did with my first-gen iPhone when I bought the 3G. If you didn't want to be locked into the subsidized contract then you should've bought w/o a subsidy last time.
But the bellyaching about the price is, IMO, kinda ridiculous. This really is no different than what happens with any other subsidized phone when you want to upgrade and you're not eligible. So what you have to spend an extra $200 on the 3G S. Most likely you can eBay or sell your old 3G phone for at least $200. (That's what I *may* be doing shortly.) It's the same thing I did with my first-gen iPhone when I bought the 3G. If you didn't want to be locked into the subsidized contract then you should've bought w/o a subsidy last time.
N Coward Parody
Member
Anyone with a 2G iPhone tried the 3.0 firmware leak yet? How's it work?
And where's the link anyhow? Can't seem to find it...
And where's the link anyhow? Can't seem to find it...
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
robertsan21 said:
It's supposed to make things run faster on the regular 3g models as well. I'm going to give 3.0 a try for a while before deciding whether to pay for an upgrade or wait it out for next year's model when I can get a full subsidy.
Maybe you entered the wrong phone number or something, dude. I just entered my day one (June 29, 2007) 1st gen iPhone and it said I qualified for the $199 pricing on the 3GS.B-Ri said:
Theoretically, my two year contract doesn't end until June 29, 2009 but I'm betting since I own an unsubsidized 1st gen iPhone, that's why I qualify.
Lord Error
Insane For Sony
Has anyone tried updating the Ipod Touch with the 3.0 GM? Last time I think it was possible to do it.
Kung Fu Jedi
Member
Just reserved my 3GS on the Apple website for pick-up from the store next week. Looking forward to playing with the new model. Watching the video on it, I love that you no longer see the checkerboard pattern when scrolling around web pages. Seems like a smoother experience all around.
Clockwork
Member
VanMardigan said:
Well, my situation was a little different as I got my iPhone 3G at Walmart on May 11th (didn't plan on it, gf had actually sent me to the store for some Excedrin..lol)
It went like this:
1)I took the phone back to the store and told them that I saw the 3GS announcement and that I wanted to return the 3G.
2)They took my SIM card out of my 3G and put it in my RAZR
3)They processed my return through the register and I got the $200 I paid (8GB 3G price) credited back to my debit card.
4)I went home and called AT&T and explained I had just returned my 3G (due to the 3GS announcement) and that I needed to remove the phone from my account, correct my plan to a non iPhone plan, and have my upgrade eligibility reinstated since I no longer had the phone I upgraded to. This took about 10 minutes and I was all set. The rep let me know the changes she made and said I was good to go.
5)I jumped on the Apple website and submitted my order for the 3GS.
Now if your wife got hers at the AT&T store it should work the same way, but I think she will be saved a phone call as they should be able to do everything right there in the store and take care of the 3GS order. The only other difference is I think AT&T charges a 10% restocking fee.
Jugendstil
Member
Well, I'm no fan of AT&T, but their policy of using subsidized pricing on cellphones is pretty common practice. The whole reason I didn't upgrade from my OG last year when the 3G was released was because I didn't want to be locked into another 2 year contract when the upgrade didn't seem significant enough. Now that I've had my OG for nearly 2 years, I'm ready. I'm sure I'll be pissed next summer when the new iPhone Pro or whatever is announced and I'm stuck with the 3Gs, or if Apple finally wises up and dumps AT&T and I'm stuck in my contract for another 20 months, but that's the way it goes. Honestly, if I wasn't already an iPhone user and totally accustomed to all of the great features the phone has, I'd think long and hard about signing a new contract with AT&T. It would almost be worth it to get an iPod Touch and just stick with a basic cellphone from a more reliable provider. Almost.
thewhiterabbit
Member
Kung Fu Jedi said:
I think that is a feature of 3.0 in general and not just 3Gs.
On my 3G with 3.0 I still occasionally hit the checkered pattern but its after a lot of scrolling and even than its only for a split second.
It is night and day. Reading Gaf you can scroll to the bottom of a full page and not hit the pattern till the very end. And by time you realize there is a checkered screen it is gone. No more waiting around.
I am sure the 3Gs is much better in this respect but overall my 3G is faster, more stable, and just smoother on 3.0.
jonnybryce
Member
Kung Fu Jedi said:
This would be awesome if true. The Pre made it seem like this was the case as well but the checkerboard-while-I-render is in full force, it was disappointing.
Kung Fu Jedi
Member
thewhiterabbit said:
Ahh... good to know. I figured it was in a large part due to the faster processor and more memory on the GS.
One great thing about 3.0 is that all iPhone owners get an upgrade next week.
VanMardigan
has calmed down a bit.
Clockwork said:
Thanks for the info. It's not as smooth a process as I had hoped, but we'll give it a shot. I wonder if instead of a refund (which I'll have to spend again in a few days), they can just transfer the credit at the store for a 32GB pre-order. I don't mind the restocking fee. I'll consider that a charge for her using an iPhone for two weeks. :lol
thewhiterabbit
Member
Manics said:
I have it and it works great. I love it. I am still noticing lil things that make me go ohhhhh that is nice.
Just noticed they redesigned the recent calls. I love it.
N Coward Parody said:
Yup. Installed it last night. Works beautifully. No problems. Phone seems faster. (it was also an unlocked phone on an unsupported carrier, and it did not affect that)
EDIT: And yeah, I love the added info in recent calls. Its about damn time. Many times you'd have no idea what # someone called from.
Aight, I thought they had a pay-as-you-go data plan. Any word if Softbank is going to use the new options available to third parties (IAP, bluetooth, linking hardware and software etc) to add other features standard in the Japanese mobule scene?kpop100 said:
Read the previous pageManics said:
The are working on it butthewhiterabbit said:I know nothing on jailbroken or unlocked iphones when it comes to 3.0 gm sorry.
That some one else will have to help with
Could you give me more info on the your carrier situation. What are the disadvantages?Slurpy said:
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