Apple offers iPhone 3G purchase online

For new customers wanting an iPhone 3G, you now have another way to buy it - ordering straight from Apple, an option that hasn't existed since the original iPhone was sold. Online purchasing was taken away with the introduction of the 3G. AT&T brought it back in December, and only now has Apple caught up.
New subscribers can activate their service online, then have their new iPhones shipped straight to their door. Current AT&T customers will need to reserve their iPhones online, then go pick them up at the Apple Store.
As I found out last month, having existing subscribers go in to pick up their iPhone can be a very good move, because things can certainly go wrong. When I went to the Apple Store to pick up my new iPhone 3G, it turns out that when I purchased my original iPhone in November 2007 that they didn't enter it into the system properly. I was nearly charged the full price of the iPhone rather than the subsidized price offered to those who wanted to upgrade from EDGE to 3G. A trip to the nearby AT&T store took care of that, but it was the sort of thing that was far easier to handle in person than over the phone. They were able to pull up my original receipt and override the system so I was recognized as a previous adopter rather than someone just trying to break my original contract.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Freak Mojo said 10:20AM on 5-14-2009
Bring on the 3G iPhone!!!!
That's 3G as in third gen :)
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MRCUR said 10:21AM on 5-14-2009
I just want to know, will the phone be sealed in the box still, or will it have been opened and turned on?
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OJ said 11:53AM on 5-14-2009
Definately an attempt to clear out old stock! Cant wait to be one of the first to own a 3rd Gen iPhone!
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Jason said 12:44PM on 5-14-2009
I wonder if they can do number porting online, too. I'm a VZW customer and I'm seriously thinking about switching to an iPhone soon.
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ClassicGuy911 said 1:23PM on 5-14-2009
Yeah they do number porting online through iTunes... Simple step by step thing...
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pmilagro said 2:07PM on 5-14-2009
It's free shipping ! not the phone ^^
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dannyboybass said 5:07PM on 5-14-2009
So, there's definitely gonna be a hardware upgrade, but what I'm most interested in seeing is the battery. I feel like it would make so much sense to implement the new battery technology they're using with the 17". The phone is gonna be used so much more by it's users because of all the new gadgets it offers.
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Maddy said 2:26AM on 5-15-2009
I found out last month, having existing subscribers go in to pick up their iPhone can be a very good move, because things can certainly go wrong. When I went to the Apple Store to pick up my new iPhone 3G, it turns out that when I purchased my original iPhone in November 2007 that they didn't enter it into the system properly.
Reply
Roland Dobbins said 7:19AM on 5-16-2009
This headline and article are 100% inaccurate. I ordered my unlocked-from-Apple iPhone 3G online via the Hong Kong Apple Store during the first week in October of 2008, and received it two days later.
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Fer Lim said 6:03PM on 5-19-2009
Not in the US, it isn't ^^
Here's a page on the current state of things:
http://www.squidoo.com/Where-Can-I-Purchase-an-iPhone
and a couple more on related issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZDPhJtkPxQ
http://www.scribd.com/doc/14997085/WHERE-CAN-I-PURCHASE-AN-IPHONE-CHEAP-
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directapplestore said 10:26AM on 6-12-2009
Please note: This phone is unlocked and can be used with any SIM card. No activation required.
Product Includes
Nokia N97 32GB Unlocked
AC Travel Charger
Standard battery
Stereo Headset
Car Charger
Mulitmedia Cable
USB data cable
Data Software CD-ROM
User manual
BUY 5 UNITS AND GET 2 UNIT FREE
BUY 2 UNITS AND GET 1 UNIT FREE
Email: directapplestore@gmail.com
ORIGINAL APPLE PRODUCT ONLY....
Apple iPhone 8GB Unlocked ====== 240usd
Apple iphone 16GB Unlocked ====== 250usd
Apple Iphone 3G 8gb Unlocked ====== 270usd
Apple Iphone 3G 16gb Unlocked ===300usd
Apple Iphone 3Gs 16GB ===============500usd
Email: directapplestore@gmail.com
Reply
ali said 7:19AM on 6-28-2009
hello!
i am from china,i would like to buy a Iphone with 3G and 8GB or 16GB . i am wandering if i can use it in china with my Sim card?
thanks
Reply