Are you currently OFF contract or eligible to upgrade?

[Trent0341]

I'm eligible for an upgrade on the 23rd of June, right on time.

 

[iMichael72]

I would be shocked if someone who has a contract with AT&T would have to pay retail for the iPhone.
I'm not saying your wrong, just saying to me, that doesn't make a lick of sense.
If they have to add on to my two year contract so be it, but to make me pay retail (whatever that is) or not allow me to purchase it, is crazy.

I don't see that happening.

This is my situation. I called Cingular, and granted they don't know anything at this point, but they stated that unless you are off contract, or available for hardware upgrade (roughly 18 months into your 24 months) then you have to buy the iPhone at full retail.

Which they may not even offer to begin with and also Scott Bourne is reporting that full retail is $999.

If that is true early termination fee would be cheaper, but who wants to pay AT&T $175 just to turnaround and sign back up with them – probably with a more expensive plan.

I want their to be an option to just extend your contract, but I don't think it is going to be there, unfortunately. Now I am researching all the ways to get out of a contract, but still retain your number. It doesn't look good.

 

[QCassidy352]

My verizon contract will expire days after the iphone is launched. It will give me a little bit of time to see how people are liking the iphone in real-world use and decide whether to get one now or wait for the second generation (with 3G and higher capacity).

 

[psycoswimmer]

I'm out of contract, and its staying that way. I'm continuing my plan with T-Mobile, free to leave whenever I want. But I like T-Mobile. I have good reception, great customer service, and cheap individual plans (which is what I need).

I'll be the getting the RIZR soon.

 

[JNB]

I'm still amazed that anybody can be confused about this. Unless & until Apple/AT&T make an announcement or change to the contrary, here's the pricing/contract deal, as it has been since January:

New customers
4GB: $499 with new two-year contract
8GB: $599 with new two year contract
Not sold without contract

Existing customers
4GB: $499 with two-year contract extension
8GB: $599 with two year contract extension
Not sold without contract

Every statement, documentation, or SteveNote slide from either company thus far has not said anything beyond this. Everything else at this point is pure speculation, so the panties should become unbunched.

 

[ravenvii]

I'm currently with T-Mobile with a Blackberry 7230. I've been out of contract for over a year now. So I'm all ready to upgrade to an iPhone!

 

[wordmunger]

I'm not on a contract but I'm not going to get an iPhone. Too much money, not something I need. I would only use it for playing and wasting time, so I'm not going to get it.

 

[cazlar]

I've recently moved to the US and am using a pre-paid T-mobile at the moment. So if I decide to go with the iPhone I can.

Which reminds me, how strict are Cingular/AT&T with approving people for contracts? I currently have zero credit history in the US, so I hope that isn't a problem?

 

[astrostu]

I have another 9 months on my Verizon contract and I'm not doing early termination. I may switch carriers when this contract is up based upon various plans available, but I honestly don't see myself getting an iPhone. I personally hate cell phones and just view them as a necessary evil. They tried to get me to buy a phone with a camera in it and I said flatly, "I have over $3k in professional camera equipment; why would I buy a tiny plastic camera on the back of a phone?" I also find it interesting that none of the hype around the iPhone has centered around the camera.

I'll admit that it looks really cool with the Google stuff and web browsing, but again, there's no way I'm paying $500-600 for a cell phone and even more for the data plan and then be roped into it for the next 2 years.

 

[cycocelica]

I will probably get an iPhone during Christmas since thats about when my current contract ends with AT&T.

 

[marksman]

I would be shocked if someone who has a contract with AT&T would have to pay retail for the iPhone.
I'm not saying your wrong, just saying to me, that doesn't make a lick of sense.
If they have to add on to my two year contract so be it, but to make me pay retail (whatever that is) or not allow me to purchase it, is crazy.

I don't see that happening.

That is my position too. Of course it serves my self interests, I guess we will know soon enough.

The more I think about it, the more I know if that is the case I will just open a new account. That is how dumb that is.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Since I have absolutely no idea what my contract status is, I can't really vote in this poll

I have some interest in an iPhone, but I don't really use my current phone all that much... I'm not sure if it would be worth the investment, even if it turns out that I am eligible to switch.

