AT&amp;T iPhone "rebate" clarification

Yesterday, Twitter was abuzz with incorrect rumors that current iPhone owners would have to trade-in their 2G phones in order to upgrade to the iPhone 3G. I spoke with AT&T's mobility media contact yesterday and confirmed that the rumors were bogus, but after the original source posted a clarification and retraction, we didn't think it was necessary to post, fearing it might just confuse readers further.

However, today we received a tip from a reader linking to a FinancialWire story that mentions an exchange/rebate option for AT&T customers, but does not properly explain the procedure and the eligibility. Because I spoke with AT&T yesterday, I would like to set the record straight.

As Mark Siegel from AT&T explained to me yesterday, "AT&T wants to be as fair as possible to customers who very recently purchased an iPhone." Thus, if you purchased an iPhone from an AT&T store AFTER May 27, 2008, you have the option of returning the phone to an AT&T store between July 11, 2008 and August 1, 2008 for the new iPhone 3G. Those customers will also be refunded the difference between the price paid for the 2G iPhone and the iPhone 3G.

I commend AT&T on taking such a proactive and consumer-friendly approach.

Just to reiterate: if you bought a 2G iPhone BEFORE May 27, 2008 and you want to upgrade to the new iPhone 3G, you can do so at the subsidized price ($199 or $299), as long as you sign and new two-year contract and add-on the 3G data plan (this plan will replace any data plan you currently have for the iPhone). You do NOT need to trade-in your old phone.

Thanks Mark!

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Yesterday, Twitter was abuzz with incorrect rumors that current iPhone owners would have to trade-in their 2G phones in order to upgrade to...

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Estevan

Wait a minute.... I thought that there wasn't any iPhones being sold after May 27th. (If I'm not mistaking) So how can people get that rebate?

June 17 2008 at 2:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Balls

So can I go to an AT&T store and buy a 2G phone today, then return it for a 3G iPhone with no penalty?

Are they still selling 2G iPhones?

June 13 2008 at 2:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

William

So is there any way to find out what current AT&T subscribers but non-iPhone owners will have to pay? I find it very odd that AT&T hasn't announced the policy that will effect tens of millions of their subscribers who don't currently have iPhones.

June 13 2008 at 2:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

What if you bought your phone as a GIFT (NO Proof of Purchase) from an APPLE STORE and isn't opened yet..Will AT&T still give you that Chance to upgrade FREE?...

June 13 2008 at 2:34 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

What if you bought your iPhone after May 27 at an Apple Store?.. It says you get the Rebate if you purchase from an AT&T STORE not APPLE.....Because was given to me as a gift on June 6 and I have no proof of purchase?..

June 13 2008 at 1:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jbean

Here says SMS are included in the price. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1843

June 12 2008 at 8:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

chrisfb1

just a side note. While i was talking to ATT person last night. He mentioned about there is an insurance for the new 3G iphone from AT&T this time. no more apple care for us i guess. Maybe people already knew, but i didnt see it anywhere. hope this helps.

June 12 2008 at 7:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

whoisee

I am wondering what happens to any iphone (ver 1 or 2) after the contract is up. Does it not work at all if you don't renew? Obviously no phone plan but can it be used as an ipod and gps and surf the web via wifi?

June 12 2008 at 7:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dennis

Has anything been said about corporate discounts? I currently get a 25% disc. for being an HP employee. With the origianl iphone ATT said the corp. disc. was not applicable. Since the new 3G iphone is treated like "any other phone", I assume discounts now apply...

anybody know?

June 12 2008 at 7:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

I mean. If I go to buy an unsubsidized iPhone without a 2 year contract, can I exclude the 3G data plan? Meaning no data plan at all. Or could I at least get an EDGE data plan?

June 12 2008 at 6:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to pj's comment

Joseph

I may be wrong, but all the verbiage I've seen explicitly states that to purchase an iPhone 3G (in the US) you *must* sign a 2-year contract for service with AT&T. You cannot buy one unsubsidized, and in the event you can (which, as I just stated, it doesn't look like it), it would *still* be locked to AT&T.

In short, if you want the iPhone 3G and you want to buy either from Apple or AT&T (not gray market), you *will* be signing a contract with AT&T. No more prepaid. No option for going without subsidies. You've got one option and that's it.

That's why I'm holding onto my iPhone 2G as long as it lasts and then switching to Android. I used the trick posted here to sign up prepaid (enter all 9's for your SSN in iTunes) and now that the option is gone I'm not going to be able to use an iPhone 3G. Technically I could, but I'll never sign another contract with AT&T.

Signing a contract with Satan would be less disadvantageous.

June 12 2008 at 6:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply