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*UPDATED* iPhone 3G: more expensive plan, free swap for recent purchases

*UPDATED* iPhone 3G: more expensive plan, free swap for recent purchases

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Published on: 10 June, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

*UPDATED* iPhone 3G: more expensive plan, free swap for recent purchases

iPhone 3G users may get a deal on the phone, but will be paying more for their monthly service. The original iPhone plan ran $20 whereas the 3G plan will cost $30. We are told included messaging will remain at 200 texts/month. Business users can expect to pay $45/month. Now we understand where that $199 price tag came from.

On the bright side, if you purchased your iPhone after May 27th AT&T will allow you to swap out to the 3G at no cost. Of course, the new phones are $200 less and there's no mention of a refund, and you have to resign a two year contract, but hey its something! The 3G won't be available online and can't be activated in home either, only at Apple and AT&T stores. Better clear your schedule on July 11th...and 12th, just to be safe.

source: Gizmodo, twice

Update: According to PhoneDog, AT&T head man Ralph De La Vega has also confirmed that the previously included 200 text messages are gone.  That means at least another $5/month, bringing the two year difference up from $240 to $360.  Of course text messaging is optional, but Steve himself said 90% of iPhone users are doing it.  At this rate the $199 is looking more and more like a ripoff rather than a steal!


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0
1.
that extra $10 bucks for 3g data is BS. Its just way to suck out 10 more dollars out of their customer's pockets. They act like its a whole new network when its just the same network but faster.
0
13.
if you don't want to pay $10 extra for 3g then don't get it. It amazes me that after all these years people are still sticker shocked. Nothing in life is free.
Reply to this comment
0
15.
Not only that but it's considered a Smartphone now and all other smart phones with AT&T pay $30 for data. Doesn't seem like much of a surprise to me.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
0
24.
relax man...im not sticker priced or anything Im just pointing out the obvious...they do not tneed to raise the data plan $10....thats all
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
0
30.
Ok Everybody! Stop Pannicking! As You Know AT&T Is Not The Only GSM Company!

Alot Of Times People Buy Their I-Phone From AT&T, Then Take It To T-Mobile!

Go-To A T-Mobile Phone! Tell Them You Want To Bring Your I-Phone There!

Even Tho You Can't Get 3G (Except In New York) You Can Get EDGE! Remember! AT&T Only Offers 3G In Popular Cities & States!

You'll Be Saving Alot Of Money At T-Mobile, I'll Demonstrate:

Voice:
AT&T Has 900 For 59.99! 1350 For 79.99! Unlimited For 99.99!
T-Mobile Has 600 For 39.99! 1000 For 49.99! 1500 For 59.99! As Well As MyFaves For 10 More!
Unlimited TMO 2 TMO For 6.99! Nights & Weekends Are Soon To Start @ 7pm Right Now 9pm!
* Remember! T-Mobile Throws A Promotion Every Year For New Customers! It Starts That 1000 Will Drop To 39.99 & 1500 To 49.99! When This Happens Current Customers Also Can Switch But Will Have To Add Another 2 Years!
* Remember! T-Mobile Is #1 In The World! Verizon Is #1 In The U.S.! T-Mobile Has #2 Biggest Coverage In The U.S.! Check All Carriers Coverage Maps! AT&T Is Like Sprint!
* Remember! T-Mobile Has #1 Customer Service Very Friendly Than At&t! They Will Work With You! Also Told Any Phone Like That Can Have Insurance That Is Bought At T-Mobile For 5.99 A Month! This Is For Any Phone! You'll Pay A Deductible Still! But Is Worth It!

Data:
At&t Charges 30 For Data!
T-Mobile Charges 20!

Messaging:
T-Mobile: It's 14.99 For Everything! Text, Picture, IM & Video!
AT&T: It's 19.99 For Everything!

Visual Voicemail Is One More Thing Not Available At T-Mobile!
T-Mobile Has Less Dropped Calls Than AT&T!

T-Mobile In The U.K. Has The I-Phone & Does Well!

Who Agrees!?

Also If You Don't Qualify For A Contract At AT&T! T-Mobile Has Flexpay! Contract Prices! Same Features Available! Credit Card Required For Flexpay!
Reply to this comment
0
35.
Their saying its impossible to use the 3g with t-mobile or any other gsm service provider. If this is true then only way you can use the iphone on t-mobile is with the old iphone.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
0
37.
its not impossible, but to buy the iphone youll have to sign a two year contract with att
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #35 ( Show )
0
41.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!