 

[lekun]

as it has been since January:

Existing customers
4GB: $499 with two-year contract extension
8GB: $599 with two year contract extension
Not sold without contract

I guess I've just never seen this. All I've ever seen (and what I most remember is the Keynote in January) is $499 & $599 with two year contract. Thats it. No mention of specifics for existing customers (i.e. customers in the middle of their AT&T contracts).

I, like you, thought that I would just extend my existing contract – no problem. But why? AT&T doesn't do that for any phone. You either pay full retail, or you have to be eligible for upgrade or at the end of your contract. What brought this about was the wording on the ads (which, admittedly has been removed, but no one knows why). And that got me thinking that I had never considered that the iPhone would be sold just like all other phones, but why wouldn't it?

It seems odd to me that Apple would sell any iPod permutation and not have it available to whoever wants it, but this is a phone, and AT&T makes money through contracts. I'm not sure there has been anything to say otherwise except my wishful thinking.

If you can point to anything that says specifically what happens with existing customers in the middle of their contract, please let me know–otherwise I'm imagining that AT&T is going to do what AT&T does best (and all cell carriers): grab has much money from you as they can.

 

[JNB]

I guess I've just never seen this. All I've ever seen (and what I most remember is the Keynote in January) is $499 & $599 with two year contract. Thats it. No mention of specifics for existing customers (i.e. customers in the middle of their AT&T contracts).

I, like you, thought that I would just extend my existing contract – no problem. But why? AT&T doesn't do that for any phone. You either pay full retail, or you have to be eligible for upgrade or at the end of your contract. What brought this about was the wording on the ads (which, admittedly has been removed, but no one knows why). And that got me thinking that I had never considered that the iPhone would be sold just like all other phones, but why wouldn't it?

Every experience I've had with moving to a new phone in the contract period has been similar. You can get a new phone (at a subsidized price) with an additional two years added to your sentence, er, contract.

The problem arises with moving in a contract period with a subsidized phone into an extended 24 months with an unsubsidized phone. That's where a lot of confusion is arising.

What's the subsidization for? The equipment. So you bought X phone with a two-year contract, subsidized. That's the end of the subsidy on the equipment, because they're getting it on the back end, the service, which you are contractually obligated for.

What I'm most confused about is the (seeming? apparent?) lack of a month-to-month plan. If the purpose of the contract is to subsidize the equipment, and the iPhone isn't subsidized, then what's the value (to the consumer) of the contract?

Bottom line, with Apple driving this, all bets are off. Keep in mind what Steve's getting accomplished with the music industry model. Completely broke that, too (well, in the process of breaking, but still...).

I can't think of any industry today that's as unbelievably convoluted and intentionally vague as the US cell phone industry. The idiots that run these companies should have to actually go into their own stores and purchase & activate a phone. Then they should have to explain their monthly bills at the shareholders' meetings.

 

[lekun]

Scouring the nets

Well, I've done a few Google searches, and I did come up with this which was penned just after the iPhone launch:

Existing Cingular subscribers would have to extend their contract by two years to get the phone, Lurie said, without revealing whether the prices are subsidized by the carrier.

Lurie is Glen Lurie, Cingular Wireless national distribution president.

So maybe my fears were unfounded?

But then again there is this, which states Cingular told him the exact opposite. Maddening. I think it is clear that Cingular/AT&T/Apple haven't figured this out yet. Hopefully tomorrow, I guess.

 

[dagomike]

Has anyone got any solid info on getting an iPhone if you're still under ATT contract? I talked to both Business Services and in store, and both tell me I need to wait until my early upgrade on 8/31. One actually told me they will have to see the iPhone will even be available as an early upgrade.

I've seen much posted that you can just buy it and you'll either restart your contract w/ two years or roll into a new contract w/ 2 years plus balance.

There seems to be a huge void of info out there. Maybe more info will be available next week, but it would nice to know if I need to wait until September so I can bury my head in the sand and ignore the hype.

