07/01/2008, 10:10am, EDT
Tuesday, July 1st
AT&T releases official iPhone 3G plans
AT&T has released some of its first official pricing for the iPhone 3G. Those new to AT&T, or simply eligible for an upgrade, can pay the lower $199 and $299 prices for 8 or 16GB phones; those who are technically too early to qualify for an upgrade must spend $399 or $499. In either case a two-year contract is required, along with an $18 upgrade fee. "Coming soon," according to the company, will be no-commitment options, priced at $599 and $699.
The central AT&T Nation plans are being divided into $70, $90, $110 and $130 tiers, all with unlimited data. The first provides 450 daytime minutes, as well as 5,000 night and weekend minutes and an overage rate of 45 cents. Moving up to $90 grants unlimited night and weekend calling, along with 900 daytime minutes and a cheaper 40-cent overage rate. That rate falls to 35 cents under the $110 plan, which likewise boosts daytime minutes to 1,350. Finally, the $130 plan offers unlimited calling.
FamilyTalk plans generally range in cost from $130 to $360, providing from 700 to 6,000 minutes. Also present is a $260 unlimited plan, though this bumps the additional iPhone line cost from $40 to $130.
Texting plans, which are now separate, are $5, $15 and $20 per month for 200, 1,500 or unlimited individual texts. Under FamilyTalk, costs are 20 cents per individual text, or $30 for an unlimited number.
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Do I get lube too?
From AT&T to iPhone customers: BEND OVER!
$15 more
So it looks like now the price is up $15 on the old iphone if you want the 200 text messages. $75 for the base package with text is getting a little high.
Free the iPhone
Apple needs to free the iPhone to other carriers. The plan I have now with my 2G iPhone is perfect for my usage and was contemplating upgrading to 3G but I'll pass now that I see how much AT&T is gonna gouge its customers. 200 text came with the iPhone plan and now they want to make it an additional charge. FUCK you AT&T!
waaaa!
Man, you get charged the same amount as they charge all their other 3G customers, and you people cry like a baby (and I still don't see the point of upgrading if you already have an iPhone, as there's only one or two features in the new one even worth mentioning, GPS and 3G, and many won't even find them worth paying for).
You should be happy AT&T isn't charging you more for the privilege of being able to use an iPhone (since many have speculated that Apple is charging AT&T more than average for the iPhone subsidy, you think you should be passed on that, too).
Wow
I wasn't in the market for an iPhone anyway, but these pricing plans definitely turn me off of even considering it in the future. Looks like I troll Ebay a bit harder for 2.5Gs to jailbreak and stick on a prepaid plan or a different carrier. Good jorb, AT&T.
technically too early?
What does "technically too early to qualify for an upgrade" mean. My wife's iPhone died after a water accident last month. Instead of getting a replacement for $250 I have been waiting to just get her an new 3G iPhone. Am I technically qualified (bought June 29, 2007) or am I going to have to pay $399 or $499?
Free the iPhone
From AT&T to iPhone customers: BEND OVER!
Apple needs to free the iPhone to other carriers.
I love how you make it sound like Apple's 'stuck' with AT&T or something, and AT&T is the one screwing you.
You should be pissed off at Apple as well because they willingly got themselves into this venture. There is no reason they couldn't just sell the iphone. They want to be stuck with AT&T. They don't care what it costs you as much as they want the phone cheap so you people will buy it so they can then make more money off of you over time.
Current AT&T customers
Really, it's simple to see if you qualify for an upgrade or if you have to pay the "early upgrade" fee. Just login to your AT&T account online and you'll see a section about your current phone with an upgrade link, if you qualify.
Upgrade
"The plan I have now with my 2G iPhone is perfect for my usage and was contemplating upgrading to 3G but I'll pass now that I see how much AT&T is gonna gouge its customers. 200 text came with the iPhone plan and now they want to make it an additional charge. FUCK you AT&T!"
It's been extensively published that current 2G iPhone owners can upgrade to the 3G model and keep their same contract at the same price. All you have to do is sign on to a new 2 year agreement. That's 2 years from when you sign up, not 2 years on top of your existing agreement.
Texting
The additional charge of a minimum of $5 for text messages for 200, or $15 a month for 1500- with nothing in between- is criminal. SMS is sent in the standard "Where's my phone" pings- and costs AT&T nothing.
Plus- the "Half the price" ad price is now total BULLSHIT.
Apple should be sued for false advertising by the attorney general.
With an extra $10 a month for service, and an extra $15 for the same number of texts- this is $25 a month- times 24 or $360
Note- the price of fixing your 2.5g phone is now $199