var json_comments = new Array("

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June 9, 2009 1:52 PM

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Luckily there isn't a huge overcharge for us original iPhone owners, however during an attempt at pre-ordering I was charged $18x2 for random fees.
I know a few people who have the pre already and they are happy with it, however I don't know anyone who is dissapointed with the iPhone. And in non major urban areas I believe AT&T has better coverage.

4 replies

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barty

June 10, 2009 5:58 AM

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@hewhoroams: They'll drop both fees if you call and ask, but I think it is asinine that they charge them in the first place. When I transferred my number back into my name from my former employer, they dinged me for $18. For what? After I called the people in my corporate office to release the number, I did the rest of the process online.

I just wish they'd stop nickeling and diming people to death with these fees, which are probably 100% pure profit.

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EndlessMike

June 9, 2009 2:47 PM

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@hewhoroams: @pecan 3.14159265: Yeah, I have an original iPhone and didn't really feel the need to upgrade to the 3G, but am getting a 3GS since it actually has new features in addition to the 3G. If I had a 3G, I wouldn't upgrade, though.

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June 9, 2009 3:42 PM

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Same situation here, it's sitting in my cart right now as I debate to find out if I can get it without $36 worth of fees at an apple store.

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June 9, 2009 2:47 PM

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@hewhoroams: I've had sprint for a long time and while i can say that their customer service and many other things have gone to shit, mostly since they acquired nextel, I can say that sprint has excellent coverage. I live in a rural area and have traveled all across the country with sprint and I think I've only seen my phone go into roaming once because of the area, and my contract came with free domestic roaming anyway. That being said the one time I was roaming was in San Antonio... on a train to arizona... and at the end of the month the bill said I was roaming in mexico city and because of their now awful customer service it took FOREVER to get straightened out -_-

","

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June 9, 2009 1:54 PM

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I'm getting a Pre. Screw AT&T and their behind-the-times network (no MMS or tethering for a few months? I forget which year this is!).

Sprint, of course, isn't that much better.

6 replies

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anduin

June 12, 2009 5:54 AM

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@Cocoa Vanilla:
I dont get the hype about these phones either, mom had one, gave it to me and got herself a new one.I used it for a few months and got PO'd at it so often that I sold it. Seriously, I don't know if I like the whole idea of packing a wannabe PC in my pocket who's network actually sucks

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Sean Masters

June 9, 2009 3:09 PM

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@Cocoa Vanilla: 3G when the Japanese are prepping for 4G and Korea is shooting for 5G by 2012? Screw America and its behind-the-times networks!

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wgrune

June 9, 2009 3:34 PM

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Those countries are a fraction of the physical size of the US. That is why our cell networks are behind and why we don't have fiber optic internet in many areas.

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WeAre138

June 9, 2009 3:07 PM

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@Cocoa Vanilla: Agreed. I had iphone, hated it and gave to girlfriend. She hated. Now we are very happy with a g1 from tmobile.

The Pre looks sweet too, but like you said - Sprint isn't much better. Too bad Pre is exclusive with Sprint for, what, a year?

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Gramin

June 9, 2009 2:34 PM

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@Cocoa Vanilla:

Try the Samsung Omnia on Verizon's network. I love it. I'm not sure what all the hype is about the iPhone. It's got a slightly larger screen than the Omnia but that's it. The Omnia has a 5MP camera, video recording capabilities, tethering and all the other goodies. Now, if only the Samsung i8910 was in the States. That's a beast of a phone. 8MP camera, HD recording, HDMI port...

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June 9, 2009 5:20 PM

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@Gramin: Meh, I've pretty much decided on the Pre. Multitasking looks awesome! I just applied for the Mojo SDK - hopefully I'll get that and I can start developing on the Pre as well. :)

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ivealwaysgotmail10

June 10, 2009 4:24 AM

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@Cocoa Vanilla: I really is a sick phone, I dont know how to better say it other than they really nailed the \"organic\" feel, The cards are simply natural feeling, sliding them around it fun, you really start to feel like your playing with active cards on a table and it really makes a difference in functionality and productivity.

","

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June 9, 2009 1:54 PM

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I have nothing to contribute regarding the iPhone, but I was charged the $18 upgrade fee when I re-signed my contract & upgraded my phones. I called AT&T & asked them to waive the fee, and they did. Without a fight. Without even having to provide much of a reason, actually. I told them that I didn't know what the charge was for; when they explained it, I said I didn't like it. And then it was gone.

2 replies

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GMFish

June 9, 2009 3:36 PM

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@summerbee: You make it sound like AT&T did you a favor. They didn't.

\"Why do you have my wallet?\"

\"Do I have your wallet?\"

\"Yes, it's in your hand, right now.\"

\"I guess I do have your wallet.\"

\"Can I have it back.\"

\"Sure.\"

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sn1per420

June 9, 2009 4:28 PM

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@GMFish: Well seeing as how the $18 upgrade fee is something that ATT informs you of at the time of upgrade, they are doing you a favor by waiving it. Somehow I doubt they'd do the same for iPhone owners, since they've already created more expensive data plans for them.

","

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June 9, 2009 1:56 PM

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\"...because if you currently have an iPhone and more than 6 months left on your contract, you'll have to pay $417-$517 for the newer model.\"

Um, yeah. That's how every cell phone company in the US works. You sign a contract, you get a subsidized phone. When the contract is up, you can get a new phone at the subsidized price. If you want a new one before that time, you pay more. How is this confusing?

