iPhone will cost more money for current customers in contract

[loyal2apple]

I don't know if this has already been posted but I have info form a very very great source the iPhone will cost $175 more then the retail price of $499 and $599 if you are a current Cingular AT&T customer that is not able to get a upgrade so that means it will be $674.99 for the 4 gig and $774.99 for the 8 gig

[wjp09]

well that sucks. I won't be getting one till upgrade IF that is true.

[iphonenut]

that's not true.

i'd LOVE to see a substantiated link.

[ps49556n]

I don't know if this has already been posted but I have info form a very very great source the iPhone will cost $175 more then the retail price of $499 and $599 if you are a current Cingular AT&T customer that is not able to get a upgrade so that means it will be $674.99 for the 4 gig and $774.99 for the 8 gig


You may have a point there. Unless your contract is almost expired, wireless carriers in my experience refuse to resign you just for a new phone, but in this case, the iphone is not subsidized which gives them no reason to do this. But consider this....say you signed a new 2 year contract in may, and want to sign a new one friday, is it legally possible to sign a seperate contract that takes place after your first contract is up?????

[sandgrencivic2k1]

Anyone find this out for a fact? I would have to let the iphone go if this is true.

[loyal2apple]

Anyone find this out for a fact? I would have to let the iphone go if this is true.
i sure this is true but we will not know until it has been posted on at&t web site

[Dre180]

Anyone find this out for a fact? I would have to let the iphone go if this is true.


this is not true. what is this "very very very great source" then? if it's true please tell us where this info is coming from.

[ColsTiger]

I don't know if this has already been posted but I have info form a very very great source the iPhone will cost $175 more then the retail price of $499 and $599 if you are a current Cingular AT&T customer that is not able to get a upgrade so that means it will be $674.99 for the 4 gig and $774.99 for the 8 gig

No way! Just more speculation. Don't believe this people! They wouldn't post the prices if that weren't the truth.

[loyal2apple]

this is not true. what is this "very very very great source" then? if it's true please tell us where this info is coming from.

First of all I said very very great source not very.very very. So don't be rude second of all this is info that I heard if you read my second post you would have seen that I even said we won't know if this is true until it is posted on the AT&T website. Because although I trust my source (who happens to be one of the mangers of internet sales for AT&T) I really don't belive it until it has been written in stone on the website. So belive what you want but don't come on this site if your going to post that what I said is not true unless you also have info that says other wise. Plus it just skes since because for cingulara early terminatin fee is $175 so that's why it has been tacked on. I found this out because I wasn't available for an upgrade and I called and asked him and he took care of t for me so I can upgrade now. I really hate AT&T they treat there customers like crap and new people that want to sign up good it should be the other way around. Sorry about my typing I'm sending this from my stupid blackberry with baby internet if I only had my iPhone the writing wouldn't look like a 3rd graders

[ColsTiger]

First of all I said very very great source not very.very very. So don't be rude second of all this is info that I heard if you read my second post you would have seen that I even said we won't know if this is true until it is posted on the AT&T website. Because although I trust my source (who happens to be one of the mangers of internet sales for AT&T) I really don't belive it until it has been written in stone on the website. So belive what you want but don't come on this site if your going to post that what I said is not true unless you also have info that says other wise. Plus it just skes since because for cingulara early terminatin fee is $175 so that's why it has been tacked on. I found this out because I wasn't available for an upgrade and I called and asked him and he took care of t for me so I can upgrade now. I really hate AT&T they treat there customers like crap and new people that want to sign up good it should be the other way around. Sorry about my typing I'm sending this from my stupid blackberry with baby internet if I only had my iPhone the writing wouldn't look like a 3rd graders

Don't worry about. Your source's story just doesn't make sense.

[mav]

Not true. The iPhone is unsubsidized. The 4GB will cost $499 and the 8GB will cost $599 for new customers, current customers in or out of contract and your dog too. Period.

[soloudinhere]

Can anyone actually prove that this is unsubsidized? I have seen nothing official to support that statement, and all logic points to it in fact BEING subsidized.

