AT&T pricing of the iPhone 3G S is unfair
The disappointment of MMS and tethering not coming on the launch date of iPhone OS 3.0 or iPhone 3G S for AT&T subscribers is just a trifle if you look at the pricing model of the iPhone 3G S. The pricing is unfair for people who have faithfully stick with the service provider for years.
Whenever, there is a new iPhone I am just tempted to grab it. Apple is becoming famous for introducing handy and tempting features with every hardware upgrade bit by bit. This is going to be the third time I won’t be able to say no to the iPhone in a span of three years.
The painful fact now is that AT&T makes me sign up for a two year contract every time I purchase the iPhone and Apple is introducing a new iPhone every year. Needless to say this happens one year short of contract expiry of every purchase. There needn’t be any hard feelings if AT&T don’t charge me extra citing subsidy and contract terms. What I don’t understand here is why don’t they reduce the contract term to one year rather than purloining committed customers?
Well, if you are an iPhone 3G owner and is planning to upgrade to iPhone 3G S like me, we are going to pay $200 more than new and qualifying AT&T customers.
Here is the pricing detail of the iPhone 3G S:
New and qualifying AT&T customers
- 16GB iPhone 3G S =$199.
- 32GB iPhone 3G S =$299.
iPhone 3G owners opting for early upgrade
- 16GB iPhone 3G S =$399.00.
- 32GB iPhone 3G S=$499.00.
No Contract Price
- 16GB iPhone 3G S=$599.00.
- 32GB iPhone 3G S=$699.00.
There are lot of strings attached to get the iPhone 3G S. AT&T has their own justification of course, claiming that you got the 3G iPhone in a subsidized rate in 2008 and is yet to complete that term.
Whatever the case be, I am just too disappointed that AT&T is not even considering to give a little discount in the name of loyalty. They are even going to charge $18 as upgrade fee on top of that hefty $200 if you are to switch over to the iPhone 3G S on the launch date. I’ll try my best not to be in the queue this year.
Will try to survive without the enhanced speed, video recording feature, voice control and the compass.
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Andrew this is why you need to jailbreak your phone. I use MMS regularly for a lot cheaper than AT&T will ever offer, I can record video and I can tether my phone. The only thing the iPhone 3GS has at present that the 3G doesn’t is the compass. As far as speed. I won’t believe that until I see it.
Speed could be a little faster, no doubt there. But, paying $200 more would be insane.
AT&T and Apple may you live long with this unfair treatment
The bad thing is everyone needs the voice features. Hands free driving. I was hoping mine would be able to do that but now we have to go get the new one. Should be some kind of deal just because of that.