6 replies

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SimplySinful

June 11, 2009 3:25 PM

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@ophmarketing: @ophmarketing: @Justin Duke: and pray tell what is the cost of that monthly device vs. buying a $5.00 compass and being done with it?? ATT rips off customers cause they fill that you can afford the phone, you can afford to pay more for the service to operate the phone....HaHaHa. Apple and ATT are eating this all up. Quick, upgrade and send them more money..LoL

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June 9, 2009 2:27 PM

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@ophmarketing: It's not, unless you're an Apple fanboy with a sense that you're entitled to every new piece of Apple hardware the instant it comes out.

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Real Cheese Flavor

June 9, 2009 2:26 PM

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@ophmarketing: I thought when you're renewing your contract you got a discount on a new phone but nothing nearly as good as the deal you get when you're a new customer.

At least that's the way it worked with Verizon and their \"New Every Two\" plan. Sprint seems to do the same thing too.

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Gramin

June 9, 2009 2:36 PM

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@Real Cheese Flavor:

Actually... on Verizon's network, you can get a new phone every year. If you get a new phone at the one year mark, you'll get a $50 discount. If you wait until the two year mark, you'll receive the same discount as if you were a new customer.

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Doug81

June 9, 2009 2:53 PM

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@Gramin: I was told that they will let you upgrade up to a year early for a $20 charge.

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June 9, 2009 3:41 PM

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@Doug81: When I worked for Sprint, their deal was after one year you got $75 off the NON SUBSIDIZED phone price, which meant even the cheapest phone would set you back more than $100 out of pocket.

Needless to say, not many people went with that option.

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Justin Duke

June 9, 2009 1:59 PM

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@ophmarketing: I've been wondering the same thing. It's like people have never had a cell phone plan before.

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acknight

June 9, 2009 2:09 PM

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@ophmarketing: Really. This is nothing even moderately new in the world of subsidized phones.

Notwithstanding, it was pointed out that most will be eligible for the standard upgrade pricing (significantly lower) once they hit the 1 year mark on their contract. The iPhone 3G hasn't even been out for a year (will be in July for most), a point at which few if any carriers in the US will ever give you the subsidized pricing when you're in a 2 year contract.

","

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 1:58 PM

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Meh. I just got an iPhone 3G and I love it. The new features of the 3GS are pretty awesome, but I'm in no hurry, especially since I get the 3.0 upgrade for free anyway, which handles a bulk of the features that I wanted. Original iPhone users can upgrade pretty cheaply as long as they actually qualify for a phone upgrade.

The reasoning behind the higher price for anyone with more than six months left on their contract is because users typically aren't eligible for phone upgrades until about 4 or 5 months before their contract end date. So if you are eligible for an upgrade soon, it'll coincide with the last few months of your contract date and you can just wait a little while longer before you upgrade.

6 replies

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

June 10, 2009 6:38 AM

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@pecan 3.14159265: If you purchased the 3g Iphone after May 9, you have until June 14th to get a price difference credit on it for the difference in the old price vs. the new.

And if you pre-order the new phone before June 18 and you purchased a 3G after May 9, you can exchange it on June 19 when the new one comes out (AS LONG AS YOU PREORDER!)

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wcnghj

June 9, 2009 6:53 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: If you are within the first 30 days, I'd return it.

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 9:11 PM

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@wcnghj: I won't be within the first 30 days by the time the new iPhone comes out. So I will stick with my 3G because I can't go without a cell phone because I have no other phone number.

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June 9, 2009 3:07 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: Yes, but I think people are upset because there was a better upgrade option offered for 2G => 3G. When I upgraded I still had 16 months left on my contract, and this is what AT&T did: They tore up my current contract, made me sign a new 2 year contract, and gave me a subsidized price on a new 3G. That's what people want, I think.

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Matt McDougall

June 9, 2009 7:05 PM

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@zonk7ate9: Yeah but that's because the 2G didn't carry the $199 subsidized price. If I recall it was closer to $400.

Personally I'd like to see an option where you can pay, say, an extra $50 and be eligible for subsidized upgrade at 15 or 16 months, versus 18.

I also think Apple should maybe pay more attention to this with their release cycle and go to a 1.5-year cycle for new iPhone models.

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June 9, 2009 2:54 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: Good points.

I think it's important to remember that smartphones, for better or worse, are far more subsidized than the regular phones. This is predicated on the supposition (sorry) that smartphone customers will pay more for their services AND that the phone will be kept for a longer period of time.

Here in Canada, Rogers has \"spending\" tiers that can qualify you for an upgrade as early as 12 months into a contract and 24 months on a smartphone.

I don't understand why people treat these companies like charities. I agree that they already make enough money to let this stuff fly and that, for the most part, they're rotten, money grubbing operations to the core.

Ultimately, all this stuff is a luxury, no matter which way you put it. I'd still claim that I couldn't run my business without my iPhone. Honestly though, I'd probably manage. And as much as I would like voice control, a video camera and *cough* a compass (maybe not), as Pecan Pi said, most of the 3.0 features are freely available to anyone with an iPhone.

","","

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uptown

June 9, 2009 2:07 PM

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This doesn't make any sense. You're suggesting this advice for people under contract w/ AT&T that aren't eligible for the subsidy for the new iPhone. Won't these same people be hit with an ETF if they jump ship from AT&T to Sprint?