[BillSinAtl]

I was told by a Cingular store employee that a new phone number and contract would be required if you are not due for an upgrade. He told me there would be no exceptions to this.:embarrassed:

I don't know if this has already been posted but I have info form a very very great source the iPhone will cost $175 more then the retail price of $499 and $599 if you are a current Cingular AT&T customer that is not able to get a upgrade so that means it will be $674.99 for the 4 gig and $774.99 for the 8 gig

[emerrill]

I was told by a Cingular store employee that a new phone number and contract would be required if you are not due for an upgrade. He told me there would be no exceptions to this.:embarrassed:

Yes, and it's been pretty consitantly shown that the store employees know nothing, and are just guessing. I tried pressing one of employees about a statement he made like that, and the he said 'we'll that's the rumors I've read online, we haven't been told anything by our managers yet'

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Not true. The iPhone is unsubsidized. The 4GB will cost $499 and the 8GB will cost $599 for new customers, current customers in or out of contract and your dog too. Period.

If I see any dogs in line on the 29th, I'm going on a kicking spree!

Unless they're all behind me in line, of course...:laugh2:

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

The only thing I could really see is having to add another line to your service.

[Bananaphone]

This is the type of stuff that worries me about switching to AT&T. If this is how they treat their current customers, I don't know if I want to join their club.

[Harleyguy]

Been lurking and waiting for awhile now, so I figured I would throw my 2 cents into the pot here...

I spoke with a rep at the store this weekend regarding this very thing. I am currently 14 months in on my contract and am not due for an upgrade for another 4 months.

I was told by the rep that I can in fact get the phone at that price. The only stipulation that he gave was that they would have to charge me an $18 upgrade fee, but other then that the phone would not be 'up priced' for existing customers...

Granted, since I am so close to the upgrade time period he may just be doing me a favor by waiving the 18 month limit, but he believed the 499 and 599 price would be across the board for anyone wanting the phone.

Makes sense to me though.. since a data plan is pretty much required, anyone wanting one will be putting more money into AT&T's pocket via the Data Plan anyway.

Good Luck to all of you on the 29th!

[Mustang05]

So if i go to a apple store how are they going to know? There not a phone company....

[Marksman]

I don't know if this has already been posted but I have info form a very very great source the iPhone will cost $175 more then the retail price of $499 and $599 if you are a current Cingular AT&T customer that is not able to get a upgrade so that means it will be $674.99 for the 4 gig and $774.99 for the 8 gig

At this point I am comfortable that your source is wrong.

There will be no subsidies on this phone. One price for everyone.

[Marksman]

Can anyone actually prove that this is unsubsidized? I have seen nothing official to support that statement, and all logic points to it in fact BEING subsidized.

No it doesn't. All logic points to it not being subsidized.

Nobody has EVER mentioned a subsidized price or that it will be subsidized. The only people who have said anything of the sort of AT&T employees who apparently can not stop lying or they will die like a shark who stops swimming.

Everything released so far points to this being a single price point point for all units, with no subsidies involved.

[radbrent]

It's eitehr 499 or 599. 2 year contracts (or extension)
No more no less.

[emerrill]

So if i go to a apple store how are they going to know? There not a phone company....

While I don't believe the general premise (that they will charge you the contract termination penalty), they could enforce it. Remeber, you still have to take the phone and activate it. They would charge you as a part of that process. If you refuse, then they would just tell you to return the phone.

[Knowsall]

I understand the false alarms re: IPHONE costing more but unless AT T and Apple stores confirm this its just spec like always. Last week I was tearing my dreadlocks out over the false alarms. This week feels mellow. Like hearing abouta movie coming out but not having ACTUALLY seen it all we can do is spec. Which is very fun to do BTW. Makes me think etc...discount theories etc.

[emerrill]

No it doesn't. All logic points to it not being subsidized.

Nobody has EVER mentioned a subsidized price or that it will be subsidized. The only people who have said anything of the sort of AT&T employees who apparently can not stop lying or they will die like a shark who stops swimming.

Everything released so far points to this being a single price point point for all units, with no subsidies involved.

Really this comes back to a curtain point though, that most people seem to overlook: AT&T can to basically whatever they want with the contract requirements, even if the phone is unsubsidized. Yes, maybe you bought the phone for $600, but that doesn't mean they have to let you use it without paying to get out of your current contract. Would it be unfair/unethical. Yes, I think so. Would it be illegal. Possibly. Contact law is vague, and it would need to be tested in court to know for sure.

I dont think they will go that route, but just because it may be unsubsidized does not mean they can penalize you under your existing contract.

