Well, I just got off the phone with an AT&T customer service representative (who was very sweet, btw) and it looks like there’s some good news for some current iPhone owners about subsidized pricing that just came down the pike today.
AT&T has extended the following rad pricing:
- $99 8g 3G
- $199 16g 3GS
- $299 32g 3GS
…if you meet the following criteria:
- You purchased a 3G iPhone between July-September of ’08
- Your monthly plan is at least $99
- You have been a responsible bill-payer
- You are alive
And that seems to be pretty much it. The rep, Andrea, also said that AT&T had no idea that a whole new phone was going to be released until WWDC last week so they initially scrambled to put the pricing plan together that bummed everyone out. With all of the AT&T bashing that’s gone on lately (of which I am THOROUGHLY guilty) I think this is a good move on their part. Though many bash-opposers said that we were whiny and should just shut up and live with our contracts, I feel like it’s necessary to point out that it is VERY common to upgrade mid-term. The carrier’s upside is another full two-year commitment, so it’s not like we were asking for something and not giving anything in return.
In any case, the pricing rage was just the head of the anger pimple after learning that a few of the iPhone’s most coveted features wouldn’t be available in the States for a while (MMS & tethering), so this move to placate a large number of us is a much-needed panacea. It demonstrates the company’s good will and should keep us happy until those aforementioned features become available (though I’m not so sure about the reality of tethering).
Now, for the first time in a while, I can sincerely say, “Thank you, AT&T.”
Italicized Note: I will be reviewing said unit on Monday’s “Attack of the Show.”
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Chris! You always provide us with valuable info on the iPhone.
I am alive.
Awesome. So if I bought my iPhone October of 2008, and pay 90 dollars a month for it, I’m screwed.
Oh well, at least the info is here for the lucky ones.
Good news as well on the AT&T front. I work for one of their call centers, and although its not supposed to be public knowledge, Both Tethering and MMS with be ready for the end of June, according to our corporate training. Yes its not at the start, but it’s not going to be a long wait ether! Alas as far as we are being told at this time, there will be no extra charge for MMS, While tethering with be inline with other services prices
#4 is a no go for me so I guess I’m out of luck.
What a relief. I was going to pay it though…
I bought by 3G- oh it’s coming to haunt me the 3GS commercial just came on no joke- okay I just bought my 3G in April so I am not eligable for the lower prices GREAT
Kinda sucks that since I have the lowest pricing plan that alone disqualifies me. Ah well, I can survive with the classic for another 6 months I reckin.
Rad prices indeed.
My bill is about $83, so… T_T
As long as they goddamned well get to work on getting that MMS and tethering working, then yeah, bully for AT&T. You’re only as good, as a service provider, as how you’re treating me this past week versus how your competition would be treating me, and that ‘s just life in the cell service provider bidniss.
I bought my 3G in April of this year. So I get…..nothing.
http://lifehacker.com/5295452/enable-tethering-and-mms-on-your-iphone-30
This isn’t 100% right. Methinks the CSR was misinformed. It’s not if you bought a 3G in July, August or September. It is if you are eligible for an upgrade in July, August or September.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=13745
“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.”
Considering how the 3G came out in June, I’m not sure how you’d be eligible in any of those months. I bought mine in June and am not eligible until December. Oh well, it’ll make a nice Christmas present instead of a birthday present.
Something totally outta context.. you are so cute. had to say it.
The AT&T rep that said they had no idea a whole new phone was being released is either severely misinformed or blatantly lying. Everybody knew a new phone was being released. And you can bet your life that Apple’s domestic carrier knew about it.
I don’t believe for a second that the brass at AT&T had now clue a new iPhone version was coming out until last week.
Wait, so how much will I have to pay for the new iPhone if I haven’t already bought one? :’D
Just a word of warning.. especially to those of us with higher state taxes: The tax is calculated on the unsubsidized price. So dont be shocked if your tax comes out to be $40-$75 bucks per phone. Or just drive to Oregon.
I got my first iPhone yesterday, had some issues at first with AT&T while signing up, seems i was in their system twice, and they ‘blocked’ things till they could verify I was who I said I was.. probably started thought when it took 30 minutes to get a rep on the line after being put on hold at 7:10am and waited the 30 minutes, then the Apple rep talked to the AT&T rep, then I talked to the AT&T rep and everything was cleared, had to answer some security questions, then the Apple Rep started the process over of signing me up, and the same message popped up. So we had to call AT&T again and get put on hold again. Finally got through again and was connected to a supervisor and they ‘saw’ there were duplicate accounts for me for some reason and the ‘second’ one was still blocked, so they had to unblock and delete the duplicate account. After that things went fine and I got my phone. Love it.
only if i had att where i live
i like the one i have
i got my 3G phone in July.. first day of release…
Both Apple AND AT&T today would not let me have subsidized pricing.
i think im gonna move so i can get an iphone.
on second thought
You are alive…….really????
how did deltus and scottjohnson make there pictures pictures of them
Chris, Michael Jackson was a pedophile! Good bye to bad trash! Stop defending him in your twitter stream!
i would retweet this but i dont have an iphone
I was so pissed when I learned I’d have to pay full price for the second year in a row for an iPhone, I made this video and uploaded to their Facebook Fan Page. Apparently you get SCREWED if your on a family plan! My local AT&T came back and threw me a bone, but I still had to pay $499 for the 32g 3Gs (but I GUESS that’s better than $699). http://www.viddler.com/explore/niknik/videos/21/
Why no feedburner emails rss subs?
thank goodness im not on the family plan (i dont have att where i live)
I’m dead, so I’m out. Damn!
Michael
the tethering works and it’s spectacular. (no seriously)
did somebody say this already? (im terrible at reading preposts)
Great news! that means all you rich/young iphone owners will have money to purchase like 2 apps from the app store. Let me suggest the apps: Vanity & Flight control, best apps out so far.
http://www.tavshande.com/vanity/