3 replies

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June 9, 2009 2:13 PM

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@uptown: Yeah, I realized the dumbness of my initial post shortly after publishing. I un-published and changed it, so hopefully new readers will never see the original, nonsensical suggestion.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred

June 9, 2009 2:15 PM

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@Chris Walters: Your original headline still shows on this page. It's changed on the main page though.

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Jim Topoleski

June 9, 2009 2:12 PM

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@uptown: Yep, though they qualified it with the 6 months thing.

Regardless its a stupid argument, they want the iPhone just suck it up and wait it out. God forbid you not have CUTTING EDGE for 6-12 months.

I love my mac, but the one thing that ALWAYS pisses me off, is that Apple fans tend to have this complex where they NEED to one up each other with their machine.

","

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Jim Topoleski

June 9, 2009 2:09 PM

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Seriously I can't believe this is a issue. I have never in my entire cellilar history at Version been able to just GET the upgrader price without my contract being up.

Its insane that people think they CAN get it. I understand why the iPhone to iPhone 3G was different, one was subsidized, the other was not. But these are TWO subsidized phones now, totally different ballgame.

Why is that concept so foreign to some of these people?

3 replies

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 2:11 PM

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@Jim Topoleski: I'm not sure either. But, I've always been able to get the upgrade price without my contract being up. The latest case in point is that I'm eligible for an upgrade on a phone in two years, but at least 4 months before my contract is up. I'm still under contract at that point, but I am eligible for an upgrade.

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June 9, 2009 2:44 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: That's how it works. I've always been eligible a few months before my contract is up to get a new phone. 4 months seems about right. They use it as a way to get you to sign a new contract. You can't change phone carriers for 4 months ... but looky! Eligible here for a brand new phone!

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Etoiles

June 9, 2009 2:38 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: I have the same: eligible for an upgrade in November, but my contract expires in the March after.

Not sure why there's that 4-month difference but it doesn't matter to me anyway (my fiancé and I use the same provider so we're rolling into a more cost-efficient family plan).

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June 9, 2009 2:49 PM

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@Etoiles: There's a 4-month difference because if you get a new phone, you sign a new contract. If they wait 'til the end of your contract, you may decide to get that new phone with someone else.

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sponica

June 10, 2009 5:14 PM

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@nakedscience: which is why the deals get sooooo much better the closer you get to your end of contract date...my sister waited for her verizon contract to expire and got a free phone.

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max_k

June 9, 2009 2:11 PM

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Yeah, except that if you don't qualify for upgrade pricing, it's probably because you've got a current iPhone 3G, which means you're still in year one of your current two-year contract. That means you're on the hook for the ETF, which is going to make the numbers a lot less attractive.

I think what's going to happen here is that most iPhone users are going to tough it out 'til 18mos when they're eligable (and let's face it the 3GS isn't that revolutionary anyway, so this is going to be pretty tolerable), and the fanboys are going to pay for an upgrade right now.

The Pre is pretty interesting, but if there's any network crappier than AT&T's 3G disaster, it's Sprint, so at this point, I'm not sure I'd want to go from bad to worse.

3 replies

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wowcro

June 12, 2009 2:50 PM

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HA, funny how people forget that. If they wanted a no commitment relationship they should have paid full price for their 3G... The same attitude got this country and the rest of the world with it into economic trouble. Signing a contract and getting a discount only to bitch and complain later.

As someone who had both AT&T and Sprint I disagree with people saying that Sprint's network is worse. But I guess that also depends on where you live, commute, work, and vacation at. Personally, I had a bad experience with AT&T and I would never go back. No matter how cool their phones are.

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Cant_stop_the_rock

June 9, 2009 3:58 PM

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@max_k:
Yeah, exactly.

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June 9, 2009 2:41 PM

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@max_k: Yeah, how did they manage to ignore that little fact? Maybe it's under the guise that it will pay for itself on a cheaper plan...

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Skin Art Squared

June 9, 2009 2:14 PM

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I really don't understand all the \"outrage\" going on. Why does everyone feel they MUST upgrade, simply because it was released/announced? Wasn't your current phone perfectly acceptable to you before yesterday?

I'm still using iPhone Gen 1 and have no desire or intention of upgrading at any time now or in the future because guess what: it works perfectly fine. If anything, I may consider downgrading back to a regular old cheap cell like the Razr. All this ridiculous ongoing expense for these phones is just wasteful. 20,000 apps of which 19,997 are completely useless and unnecessary, the rigid monthly plans, and most of all the overblown hype about every last detail, that really isn't that great to begin with.

Whether it's a 1st Gen or 3Gs, or any other phone for that matter, cameras in cell phones SUCK for anything but emergency traffic accident insurance photos. Want to take good pictures or video? Buy a CAMERA.
The 3Gs is faster you say? Okay... really? So what? How \"fast\" does your cell phone need to be? Will it allow you to dial numbers faster? Is it going to drastically increase your daily production to have your home screen load .00001 milliseconds faster than yesterday?
The compass? Really? You need a compass so badly that life cannot continue without upgrading to this phone? If you need one so badly, go to any sporting goods store and buy a compass for $5 bucks, or do it the soldier's way and use your watch.

Anyway, the point is I think there is way too much mania going on with all these phones, and this crazy notion that you MUST upgrade on every release at any cost is just insane. For most people I truly believe it's more about status with peers than any real new functionality.

A lot of people seriously need a reality check.

5 replies

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Justin Duke

June 9, 2009 2:46 PM

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@BZMedia: So now I've just added a compass and a camera to my pockets that already have a phone in them.