[loyal2apple]

Man I started this post with info that I heard and thought I would share it maybe next time I will keep it to my self sorry seems like I got everyone all upset. Look eveyone is coming with info that they heard from a store from an employee. I got my info from a man that works for AT&T as one of the managers of internet sales he works in a big ass building and has his own office not some phone sales guy that works at an at&t store. Again this is what I heard I don't belive anything until its on that web site. He's just a manager he's not the CEO of CFO so he doesn't make those calls. I bet if Steve jobs was reading this he would be laughing as everyone has there panties in a bunch. Fither more if you want my personal opinion AT&T would be stupid to charge more then the 499 or 599 because it would hurt sales. Remember this is info that was told to me and I didn't give my personal opinion because the guy changed my contract so I could be available for a upgrade when I shouldn't be. I wasn't going to say anything he's helping me out and all you people would do the same

[radbrent]

We understand, but think about how pissed A TON of people would be if it costs more than advertised... Apple would not do that.

[Knowsall]

IPHONE:::Recreating the Boy Who Cried Wolf Story

[Marksman]

. Look eveyone is coming with info that they heard from a store from an employee. I got my info from a man that works for AT&T as one of the managers of internet sales he works in a big ass building and has his own office not some phone sales guy that works at an at&t store.


Here is a few things we know.

AT&T Stores will sell them on the 29th.
Apple Stores will sell them on the 29th.
Apple Online will almost certainly be selling them on the 29th.
AT&T Online Not going to be selling them on the 29th.

So regardless of how big your friend's office is, he is not exactly in the loop since his department is not likely to have anything to do with selling the iPhone for at least a month.

[Ranged30]

This is all crappy info as usual. The fact that it will be sold at the Apple Store confirms this is crap.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Makes me think etc...discount theories etc.

See?!?!

The iPhones aren't subsidized, but the theories are!

Jumpin' Jehosephat!

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

We understand, but think about how pissed A TON of people would be if it costs more than advertised... Apple would not do that.

I'm hoping for just the $18 upgrade fee.

[soloudinhere]

No it doesn't. All logic points to it not being subsidized.

Nobody has EVER mentioned a subsidized price or that it will be subsidized. The only people who have said anything of the sort of AT&T employees who apparently can not stop lying or they will die like a shark who stops swimming.

Everything released so far points to this being a single price point point for all units, with no subsidies involved.

That doesn't mean there's no subsidy. by making you sign a two year contract, at&t can treat every iPhone buyer like they're a new customer, thus creating the APPEARANCE that there is no subsidy, when in fact there must be, or this thing is selling way below market retail on smartphones. And since stevie j. has never underpriced a product in his life, we can bet that there is a subsidy here.

[slipperypete]

This is all crappy info as usual. The fact that it will be sold at the Apple Store confirms this is crap.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Ranged30]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks I am glad there are still rational people in this forum.

[slipperypete]

Thanks I am glad there are still rational people in this forum.

No problem.

Gotta love the "I got this info from a very reliable source" then he actually goes on to name the "reliable source" title. If it was true I highly doubt he would gives the guys title. Just my opinion.

Not sure if anybody saw this excert from the bloomberg.com article from today
"Apple also will get an undisclosed piece of the monthly subscription fee charged by AT&T, the iPhone's exclusive wireless service provider. A two-year contract with AT&T is required"

That statement says alot. A phone manufacturer never gets a cut of the monthly fee. That should tell you Apple is making all the rules and At&T is following like a puppet on a string. Since Apple is running the show on this, do you really think they would ok adding $175 to the purchase price if a customer is not eligible for an upgrade? They wouldn't, makes no business sense. They want everybody to get an iPhone and extend their contract.

[Marksman]

That doesn't mean there's no subsidy. by making you sign a two year contract, at&t can treat every iPhone buyer like they're a new customer, thus creating the APPEARANCE that there is no subsidy, when in fact there must be, or this thing is selling way below market retail on smartphones. And since stevie j. has never underpriced a product in his life, we can bet that there is a subsidy here.

You are the only one who thinks the current prices are way below retail for smartphones.

[soloudinhere]

It's not something I "think." Retail prices for some existing smartphones:
Motorola Q $449
Treo 750 $579
Blackberry Curve $749
Treo 700 $649
HT Mogul/8525 $549

Why would Steve price his phone UNDER those if it's the most revolutionary device on the market? He charges a premium for everything he's ever sold. The storage alone would be cause to price the phone at least comparably. There's a subsidy.

