Filed under: iPhone
AT&T revises 3G S iPhone upgrade policy
It's no secret that I didn't mind AT&T's pricing of their 3G S upgrades. However, 3G owners were upset that they were not offered the same discounts as new customers or those who had not fulfilled their two-year contracts. Well, good news for those 3G owners who are wanting to upgrade to the 3G S. AT&T listened to your complaints and published an open letter and YouTube video explaining that current 3G customers may be given much better upgrade pricing when the 3G S launches. From the open letter:
"Beginning June 19, iPhone 3G customers [who are] eligible for an upgrade in July, August, or September will get our best upgrade price of $199 (16 GB) and $299 (32 GB)." This is definitely great news for some 3G owners, as it bumps up the date when they can upgrade for less -- however, if your discount date is past September 30, you will still have to wait to get the best pricing. Your upgrade-eligible date is based on both your contract age and your service plan; the more money you spend with AT&T every month, the sooner they will replace your phone.
There is also good news for those of you who have already pre-ordered the new iPhone: if the new eligibility window affects you, AT&T will issue you a credit for the difference.
Although I don't think that AT&T had to make this change in their policy, it's encouraging to know they're listening to their customers and making changes. Now that you're listening, AT&T, how about getting on the ball with MMS and tethering?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Garrett Bjerkhoel said 2:10PM on 6-17-2009
One thing I don't understand is my cousin and I waited on July 11th for iPhone 3G and he is eligible in August while mine is December 12th, how can this be?! I will call AT&T if I have to, but this sucks.
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JessicaAlba said 2:21PM on 6-17-2009
His Phone bill is over $100 each month so he only waits 12 months.
Between $75 & $100 the wait is 18 months.
Less than $75 and you have to wait the full 24 months.
Thankfully my phone bill is like $125 so I can get the new iPhone. I thought I was going to be stuck pretending to have a new iPhone 3G S
http://interactiveiphone.com
Garrett Bjerkhoel said 2:28PM on 6-17-2009
His is actually less than mine, mine is $125 a month.
Kevin said 2:29PM on 6-17-2009
Thankfully my bill is less than $100 a month.
novalidtitle said 2:43PM on 6-17-2009
BS, my bill is $101 every month and mine is 18 months.
Johnny said 3:05PM on 6-17-2009
@JessicaAlba: I'm going to have to call you out now on your constantly spamming the comment thread with that utterly useless interactiveiphone.com BS. It's a stupid site that does nothing except throw up advertisements every time you hit a button. Your comments are welcome, but leave the link out of it.
Travis Walls said 3:33PM on 6-17-2009
@Johnny, Thank you for calling them out on the link spam. I am getting so tired of that stupid web site link being posted on almost every iPhone story on TUAW. They've done this under several account names now and it is *really* getting old. At least post a link that is useful. That so-called iPhone "simulator" is a piece of crap with ads plastered all over it.
lolwutermelon said 3:57PM on 6-17-2009
I pay $160/mo and my upgrade date is in December.
Lore said 5:30PM on 6-17-2009
I purchased both 1st gen iPhone and 3G on their respective launch days and I have a family plan with my husband. We share 1400 minutes and both have iPhones so our monthly bill is around $190. I am eligible to upgrade 7/29/09, which is great since it'll have only been just over a year since getting the 3G. My husband accidentally demolished his iPhone and had to buy a new 3G just a couple of months ago, so he's not eligible until August 2010. But that is neither here nor there... I get to have a 3GS next month!!!
aldoushett said 2:12PM on 6-17-2009
My wife and i bought ours on release day. We both waited in line bought 2 iphones on our family plan, and we both have different upgrade dates. Mine is in feb hers is in dec.
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typogrammer said 2:14PM on 6-17-2009
This will not affect most customers at all. I waited six hours to get the iPhone 3G on launch day last year, and I am not eligible for any discount until December.
They're just trying to save face.
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William said 3:05PM on 6-17-2009
Agreed; it's just a PR move. It doesn't actually help anybody out. I bought my iPhone 3G in July 2008 and am not eligible for upgrade until December 2009. I don't know which iPhone 3G customers would be eligible for upgrade July-September.
pipcorona said 2:15PM on 6-17-2009
I've been an AT&T customer for over 5 years. I bought the 3G on the release day, yet my upgrade date isn't until December. How is this going to help people that bought the 3G on release day?
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Jordan said 2:18PM on 6-17-2009
Actually, tethering does work on AT&T with iPhone 3.0 right now...and for free...not sure how long it will last but its worth checking out this really easy trick to enabling it on iphonealley's website --->http://www.iphonealley.com/news/tethering-activation-039hack039-found-once-again-for-iphone-30
it actually does work flawlessly, I'm just surprised more iphone/mac websites have not picked up on this pretty big story.
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waiownsyou said 2:17PM on 6-17-2009
That's strange. I bought my 3G in October of '08 and according to wireless.att.com, I am eligible for an update on 8/19/09. Why are some of you seeing Dec+?
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Andrew said 4:12PM on 6-17-2009
You know, I noticed this talking to a friend. We both joined AT&T on 3G launch day, and bought an 8GB 3G. His upgrade date is 12/09, mine is 1/10. The ONLY thing we did differently is that he's had an unlimited texting plan the whole time and I've jumped around between 200 most of the time, to 1500, to unlimited at times, so maybe upgrade date depends on bill somewhat too? Either that or they just pick a random date, haha.
Gabe said 2:20PM on 6-17-2009
Same for me, I waited on line at 4am on launch day for an iPhone, but my upgrade says Dec. I'm calling up to bitch at them right after work! F THAT
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redbenn said 2:19PM on 6-17-2009
"PRICING
Importantly, we want our customers to better understand our wireless device upgrade program. Like most U.S. carriers, we offer a variety of phones that we sell below our actual cost when customers agree to sign service agreements. In general, the more a customer spends with us, the quicker they become eligible for a price break on a new device. For example, iPhone customers who spend more than $99 a month per line with us generally are eligible for an upgrade between 12 and 18 months into their contract."
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redbenn said 2:21PM on 6-17-2009
I got my 3G on launch, but am not eligible until March 2010... I think its because I'm on a family plan, just extra line + iPhone Data plan for mine.
Rubbinz said 2:20PM on 6-17-2009
Please. There was really no effort into doing this, All they're doing is overlooking a max of 3 months of July, August and September of 2009 if your eligibility falls in these months. There is no real loss on their part. And I'm not saying that there should be a loss on their part. It's pure business.
As an aside, I was able to get full subsidy discount on my iPhone 3G S even though I'm not eligible until 3/2010. I was given an iPhone 3G last year from a friend while he was in Asia, that was unlocked.
When I activated on AT&T they would forced me service if I signed a 2 year contract if I wanted service for my non-subsidized iPhone 3G.
Called them up and argued on Monday because even according to AT&T, you're signing a contract for a subsidized phone, not to activate service for a phone you own free and clear. After some transfers to some higher ups in the food chain, they agreed that I never should have been forced into contract without receiving a subsidized phone. They allowed me to purchase the iPhone 3G S at full discount of $199.
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