It's obvious you're not a potential customer, but applying your set of values and what features you attach worth to as the universally correct way to purchase a cell phone is just arrogant.

Not everyone cares about status; some just like being able to have everything they want to carry on them in one device.

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Skin Art Squared

June 9, 2009 3:21 PM

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So then you should get rid of your computer and your toaster since they're not fully built into your phone. That's a ridiculous counterpoint considering that \"compass\" and camera are not anywhere close to being worth the cost of upgrade.

You also potentially have in your pockets / backpack at any given time, your keys, sunglasses, wallet, lighter, etc. You can consolidate further by downloading the Zippo lighter app I suppose, but I doubt it's going to actually replace your real lighter.

You do understand that the compass in that phone is a novelty and should be treated as such, right? How is your iCompass going to help you if you're lost in Death Valley, where I'm reasonably sure there is no AT&T coverage. Or perhaps somewhere more real-life like say, the windward side of any of the Hawaiian Islands where there is no coverage.

You're not fooling me dude. You're weakly trying to justify the fact that is very much IS status for you. All status.

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June 10, 2009 3:41 AM

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The digital compass is probably magnetic and does not depend on the network, so it could potentially get you out of a sticky spot in the boonies if you had a general idea of which direction civilization was. Of course, there's always the question of how to recharge the phone.

There are solar chargers available, however, and there are apps that allow you to store and view topo maps on the device. Since the GPS on the phone is partially hardware based, you can still get some reasonably accurate positioning when out of network range. I'd still bring a regular compass and paper maps as a backup, however, just in case.

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June 9, 2009 4:04 PM

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@BZMedia: \"You do understand that the compass in that phone is a novelty and should be treated as such, right?\"

Er. What if you're on a hike? There are plenty of places to hike in Arizona where cell phone coverage exists.

You're annoying.

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Skin Art Squared

June 9, 2009 4:18 PM

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Are you going to trust the contractor you hired to remodel your kitchen using the iPhone bubble level app? Of course not, because it's a novelty. Meaning, it's not a precision instrument to be trusted beyond showing your drinking buddies how cool you are with your overpriced phone. It's a phone. Sheeeeesh.

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Matt McDougall

June 9, 2009 7:36 PM

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@BZMedia: \"Are you going to trust the contractor you hired to remodel your kitchen using the iPhone bubble level app? Of course not, because it's a novelty. Meaning, it's not a precision instrument to be trusted beyond showing your drinking buddies how cool you are with your overpriced phone. It's a phone. Sheeeeesh.\"

Newsflash. Snipers use iPhone apps to calculate bullet trajectories and compensate for wind, etc. Doctors use iPhone apps to care for patients. It's a useful little device, and even if you only find three of the 50,000 apps useful, there are plenty of others who get a lot more out of it.

Why the hate for the bubble level app? Yeah if you use it to build a house, you're a moron, but it's handy for doublechecking that picture you just hung really is level, especially without having to trek out to the garage for the real level.

And while you're trolling here mocking everyone for their overpriced phone...let's not forget that you've got one, too. Though if you hate it so much, maybe you should go back to a RAZR.

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SimplySinful

June 11, 2009 3:26 PM

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@Matt McDougall: Gosh darn....I would hate to go to a doctor and have to depend on the iPhone and especially that ATT 3gnetwork to save my life.

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sashazur

June 9, 2009 8:20 PM

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@Matt McDougall: I didn't read any hate about the bubble level - you're basically saying the same thing as BZMedia, that's it's not a serious tool. Think of the iPhone as a swiss army knife - it's value lies not in being a perfect replacement for 'real' knives, scissors, tweezers, etc. - but rather in the fact that it is 'good enough' for many uses and much more convenient.

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Matt McDougall

June 9, 2009 9:39 PM

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@sashazur: No, that's exactly my point. A swiss army knife isn't a perfect replacement for those \"real\" tools, but that doesn't mean it deserves to be dismissed as a novelty.

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Sean Masters

June 9, 2009 3:10 PM

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@Justin Duke: this still doesn't change the fact that any customer \"outrage\" is completely ludicrous.

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Drowner

June 9, 2009 2:31 PM

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@BZMedia: Exactly! Though we shouldn't get too miffed at the people who are dying to get the latest and greatest product. Because of their ravenous consumerism I don't think I've paid more than $250 for any electronic I own and that includes an XBox360 and laptop computer. Paitence is a virtue. Excuse me while I go get my $99 Iphone...

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June 9, 2009 2:16 PM

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@BZMedia: couldn't agree with you more. The phone is targeted at new users, IMO. I actually consider this a favor to existing iphone users who don't have to feel obsolete, even after 2 years of owning the thing.

","

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June 9, 2009 2:14 PM

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I really love my jailbroken 3g, there's nothing compelling about upgrading to the 3GS. Going from a mediocre camera to a slightly less mediocre one? No thanks, I'll use my DSLR I've had for years (d50). Video? I've had it for a while... not with autofocus but on any cell phone, it's more of a gimmick anyway.

Compass? If I'm lost, I'll use GPS. If I plan on doing any orienteering, I'm not going to rely on an iphone, I can tell you that.

Voice command. That's a cool feature. That makes you look like a dumbass.

What else is there? oh a faster processor. oh, ok. $400 so I can load email 1.3 seconds faster.