First of all T-Mobile doesn't work in all states. Matter of fact T-Mobile had roaming agreements with AT&T so they used their towers anyway. Had to buy Suncom to get into other states, in which there will still be poor coverage and poor service, because there are no longer any roaming agreements between AT&T, SunCom and T-Mobile. (Do your homework!)

Can change plans at anytime NO CONTRACT extensions!!

Verizon is the #1 carrier because they bought Alltel. Before all of that it was AT&T. (Do your homework!)

T-Mobile's plans are cheap for a reason.

AT&T has phone insurance for 4.99 for ALL phones EXCEPT the iPhone. (Do your homework!)

3G is available in most states and cities. Not New York only. (Do your homework!)

Who cares if T-Mobile is in the UK, we're in US.

AT&T works and T-Mobile uses their towers. They don't have the iPhone and won't for another 4 years. And by AT&T will be on bigger and better things.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!


Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
0
43.
T-Mobile does not have the nationwide network that AT&T does. I am in South Carolina now and lived in North Carolina all my life. The closest place anyone can even get to to a T-Mobile is in Virginia and Georgia. That's a pretty big gap. Plus this goes back to you get what you pay for. AT&T is more expensive because they have more to offer with their service than T-Mobile. If they had less dropped calls then why don't they have 70,000,000 plus subscribers like AT&T
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
0
44.
Thank you for saying all that. All very true.....Read number 43 from me
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #41 ( Show )
0
47.
Alright coming from a VZW rep the only reason ATT was biggest is because of the merger with alltell when they merged they were ahead of us 12 million customers we in 2 years caught up and were only down 3. The 3g iphone is a joke it wont even work anywhere outside of the major cities. And who cares about T-mobile they only work on highways and interstates lol.

Look at our coverage map for EVDO we smash ATT and anybody really.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #41 ( Show )
0
54.
Ok, I AM a VZW rep. At&t with soon to be the 2nd largest network actually will offer a lot with it's plan.

DATA
VZW: Min Plan 39.99 with + $44.99 for Data, ($30 for Blackberry)
AT&T: Min Plan 59.99

MESSAGING
VZW: $5/250 msg, $10/500 msg, + Unl VZW Messaging, $15/1500 msg, + Unl VZW Messaging, $20/5000 msg, + Unl VZW Messaging. Unlimited Texting Plans range +$30 and up
AT&T: 19.99 For Everything

Visual Voicemail
VZW: N/A
AT&T: Yes Incl in Plan

Mulit-media videos
VZW: $15 for VCast Vpak -- web clips, shopping for songs and ringtones, access to YouTube
AT&T: Incl in Plan.

GPS Navigator
VSW: $9.99/month for VZ Navigator, 2.99/for 24 hour use
AT&T: Google maps, GPS (on iPhone 3g) Incl in Plan

Memory:
VZW: Need expandable memory 512 MB - 8GB (In most cases) Cost of card $15 - $70
AT&T: 8 GB or 16 GB

Mobile to Mobile
VZW: Included
AT&T: Included

Rollover Minutes
VZW: N/A
AT&T: Included

In most cases it's the iPhone not AT&T that makes it a cut above the rest.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
0
58.
note: AT&T does not offer insurance for the blackberry curve, so you need to do some homework too...
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #41 ( Show )
0
59.
i have the AT&T blackberry curve and i'm paying $30 for unlimited internet, $20 for unlimited messaging, and GPS navigation would cost me another $10. wtf?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #54 ( Show )
0
60.
Especially with AT&T
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #13 ( Show )
0
65.
as a matter a fact they do offer insurence on all their pda's except I Phone. You need to pay your little VZ spies a little better that way you will get precise info
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #58 ( Show )
0
70.
true that my friend!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #47 ( Show )
0
71.
FYI. At&t is the lartest GSM carrier in the US and their coverage is alot better than TMOBILE..
Ever Heard the saying "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR"
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #30 ( Show )
Reply to gray25 Hide 17 replies to this comment
0
2.
I'm a VZW dude but im debating whether to buy and resell a couple of these things..

does any one think this will be hot on eBay or would I not get that much of a return?
0
3.
Why would you do that?

Haha I mean, you can go into an apple store and buy them without a service plan?

So I dunno.