 

[zap2]

I"ve got 30 days to return my BlackJack....if I have to I'll return it, if not, I'll have both iPhone+BlackJack

 

[AirmanPika]

I'm still amazed that anybody can be confused about this. Unless & until Apple/AT&T make an announcement or change to the contrary, here's the pricing/contract deal, as it has been since January:

New customers
4GB: $499 with new two-year contract
8GB: $599 with new two year contract
Not sold without contract

Existing customers
4GB: $499 with two-year contract extension
8GB: $599 with two year contract extension
Not sold without contract

Every statement, documentation, or SteveNote slide from either company thus far has not said anything beyond this. Everything else at this point is pure speculation, so the panties should become unbunched.

The problem is people are confused because apple/at&t originally had "Requires a 2 year contract" text in the ads. This was removed so there obviously is an option that definitely doesn't require a contract. Its just that people here don't actually seem to READ most of the posts here so they still think it does require one no matter what. Now there may be some kind of option that still does have a 2 year requirement but we won't know till they announce it. If its some kind of discount I'd go ahead and sign up again for another 2 years as I don't plan on changing carriers.

 

[aristobrat]

I'll admit that it looks really cool with the Google stuff and web browsing, but again, there's no way I'm paying $500-600 for a cell phone and even more for the data plan and then be roped into it for the next 2 years.

Yeah, it'd be pretty pointless to buy this device (at its current price) if all you're going to use it for is cell phone functionality.

For people who will use it as a cell phone & a widescreen video iPod & a mobile Internet solution (all wrapped together by a decent UI and stuffed into a decent looking case), then the price of the gizmo + the data plan may seem a lot more reasonable.

But yeah, to use it just as a cell phone? Crazy.

 

[NewtypeCJ]

Well it looks like my Sprint contract's not up until September 21. My technolust is, I think, worth the early termination fee. Anyone know if it's prorated or do they just smack you with the whole $150 (or whatever it is now) when you port your number? I guess I could always just get a new number and let the Sprint contract bleed out...

 

[aristobrat]

I guess I could always just get a new number and let the Sprint contract bleed out...

I have a friend who's going to do that.

He's going to buy an iPhone, get a brand new phone number from AT&T, leave his existing phone number with Verizon (for 2 months, until his contract is up), drop all unnecessary features from his Verizon account, and then call-forward his Verizon phone to his new iPhone.

When his Verizon contract is up, he'll port his Verizon number to AT&T.

That way he doesn't have to worry about telling his friends about his new temporary AT&T number.

Ugh.

 

[slippery-pete]

I have gone into several at&t corporate stores and called 611 from my cell phone. I have gotten the same answer each time and the conversation sounds like this:

me: I know I am not eligible for an upgrade until 1/08(I make them pull up my account to verify and insure there is no confusion) will I be able to purchase the iPhone on 6/29?

At&t associate: Yes, you will be able to purchase the iPhone on 6/29 at full retal price, either $499 or $599 depending on the model you choose.

me: You sure about that?

At&t associate: yes, you will have to extend your contract for 2 years.

i have gotten this same message probably 8+ times when contacting At&T. I mean think about it, a person has $500+ ready to spend and willing to extend their contract for 2 more years(with a required data plan) and At&T is going to say "No thanks, your not eligible for an upgrade so we don't want your money" Makes no business sense at all

 

[NewtypeCJ]

Wow aristo. That is not a bad idea (one I hadn't thought about). With call forwarding would everything come up as normal as if they were calling you from the get-go? HMMMmMmMmMmMmmmm... What about text messages to your old number?

 

[terrrrrible]

My contract for the phone I currently have with Cingular is up, so I'm all ready to pick up the new contract and the iPhone on the 29th.

 

[aristobrat]

Wow aristo. That is not a bad idea (one I hadn't thought about). With call forwarding would everything come up as normal as if they were calling you from the get-go? HMMMmMmMmMmMmmmm... What about text messages to your old number?

No love on the text messages. As far as I've seen (with Verizon), there's no way to forward those.