/snarky rant

4 replies

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Drowner

June 9, 2009 3:15 PM

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@lpranal: My boss uses voice command ALL the time. It helps with that whole 'not careening off the road while calling me' thing. It's a godsend.

In fact she just told me to get her the new one.
I however will still be getting my own, personal regualr 3G.

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June 9, 2009 4:27 PM

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@Drowner: I have a boss that also will absolutely not buy a phone without voice command. There's clearly two types of people; people that couldn't live without out it, and people would never use it.

@nakedscience: you're just bustling full of useful, relevant information also I see.

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 2:18 PM

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@lpranal: Okay...so don't upgrade. The point is, if you are at that special time in which you can be free of your contractual obligations to one cell phone carrier, you can head on over to Sprint. Current iPhone users can stay put and wait until they're eligible, and pay a lower price.

And comparing the 3G (or 3GS) camera with a DSLR is ridiculous. You definitely can't tuck that camera into your pocket, can you? The camera on the iPhone isn't amazing, but you obviously shouldn't compare it to a DSLR that cost more than an unsubsidized iPhone.

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June 9, 2009 2:30 PM

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@pecan 3.14159265: ok, you talked me into it. I'm not upgrading.

And actually, I have fit my DSLR in my pocket before. Granted it was a cargo pocket on pants I use specifically for photography for that reason. But if I want to take pictures, I bring my D50. Only place I haven't brought it is swimming (though they make housings for it). My point was only that while the prospect of a shiny new toy is nice, it boils down to basically something \"new\" that doesn't really offer me, as a 3G user, anything of value, especially relative to the price.

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June 9, 2009 2:46 PM

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@lpranal: I don't think anyone really cares about your camera usage.

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B

June 9, 2009 2:20 PM

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How much is the ETF for getting out of your contract early? Cause it looks like it'd be cheaper to pay that, then sign up for new contract and get a 3GS.

2 replies

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June 9, 2009 2:31 PM

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@B: AT&T actually keeps customer records after you end your contract with them. And, knowing AT&T, they would probably tell you you could do this, and then when you try to buy the phone as a \"new\" customer, stick you with the unsubsidized price.

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 2:26 PM

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@B: An ETF is (I think) $175. But if you cancel, then resign, your phone number will be out there in the stratosphere and they're going to see right through your scheme if you're trying to port your number to a new plan on AT&T and the last carrier listed is AT&T and it says you had a plan a week before you arrived to get a new one.

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June 9, 2009 2:26 PM

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You can get a new phone at any time, for the contract price - just destroy your existing phone. You really think if your phone gets stolen/dropped in a lake you have to pay $500 bucks to get a new one? If that were the case, wouldn't the logical solution be to cancel your contract, pay the fee, and start a new contract for much less?

Quit making shit out to be so complicated when it's not.

5 replies

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

June 10, 2009 6:54 PM

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@th1nwhiteduke: I may want to point out the obvious fact here that Iphones ARE INELIGIBLE FOR WIRELESS INSURANCE.

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Joe Reilly

June 9, 2009 2:43 PM

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@th1nwhiteduke: Uhhh, I guess you've never broken your phone before. That is not how it works at all.

If your phone gets stolen/dropped in a lake, you DO have to pay the $500 to replace it, unless you have insurance. This is why some people pay $60/year + $50 deductible on phone insurance- to avoid the $500 hit when they break their phones.

You are always free to cancel your contract I guess (even without a broken phone), but then you get hit with the ETF + the subsidized phone price + new contract activation + you may lose your phone number since they may not let you port it from themselves.

Quit making shit seem so simple when its not.

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June 9, 2009 2:53 PM

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@Joe Reilly: Right, get insurance, then drop your phone in a lake

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Joe Reilly

June 9, 2009 3:03 PM

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@edwardso: Ahh there's the missing step!

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June 9, 2009 3:22 PM

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@Joe Reilly: I should point out that replacement phones are REFURBISHED in most circumstances and not new.

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June 9, 2009 2:50 PM

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@Joe Reilly: I guess I have, otherwise I wouldn't have brought it up. It's exactly how it worked with two dead Blackberries and one dead iPhone. Never any phone insurance. Extended contract two years from that date, paid the promotional phone price each time in 2004, 2006, and 2007, but did have to pay an activation fee each time.

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June 9, 2009 8:43 PM

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@th1nwhiteduke: Blackberry replaced my wife's Pearl when it it went balls up less than a year after she got it. Not cracked, not waterlogged, just decided to stop working. If it had been after one year, though, we'd have been SOL.

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Joe Reilly

June 9, 2009 2:45 PM

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@Joe Reilly: Also wanted to toss in there that I agree with the other commenters that the Apple fanboys are being ridiculous about wanting a subsidized phone in the middle of their contracts.

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MeOhMy

June 9, 2009 2:26 PM

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You're totally underselling the G1.

One of the main reasons the G1 is clunky is that it has a REAL keyboard and I don't mean the cramped, barely useable keyboard on the Pre. It's awfully hard to put a keyboard that size in a tiny package.

Basically with the G1 you get everything - physical keyboard AND onscreen keyboard, focusing camera, video recording, MMS, cut/copy/paste. And it's cheaper.

Pretty much the only reason not to get a G1 is the lack of good native Exchange support (thought there are add-ons) if that's a key factor for you.

If you don't care to have a physical keyboard, there are/will be other Android options, but at the moment none so cheap.

