Annoyed that you aren't eligible for the iPhone 3GS upgrade pricing of $199 and $299 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively? You might be in luck!
AT&T has decided to extend this price to those eligible for a device upgrade in July, August, and September. The pricing should be available to qualifying customers as of tomorrow. Good thing the pre-orders are sold out, right?
I, unfortunately, am not up for an upgrade until December. Guess I'll be waiting.
Click through for the statement from AT&T.
Importantly, we want our customers to better understand our wireless device upgrade program. Like most U.S. carriers, we offer a variety of phones that we sell below our actual cost when customers agree to sign service agreements. In general, the more a customer spends with us, the quicker they become eligible for a price break on a new device. For example, iPhone customers who spend more than $99 a month per line with us generally are eligible for an upgrade between 12 and 18 months into their contract.
We also currently offer early upgrade pricing only for iPhone 3G S and iPhone 3G.
All of that said, we've been listening to our customers. And since many of our iPhone 3G customers are early adopters and literally weeks shy of being upgrade eligible due to iPhone 3G S launching 11 months after iPhone 3G, we're extending the window of upgrade eligibility for a limited time.
We're now pleased to offer our iPhone 3G customers who are upgrade eligible in July, August or September 2009 our best upgrade pricing, beginning Thursday, June 18.
This statement reads as: 'We just spent two weeks getting calls non-stop from angry Apple fanboys complaining that they can't get the discount price, but we still aren't going to extend this discount to everyone. Also, you still can't have MMS or tethering because we didn't do our homework.'
Some blogs are reporting that this actually means that customers that purchased the iPhone 3G in July through September of 2008 are eligible, but that's not how it reads to me.
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Thundercracker
@leahy
is there an unlimited everything plan on AT and T? My gf is on the phone constantly, so limited minutes dont work for us. I know you dont work for them, i just thought you might know dude
Phuk5tar
Er...having the EDGE phone automatically gave me eligibility, even though...
Phuk5tar
This kinda sucks for me, as I bought the EDGE iPhone for 85 bucks from a friend (nearly 3 months into my 2yr contract), it was stolen while I was at work this past December, my job's insurance covered it, and allowed me to get the 3G for free (after compensation). However, when I still had to buy the phone, I got the upgrade price because they told me having the EDGE phone automatically, even though I had a contract for less than 6 months. What's going on?
Metal_Madman
"to come out" = comes out
Metal_Madman
@ SlickyFats
I agree, this is how it's always been. I just bought my first iPhone this past December and am I bummed? Yeah, a little bit. But the way I see it is so what, this is already the 3rd version of the iPhone and I just foresee Apple releasing a yearly upgraded version of the device. Looks like I just have to wait until version 5 to come out to upgrade.
Shockwave562
was going to pay 499 on friday and now i'm only paying 299? Brilliant! thank god ATT did something right. If Verizon legally gets iPhones in 2010 I'll be happy to pay my broken contract fee to switch
SlickyFats
What makes iPhone owners so special? I can't beleive existing iPhone owners are getting so furious over the upgrade policy. This policy has been in place long before the iPhone came around. You don't see everyone else crying like babies when the newer model of their phone comes out 6 months or a year later. They have to wait to they are eligible to upgrade or pay a premium. iPhone owners need to get off their high horses and just deal with it like everyone else.
pumathehero
tomorrow, AT&T will have their site's upgraded so you can see if you do fall into that category. i really hope the "if you bought an iphone" part is true and not the "if you're due for an upgrade" part. i fall into the prior...
Smartguy81
add the cost of replacing the device to the homeowner's claim
cmdluke
This whole thing sux for me cause i bought a 3G in december, then it got stolen when my house got broken into. now i'm just screwed and stuck with a crappy 2 year old phone.
Wildcard273
Cool, I'm up for an upgrade in July, but I'm not currently an iPhone (do have AT&T though). I'll wait until 7/1 for the hub-bub to die down.
Smartguy81
no big deal. i signed the contract for a subsidized price. gotta live with it. it really is a horrible thing to complain about.
Displaying 1–12 of 12