New iPhone 3GS, Costlier Than You Think
June 12th, 2009 | by Pallavi Dinesh |
While everyone was elated at the news from Apple on Monday that a newer, faster version of the wildly popular iPhone would be launched as the iPhone 3G S, once things settled down it has been a totally different story. Simply put, the prices indicated  by Apple & AT&T for the new iPhone 3G S are for new 2 year contracts. Those prices being $199 for the 16GB and $299 for the 32GB.
In the press release from Apple about the phone, they have cleverly put that those prices apply only to “Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.”
This broken down really means that a lot of existing customers are simply not going to be eligible for an upgrade if they have the current model, iPhone 3G in their possession.
Angered AT&T customers have taken to Twitter petitions (twittions) and calling AT&T reps and visiting stores. Interestingly customers are being told  that they (AT&T) have no control over the price as Apple has been the one to set it from the get go.
So, here’s the low down… for existing AT&T customers with an iPhone 3G it seems that if you want a new iPhone 3G S come next Friday, your best bet is to talk to an AT&T representative on the phone or in the stores about your existing contract and your current situation. Or visit the Apple website for more information… however be warned that it might not be correct.
Case in point, customers are reporting that they will have to indeed pay a much higher price in order to upgrade to the new iPhone 3G S model. For the 32GB iPhone 3G S Apple’s website says you will have to pay an additional $200 (so that means the phone will cost you $499) but in stores the reps are saying that the cost will actually be $699. That’s an additional $200 and way to expensive. In-store reps, of course, don’t know what’s on the Apple website and say they are going by what AT&T has dictated down to them.
Also, I wonder if this confusion is going to hurt pre-orders…
3 Responses to “New iPhone 3GS, Costlier Than You Think”
By kim on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply
Yet another reason to go with the Palm Pre. I have been an absolute loyal Cingular/ATT customer for over 11 years and am under no contract with them at this time. I’ve been on the fence as to whether I want to change service providers or not since I’ve had a really great experience with ATT. However, the more (and more) I hear about the horrible marketing promotions of ATT (albeit indirectly) and Apple (directly). The less and less I want to keep with ATT or get an IPhone. I’ve had my phone for 4+ years now and it’s definitely time for a new one but the more I hear about ATT/Apple the more I want to go with Sprint or Verizon and with Palm or Blackberry. It’s just not worth the hassle (or the money) to have to shell out big bucks for being brand loyal.
By pallavi dinesh on Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
I wonder how much Apple is really dictating price and if AT&Ts hand are really tied as they make it seem.