The definative iPhone activation and eligibility thread.

[Marksman]

Honestly I would pay a nice premium for a handheld device that did not suck.

[WTEngel]

I am not positive, did the RAZR have any discounts when it originally came out? For some reason 2 scenarios stick in my head... It was 499.00 outright with a contract, or it was somewhere along the lines of $600.00 without a contract and $449.00 with a contract.

All that is to say...the RAZR (one of the most poorly crafted and least user friendly phones in my opinion, I have had terrible experience with all of the ones I have owned, many have been replaced under warranty) was very expensive at release. Cingular at the time also offered absolutely no insurance on the RAZR and was the exclusive carrier for two years. The RAZR now is arguably one of the most common handsets out there.

At 499.00 and 599.00 respectively, the iPhone seems to be 100x better of a deal than the RAZR, or 99% of the other products available right now. I am confident this will be the case, but reserve the right to change my opinion after I get one in my hands and use the UI and other features. LOL

I can't believe people are throwing such a fit over the price, particularly when you look back at some handsets that have been more expensive and had 1/10 of the features...

[ColsTiger]

Originally Posted by WTEngel

I am not positive, did the RAZR have any discounts when it originally came out? For some reason 2 scenarios stick in my head... It was 499.00 outright with a contract, or it was somewhere along the lines of $600.00 without a contract and $449.00 with a contract.

All that is to say...the RAZR (one of the most poorly crafted and least user friendly phones in my opinion, I have had terrible experience with all of the ones I have owned, many have been replaced under warranty) was very expensive at release. Cingular at the time also offered absolutely no insurance on the RAZR and was the exclusive carrier for two years. The RAZR now is arguably one of the most common handsets out there.



At 499.00 and 599.00 respectively, the iPhone seems to be 100x better of a deal than the RAZR, or 99% of the other products available right now. I am confident this will be the case, but reserve the right to change my opinion after I get one in my hands and use the UI and other features. LOL

I can't believe people are throwing such a fit over the price, particularly when you look back at some handsets that have been more expensive and had 1/10 of the features...

Razr's Edge from Fortune Magazine

Cingular had a one year exclusive on V3 Razr sales in the US. T-Mobile released their version in July '05. I don't think they were quite as high as you remember, but they were very expensive. I do see your point though. IF the iPhone is as good as we hope, then it will be a bargain compared to the Razr at its release.

[Imahottguy]

What i don't seem to understand is that it's a Cingular exclusive, but you can purchase it from Apple.com w/o being a cingular customer...

[wyatt_450]

How will I be able to tell if my local at&t store will even have the phones on the 29th?

[Enforje]

Well i just got off the phone with a cingular/AT&T rep and they told me that 4 new data plans are supposed to be coming out on the 29th. I believe these data plans are going to be specifically for iphone customers, it makes sense to release new ones if you are releasing a product that requires a data plan.

[ahactor]

Okay, have they said how BIG of a data plan is needed? Also, will it use the EDGE without telling you? You said many apps. needed it. But, if I get the smallest one possible, I don't want it using it all the time without telling me first, because then that would just add a WHOLE bunch on top of the already large phone bill.

[jmcd]

Originally Posted by Spin This!

Agreed... Apple will be turning away a lot of people if this is the case. Sorry, Apple, good luck selling 10 M iPhones if you're going to rope customers into an expensive data plan.

I know it sounds like a horrible plan - but remember WII? remember 360? remember FERBIES? This is the best thing they could possibly do for their product. Unfortunately, it's going to make a lot of people upset - but it's also going to make a lot of people REALLY REALLY REALLY "need" an iphone

[3dg]

Look for a LOT of people outside and inside the store. I'd imagine some shoving and pushing will be happening too.

[jmcd]

Originally Posted by wyatt_450

How will I be able to tell if my local at&t store will even have the phones on the 29th?

I'm sure they will be all about advertising that. Without a doubt. Plus, you could always ask