5 replies

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Riley Brewer

June 10, 2009 3:14 AM

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@Troy F.:
While I do like having a physical keyboard, the G1's isn't great. The keys are recessed and the chin makes my right hand feel awkward-especially when charging. You're right that the keyboard size is ideal. The good news is that several Android phones are being released this year, all of which look better than the G1 so far. I'm looking forward to trying out the HTC Magic and the Samsung i7500.

Android's user interface isn't up to the iPhone's, but it is very good. The ability to run background apps is the real killer feature. I get tweets, emails, weather alerts and more in real time, without having to cycle through apps tapping refresh.

I'd like to point out that the G1 is $159 not $179 through T-mobile and only $97 from Amazon.

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golddog

June 9, 2009 9:47 PM

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@Troy F.: Love Android, love HTC, but the G1 is clunky, or inelegant at the very least (and this is coming from someone who's still using an HTC 8525). I'm waiting for the two dozen 2nd gen androids supposedly coming out in the 2nd half of this year...

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chiieddy

June 9, 2009 3:03 PM

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@Troy F.: Some people prefer the keyboard others don't. The cupcake upgrade to Android eliminates the need for a physical keyboard with the OS and several new phones are coming out this summer, including the G2 from T-mobile and several slimmer models (no physical keyboard) from other carriers, including AT&T.

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Kimberly Gist-Collins

June 9, 2009 4:12 PM

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@chiieddy:
The G1 is awesome. It has everything I need and more. I chose it *GASP* over an iPhone.

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June 9, 2009 2:42 PM

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@Troy F.: I dunno, I had a G1 for a week when it first came out and was left really unimpressed with the hardware. I can't say enough good things about Android but the camera was more or less unusable (hopefully firmware upgrades have fixed that since last November), the thing squeaked when I flipped it open to type, and in the open position the top section was at the slightest angle instead of parallel to the keyboard section.

They were all small things, but they really bothered me, esp. on top of the phone just being fairly large to begin with. I was hoping if anything, it would have felt overbuilt due to its size; instead it felt kind of cheap.

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chris_l

June 9, 2009 2:29 PM

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If it makes it any easier, just take into consideration how next year your 3GS would be obsolete due to Apple's forced obsolescence software. First MMS on 2G and now this:

[www.apple.com]

Show battery percentage:

Tap Usage and turn Battery Percentage on to display the percentage of battery charge next to the battery icon in the upper-right corner of iPhone [b](iPhone 3G S only).

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June 9, 2009 2:29 PM

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Don't Harsh my buzz, man! You don't own me!

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basilray

June 9, 2009 2:30 PM

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I'll stand pat with Windows Mobile 6.1/6.5, thank you very much.

1 replies

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Black-Cat

June 10, 2009 7:56 AM

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@basilray: The only way to go. Actual multi tasking being one big reason.

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June 9, 2009 2:39 PM

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@Jim Topoleski: Which is ironic when you consider the longevity of Apple machines. My 5-year-old iBook runs fine. It whimpers when I use anything resource-heavy, but is still operational.

1 replies

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greenunicorns

June 9, 2009 3:40 PM

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@Laura Northrup:

\"consider the longevity of Apple machines\"

There is no such thing. Any computer that has high specs now will run well 5 years from now. Any computer that has medium to crappy specs now will run crappily 5 years from now. What operating system you choose (windows/mac/linux) is irrelevant.

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June 9, 2009 2:45 PM

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The people going \"WAAAH TOO EXPENSIVE\" are just as bad as the people gong \"WAAAH I WON'T UPGRADE YOU ARE STUPID IF YOU ARE GETTING AN IPHONE!\"

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D0rk

June 9, 2009 2:57 PM

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I have an AT&T contract that doesn't end until April 2010(AKA more than 6 months). According to both AT&T and Apple's websites, it only costs me $200 for a 3GS.

I do have the original EDGE iPhone though, but I haven't found any wording that says this only affects people that have the 3G iPhone. It all makes it sound like this is any AT&T contract.

1 replies

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Matt McDougall

June 9, 2009 7:39 PM

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@D0rk: The original EDGE iPhone wasn't subsidized to the same degree as the 3G. Which is why it was so easy for 1G owners to upgrade to the 3G last summer.

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June 9, 2009 2:58 PM

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I don't know why this is such a big surprise. It happened last time with the 3G iPhone. SURPRISE! Apple products cost an arm and a leg!

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Ronin-Democrat

June 9, 2009 3:01 PM

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please be clear if you have an iphone 3g you have these problems.
If you have an original iphone, you were not subsidized and can get a shiny new jesus phone.

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cc82

June 9, 2009 3:10 PM

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Do you really need a new f-ing iPhone after just one year? The 3GS doesn't even add much to the 3G. Fanboys are ridiculous. It's the same damn thing with any cell phone if you want to buy a new phone in the middle of a contract... for gods sake, it even this phone costs $300 unsubsidized:
[www.wireless.att.com]

1 replies

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chris_d

June 9, 2009 3:46 PM

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@cc82:
I agree. But this isn't unique to the iphone; it's just a more extreme case of new cell phone fever.

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sifr

June 9, 2009 3:10 PM

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There's also fun things like California regulation 1585, which requires the seller to charge sales tax on the full, unsubsidized price of a cellphone. So that nice $299 32Gb 3GS? Yeah, you'll be paying more than $60 in tax for it.

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Unsolicited Advice

June 9, 2009 3:10 PM

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iPhone 3G's purchase price is \"subsidized\" and recouped over the course of the contract with AT&T. Consumers are focusing on the upgrade discounts offered to iPhone 1.0 consumers, a handset that cost $399 up front and was not subsidized by the carrier. They were expecting/hoping to receive similar breaks.