[slipperypete]

It's not something I "think." Retail prices for some existing smartphones:
Motorola Q $449
Treo 750 $579
Blackberry Curve $749
Treo 700 $649
HT Mogul/8525 $549

Why would Steve price his phone UNDER those if it's the most revolutionary device on the market? He charges a premium for everything he's ever sold. The storage alone would be cause to price the phone at least comparably. There's a subsidy.

Why is it priced lower? Very simple, Apple is getting a cut of the monthly subsription fee from AT&T.

[iJohn]

This is becoming really frustrating. (Not directed at the creator of this post or anyone here) but this whole guessing game. If I waltz into an Apple store, they sure as hell will not stop me from picking up a $499 iPhone, buying it and walking out. Then when I go to activate, Ill throw my Motorola RAZR out the flipping window and use this one for my account. I'll buy the data plan and whatnot, but I will NOT pay $175 dollars extra, and I can't see that being a requirement.

If you change your plan, or extend your contract I don't think they can stop you.

[Boyscout47]

All of this theory of subsidies and discounts is all based on the old model of cell phone business. Obviously Apple is changing the game.

NO SUBSIDY, NO DISCOUNT, NOT THE SAME GAME.

Am I going to have to repeat that? Or do I need a "reliable source" to make people listen.

[rumpelgeist]

Yeh, I wouldn't buy this at all.

I have been asking Cingular/AT&T for six months about this and have always received the same answer: The price will be $499 or $599 no matter where you are in your contract. You will be required to restart your contract as if you were a new subscriber, but the price will not go up, just like it will not go down for new subscribers.

The manager of the store I asked at most recently told me, "We've been telling customers this for months and we have no intention of not following through."

Rumpelgeist

[loyal2apple]

No problem.

Gotta love the "I got this info from a very reliable source" then he actually goes on to name the "reliable source" title. If it was true I highly doubt he would gives the guys title. Just my opinion.

Not sure if anybody saw this excert from the bloomberg.com article from today
"Apple also will get an undisclosed piece of the monthly subscription fee charged by AT&T, the iPhone's exclusive wireless service provider. A two-year contract with AT&T is required"

That statement says alot. A phone manufacturer never gets a cut of the monthly fee. That should tell you Apple is making all the rules and At&T is following like a puppet on a string. Since Apple is running the show on this, do you really think they would ok adding $175 to the purchase price if a customer is not eligible for an upgrade? They wouldn't, makes no business sense. They want everybody to get an iPhone and extend their contract.

first of all jack ass read the whole forum before you post. I said that this info did come from a reliable source. i also said myself that i dont belive that what i heard was true i only belive what is written on apple or at&t website. I dont belive what an apple sales guy says or and cell phone guy either. All i did was give info that i heard and i was just feeling others in and i was wondering if anyone else has heard this so i could see if this info is true. As for my source i called him back and he said i have no problem with you posting the info i tell you just dont say my name and there are 5 managers that work in my department so they will never know who said it and futher more he said this info would never leak out for anyone on his side to get in trouble plus he said he has an iphone and hwa does he care. . i said you have one how come you didnt show me? he said you didnt ask. damn it and going to go look at that thing right now.

[loyal2apple]

one more thing in case you were wondering i dont really belive him because apple would be stupid to make this thing cost more that 599 and that all the money i got. like i said i will belive it when i see it on the website

[slipperypete]

first of all jack ass read the whole forum before you post. I said that this info did come from a reliable source. i also said myself that i dont belive that what i heard was true i only belive what is written on apple or at&t website. I dont belive what an apple sales guy says or and cell phone guy either. All i did was give info that i heard and i was just feeling others in and i was wondering if anyone else has heard this so i could see if this info is true. As for my source i called him back and he said i have no problem with you posting the info i tell you just dont say my name and there are 5 managers that work in my department so they will never know who said it and futher more he said this info would never leak out for anyone on his side to get in trouble plus he said he has an iphone and hwa does he care. . i said you have one how come you didnt show me? he said you didnt ask. damn it and going to go look at that thing right now.

Take a deep breath, it is a phone we are taking about. Just because people are questioning your info, it doesn't mean you need to start getting all uptight.

[joffner1208]

This is by far just a rumor. i find it hard to believe that they would cost there own customers that much more, that would turn alot of people away from buying the phone.