iPhone 3Gs AT&T Contract Questions

[barr08]

Hey all,

I bet this has been covered at least a little bit on this forum before, but I couldn't find the specific information I was looking for, so here we are!

I want to buy a 3Gs, and I am eligible for my upgrade. I will be switching from a Blackberry, which I love dearly, but I feel like it's time for some iPhone action.

My question is this: if I get the iPhone, am I in a contract with Apple as well as AT&T? What I mean is, say 6 months down the line, I decide the 3Gs isn't exactly working out, and I decide I want to go back to my Curve. The people at AT&T said the plans cost the same, so could I just pull the sim from my 3Gs and pop it into my BB, go to the AT&T store and switch the plans? Would that fly?

Note: I remember switching back and forth between my Edge iPhone and my Curve pretty easily. The folks at AT&T said it was different now, though, with the 3Gs.

So I sign the 2 year contract agreement when I purchase the iPhone - does that limit me to the iPhone for those 2 years?

Also, if I can switch back to my BB, would the 3Gs still function as an iPod? I have heard mixed reviews on this - some people say it needs a sim to function at all.

I hope I am wording my concerns correctly. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[eezing]

- Yes, you can switch your plan without penalty. You'll just be locked into a contract for 2yrs regardless of handset.

- Purchasing an iPhone involves no obligation to Apple.

- Yes, you can use the iphone as just an ipod.

The iPhone plan is separate from other plans, so if you want to go from a BB to iPhone to whatever else, you'll have to call at&t and switch up your plan each time as these devices have device specific features (such as visual voice mail or blackberry service). I'm sure the data side of the phones are different too.

But..... Blackberry sucks compared to the iPhone anyway.

 

[barr08]

- Yes, you can switch your plan without penalty. You'll just be locked into a contract for 2yrs regardless of handset.

- Purchasing an iPhone involves no obligation to Apple.

- Yes, you can use the iphone as just an ipod.

The iPhone plan is separate from other plans, so if you want to go from a BB to iPhone to whatever else, you'll have to call at&t and switch up your plan each time as these devices have device specific features (such as visual voice mail or blackberry service). I'm sure the data side of the phones are different too.

Thanks for the info. This mirrors my assumptions, but it's nice to hear from a current user.

But..... Blackberry sucks compared to the iPhone anyway.

This, my friend, is a judgement call. Personally, I would buy a thousand Bolds before I got the 3Gs, if only the Bold wasn't twice as expensive.

 

[eezing]

Thanks for the info. This mirrors my assumptions, but it's nice to hear from a current user.



This, my friend, is a judgement call. Personally, I would buy a thousand Bolds before I got the 3Gs, if only the Bold wasn't twice as expensive.

I had to say it

 

[nehunte]

Personally, I would buy a thousand Bolds before I got the 3Gs, if only the Bold wasn't twice as expensive.

The Bold is the same price. So, what are you talking about?

 

[barr08]

The Bold is the same price. So, what are you talking about?

AFAIK, right now the Bold is $400 before a $100 MIR. The 3Gs is $200 with no rebates. AT&T rebates are a pain.

EDIT: As of yesterday, it looks like the Bold has taken a $100 drop. This may make my decision easier!