That nuance doesn't matter to consumers! AT&T and Apple created the assumption that discounts were going to be offered for Apple loyalists.

Now, some of that \"subsidy\" is really just \"profit\" that AT&T is expecting over the lifecycle of an iPhone purchase and 2-year service agreement. Some of it is \"profit\" that Apple receives during the sale of the phone. If they want to continue to be profitable they will more carefully manage consumer expectations going forward, and a good start would be sacrificing some of that current profit to retain what has been a rabid, high-margin customer base.

Why do that? Cellphones, you see, aren't operating systems or mp3 players. There isn't one slow, easily-mocked competitor or an untapped consumer base here. This is a highly-penetrated market with many agile competitors who have begun to react with high-quality iPhone alternatives. One of the big analyst fears about Apple's performance in the cellphone market was how they would react to quality competition that is more willing to war on margins in exchange for market share. Those fears were transcended by a truly amazing device, but success will prove to be short-lived if they don't wise up.

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WeAre138

June 9, 2009 3:11 PM

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Apple fanatics are used to get paying 3x what something is worth. They're not going to go to a Pre; it's just not trendy to talk on a phone or use a laptop in public that doesn't have the Apple logo on it.

2 replies

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 3:24 PM

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@WeAre138: Three times what it's worth? The Pre is the same cost as the 3G was before the price drop. And the Blackberry is at a comparable price. So just because it's Apple means that its users are foolish? Tell that to Blackberry users who paid a similar price for their phones.

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Black-Cat

June 12, 2009 7:10 AM

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@pecan 3.14159265: \"So just because it's Apple means that its users are foolish?\"
YES EXACTLY. Thanks for making the truth known, tool.

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jamesdenver

June 9, 2009 3:12 PM

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re: I really don't understand all the \"outrage\" going on. Why does everyone feel they MUST upgrade, simply because it was released/announced? Wasn't your current phone perfectly acceptable to you before yesterday?

Agreed. I read the new features and thought \"cool\" - but saw no need to upgrade at all. I bought my 3G when it came out and love the maps, easy texting, internet, and all the other features.

The additional features the 3GS offers won't be enought to want me to fork over hundreds of dollars.

The switch from a Razrphone to a 3G last year made me happy enough.

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cc82

June 9, 2009 3:25 PM

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Geez Apple just updated their Macbook Pro line, I guess they should given everyone who bought one last year a 75% discount on a new one? This is the logic that Jesus-phone disciples are spewing.

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June 9, 2009 3:51 PM

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i think that is such a novel idea, if you think something is too expensive, don't buy it.

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Haroludo

June 9, 2009 4:00 PM

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I have a Family plan and our bill is about $86 with two phones with no data or texting. I would like to know (short of going in or talking to a rep) how much more my bill would increase monthly if I got the phones upgraded to the slightly older 3G iPhone.

I qualify for the $99 phone upgrade option, but for I figure I would be outlaying $280 initially (2x(phone+upgrade+activation). I can save for that, but I am curious how much the required data plan will jump the monthly bill.

Do the old phrase \"If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it\" apply?

3 replies

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pecan 3.14159265

June 9, 2009 5:12 PM

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@Haroludo: I did the same thing you're looking to do, except I was a new customer. This is what we did. Aside from the cost of the phones themselves, this is what you're looking to pay a month:

Voice plan (whatever you want)
Unlimited data - $30 a line
Unlimited family text - $30 (covers both lines)

if you only want to upgrade one phone, you only need to pay $30 for the data plan and $15 for unlimited text, if you want it.

So if you pay $90 now, expect to add another $45 to $60 onto your contract, depending on whether you want data for one phone or two. Keep in mind also that you cannot have an iPhone without a data plan. They won't let you do it. Also, keep in mind that if you don't use your phones constantly, you may be able to switch to a lower minute plan (and rollover will take care of any time in which you may use your phone more).

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Black-Cat

June 10, 2009 7:58 AM

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@pecan 3.14159265: Also keep in mind the iphone is a pile of shit; but tools love 'em.

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Christie Porter

June 9, 2009 4:44 PM

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You are required to add the $30 a month data plan when you use an iphone, and I would assume that you would want texting once you got your iphone.. if so it's $20 for unlimited, $15 for 1500 texts and $5 for 200, per month. Soo yeah... it's pretty expensive.

AKA why I got the Samsung impression instead. And I love it.

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June 9, 2009 4:33 PM

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@undefined: @Real Cheese Flavor: Not with the iPhone- as far as the iPhone goes, the \"upgrading\" and \"new customer\" prices are identical. They've always been that way, and if you read the fine print on Apple's website, that's how it's continuing to work.

These people aren't mad because they're not getting the same price as a new customer. They're pitching tantrums because they're under the mistaken impression that they're entitled to instant gratification and contracts apply to everyone but them. This pricing scheme is the same as every other cell phone on the market. I'm a little disappointed that Consumerist is fanning the flames when there's nothing different or crazy about this at all, except that it's Apple's phone. I would have expected better, frankly.

2 replies

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June 9, 2009 6:51 PM

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@FaustianSlip: Well that right there is a problem. A current customer, who already out of contract or eligible for an upgrade, should receive a loyalty discount.

