New iPhone/AT&T Info, and It's a Mixed Bag
By way of an informative video on the Apple site, Apple and AT&T have revealed a little more info about the rollout on July 11 of the new 3G iPhone--including details on pricing and hardware changes, and there's some good news and some bad news on that front.
The good part are details on many of the features you probably already know about: GPS, metal buttons, slimmer profile, standard headphone jack (finally), upgraded speakers and mic, Microsoft Exchange support, and more. Though already spoken to during the 3G iPhone's announcement at the Apple WWDC keynote, these are all welcome features that the video gives a little more meat to if you're hungry for particulars.
The bad parts mostly involve money. First, the originally-announced price of $199 and $299 for the 8GB and 16GB versions requires eligibility. Many will qualify: previous purchasers of the iPhone, brand-new AT&T customers, and current AT&T customers whose contracts are close to completion are all eligible for that pricing. But if you're an AT&T customer under contract who was holding out to upgrade to the 3G iPhone as many did since last year, expect to shell out $399 and $499 clams respectively, along with the standard contract re-up.
Secondly, the cheapest plan is an extra $10 a month--$70, up from $60 for the EDGE iPhone--and text messages up to 200 now cost $5 as opposed to being free as previously. That plan will still get you 450 weekday minutes, 5,000 night/weekend minutes, and unlimited data.
Lastly, the 3G iPhone will not be available through Apple's online store, meaning you'll need to fight the crowds and stand in line with everyone else if you want your iPhone.
None of these niggling issues are dealbreakers, and rest assured I'll be in line with everyone else come July 11. 3G data and Exchange support is just too good to pass up.
--Aric A.
silentfool on July 01, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I've gotta say I'm a little put off by how things are shaping up with the iPhone 3G. My wife purchased an iPhone a year ago and we love it. I got one for Christmas but returned it, waiting for 3G.
Pretty much all of the things we loved about the iPhone process is gone. We liked that we didn't have to change plans, just add $20 to the existing plan. We liked activating at home and not dealing with AT&T people. And then there's the cost...I would much, MUCH rather pay a big price upfront and be done with it than to pay more over the period of months/years. Do a little math and you'll figure out that the iPhone 3G will end out costing more than the original. I'm OK paying for 3G over EDGE...but no texting included? Now I feel like I'm being nickel and dimmed.
I was extremely excited about the announcement...and have been patiently waiting for 18 months to get my iPhone...now in the 11th hour, I'm not sure if it's worth it or not. And...to top it off I can't even buy a first gen iPhone without paying a ridiculous amount.
Not sure what Jobs was thinking on this one.
Travis on July 02, 2008 at 10:15 AM
So, what about the Ipod Touch? Is that going down in price as well? If it isn't, it should.
S,Sambath Kumar on July 03, 2008 at 06:09 AM
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