But who can argue with making money?
Reply to this comment
0
5.
it would appear that purchase requires a contract this time around. apple was obviously pissed about them being unlocked
Reply to this comment
0
21.
I think apple could care less, its att that was loosing the money, apple was getting paid for the phone purchase just no profit sharing, this is all att not apple
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #5 ( Show )
Reply to XxTNTxX Hide 3 replies to this comment
0
4.
weird, ATT wanted to grow revenue, and they have a data plan that is IDENTICAL to the verizon data plan.


weird.....weird
and I would think that the 199 PP is a subsidized cost, I.E. 2 year contracts...no full retail iphones.
Reply to this comment
0
6.
wow...thats crazy. an additional fee for a sub-par data network. whatever i guess.
Reply to this comment
0
7.
actually, AT&T is supposed to drop the data plans by $10.00. I would know bc i work for the company.
0
8.
if this dummy works for the company, they would have realized that AT&T did raise the data plans
Reply to this comment
0
9.
Why would AT&T lower the Data plan? It matches Verizon and a lot of people will pay whatever it ttakes to get the iphone. They proved this with the first one.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #8 ( Show )
0
10.
He doesn't work for AT&T....he's just a fanboy!
Reply to this comment
0
62.
maybe he's the greeter
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #10 ( Show )
0
66.
Hey 7 , if you work for the comapny please let me know who your manager is so that I can fire you both!!! Its stupid reps like you that make the rest of look bad. Do us all a favor and please quit...
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #8 ( Show )
Reply to anonymous Hide 5 replies to this comment
0
11.
Any know if you can just buy the iPhone, with just the $39.99 call package, but without the $30.00 extra data package? Just curious if it's possible, or if they require you to buy the data plan as well?

Thanx!
0
12.
as far as I know, unless you unlock the phone, you have to buy the iphone package which includes the data plan
Reply to this comment
0
55.
The data plan is a requirement for an iPhone, since a lot of the regular phone features use the data network. This includes the voicemail, which can't be accessed any other way with AT&T.

As for Jailbreaking the new 3G models, the existing methods will not work. If a teenager can do it and release a program to the public, Apple can figure out a way to circumvent the existing methods (and the tested it already and bricked a lot of the first generation iPhones, so you know that is fixed in a new one).
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
0
56.
Incorrect to Visual Voice mail: Visual Voice Mail stores the message to your handset and is accessable when the phones radio is turned off. Do your homework
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #55 ( Show )
Reply to kmichalec Hide 3 replies to this comment
0
14.
People say this phone is cheaper. But is it really? It comes locked and can only be purchased at AT&T stores with activation, for 2 years.
It includes a voice plan ($30) and a data plan ($30).
$60 each month X 24 months = $1440
$1440 + $200 (cheapest iphone 3g) = $1640.
This phone is more expensive than the previous version and than the ipod touch.
OPEN YOUR EYES and DON'T BE FOOLED by apple's MARKETING STRATEGY. You end up paying a lot more.
0
16.
I agree. Even comparing with the old iPhone, iPhone 3G will cost $50 more over two years contract with AT&T.

$10/month (increase in data plan) x 24 months = $240
$240 + $199 = $449 (iPhone 3G price)
Reply to this comment
0
17.
Actually the phone IS cheaper..... It's the service that went up. And anyone who wants a Smartphone like the new iPhone will pay the same price, so it doesn't really matter in my eyes I guess....
Reply to this comment
Reply to c1 Hide 2 replies to this comment
0
18.
This phone still sucks all around...
Reply to this comment
0
19.
yes it does suck, i can agree with u on that one... i was not impressed at all with iphone 3g... they all act like 3g is something new, sprint and verizon have had it for years, it just doesn't make sense...
0
34.
verizon doesnt use 3g it uses EVDO which is pretty much the same speed but the service area is way bigger. everyone is overhyped over this 3g release. the phone is awesome but the fact that the 3g service area with att is still so small, very few people will be able to take advantage of the speeds.
Reply to this comment
0
61.
for vzw and sprint employee's: of course it sucks - YOU DONT HAVE IT!!

Reply to this comment
0
63.
That's why we don't have it.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #61 ( Show )
0
67.
no apple wanted to go to a better network which is att after verizon did want it because they could put there stupid brew on.Iif verizon would of got the iphone it would of sucked!!!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #63 ( Show )
Reply to Sprint Employee Hide 4 replies to this comment
0
20.
I think I will keep my old iphone.Live in small town Arkansas with no 3G.Only in the cities.So why change.Also the new 3G data
plan does not include the 200 SMS.So there is another 5 bucks if you want them.This would up the data plan $15 a month if you
want the same thing.I thought the iphones would be going cheap on ebay by now.Used ones selling for the same price they
did a few weeks ago.This tells me a lot of people are going to stay with the old data plan.
Everybody to their own!
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