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Real Cheese Flavor

June 9, 2009 5:03 PM

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@FaustianSlip: Thanks for the info that the \"upgrade\" and \"new customer\" prices are the same when you're renewing a contract. I'll file that away for future reference.

Like when my contract expires since the differences between the 3G and 3GS seems to be pretty trivial and anything I'm vaguely interested in (MMS and Tethering) is apparently part of the 3.0 Software.

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June 9, 2009 4:45 PM

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If you don't use more than 450 minutes a month, and don't use over 200 text messages (like any iPhone owner would, there's 100+ free apps to do so for free), the iPhone plan pricing is better.

I'll be upgrading my 1st generation iPhone to the 3GS at launch, unless prior to that day Spring announces they will support data tethering via the phone at no additional cost. (unless it's a fixed one-time price for an application to do so)

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June 9, 2009 4:53 PM

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\"Think The iPhone 3G S Costs Too Much? Don't Buy It\"

That headline rocks my face off with its wisdom, simplicity and clarity. Bravo.

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June 9, 2009 5:34 PM

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Why are people confused as to why iphone users are not happy about the fact that you can not upgrade at launch for a promo price. When the 3G was introduced, original iPhone users were allowed to upgrade to the new phone at the promo price. For the reason, it would be logical to think they when the 3GS is introduced, they would be allowed to again upgrade the the promo price.

It has nothing to do with Apple fans feeling like contracts do not apply to them, it has to do with the precedent set last year who the intro of the 3G.

2 replies

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Nunya B

June 9, 2009 6:35 PM

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@wallspray: The only reason the original iPhone users were allowed to upgrade was because the original iPhone was completely unsubsidized. There was no exception made to AT&T's rules that allowed original iPhone users to upgrade. They didn't set a \"precedent\" at all last year that would in any way make iPhone users think they were eligible for special treatment.

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June 9, 2009 9:40 PM

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@Nunya B: This is false. I got a free samsung phone in January 2008 when I signed up for an ATT contract. Then I purchased an iPhone, and then in August, only 7 months into my contract, long before I was eligible for an upgrade, I was allowed to upgrade to the iPhone 3G because I was an original iPhone user.

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INsano

June 9, 2009 6:37 PM

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Insanity abounds for ATT to do this to it's Iphoners. I'm currently on Sprint and was awaiting the Pre, only to find out, that becuase I have two phones, I'd have to upgrade them BOTH to everything plans if one were to have a Pre. In this new bizarro world, AT&T would actually be cheaper for me with 1 Iphone and 1 regular phone becuase the Iphone can be used in regular shared minute family plans whereas the Pre cannot. To upgrade one of my plan's two phones to the Pre, I'd either have to upgrade both to everything plans or have separate 1 line plans for the two phones. Either way, it works out to more than a shared minute plan+iphone req. data.

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dfx

June 9, 2009 6:45 PM

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Actually, you can get a G1 for $139 (plus 10% off the monthly bill) via the freelancer's union discount trick courtesy of consumerist itself. All people have to do is sign up with freelancer's union (free) and get the aforementioned discount.

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Dan Seitz

June 9, 2009 7:09 PM

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I was with you until you recommended the Pre. I thought you were joking. Great software, but the hardware is terrible. It feels cheap and unoriginal.

Plus, there's that cheese-slicing video. The Pre's a lawsuit/recall waiting to happen.

Oh, and it's also on Sprint, who lose a million customers every quarter while their competitors all gain a million customers or so. That should tell you something right there.

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Anonymous

June 9, 2009 7:15 PM

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My problem is that AT&T sales reps didn't know of a fact anything was dropping in 50 days ago. Which is when I purchased my two 16GB iPhones. They actually said they hadn't been told anything, so I needed phones that worked internationally, so I purchased two, and then find out yesterday that newer models were dropped and the price for my phones was cut in half. Now they give some BS date of the 9th of last month as a cut-off for refunds. Color me pissed.

1 replies

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June 9, 2009 8:45 PM

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@RandiNobdobber: Even if they know, they can't say anything. The WWDC has been buzzed about for quite a while, though, and it was pretty much common knowledge that it would involve new iPhones, so...

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sashazur

June 9, 2009 8:23 PM

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I like the reality of not having a contract more than the fantasy of having an iPhone.

I have a basic phone to use for calling and texting, and I get my gadget jollies with an iPod touch (it's basically an iPhone without the phone or camera - but it still does pretty much all the other iPhone stuff if you're within range of an available WiFi network).

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Uncle Billy Time!

June 9, 2009 9:00 PM

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Get a BlackBerry on T-Mobile. Good hardware, good company, good customer service. Done.

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Black-Cat

June 10, 2009 7:56 AM

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Windows Mobile or nothing. Fuck the tool phone and it's legion of idiots.

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ZukeZuke

June 10, 2009 8:57 AM

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People are forgetting that Apple has the fanboys/girls trained to buy a brand new iPhone, MacBook, OS, etc. every 12 months regardless if the old unit is still good. Pure genius.

It sounds like I'm stereotyping, but from my experience, the fanboys/girls have the whole iSmug thing going on and hence a sense of entitlement. Why wouldn't they expect special treatment?

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SimplySinful

June 11, 2009 3:29 PM

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iPhone users are being ripped off. Expensive phone and ultra expensive plans. Shop and compare minutes and text and data plans and figure it out. If you can afford the plan to operate that silly phone then you can afford the buy the phone and quit complaining. Otherwise go get you a reg flip cell phone and a regular plan.

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