No 2G iPhone Hardware upgrade for 2 Years?

[aria505]

I don't mean to make this another thread about the 2year contract, because that doesn't bother me. I actually don't have the money for one right now.

But what I am interested in is what Apple's future plans are for the iPhone. I'm sure they will do many software upgrades for the iPhone, but will they not do any hardware upgrades for the iPhone until 2 years have passed when everyone's contract begins to expire?

It isn't like the ipod where they can release a new 2G iPhone in a year and expect for some of the sales to come from people who already own the 1G iPhone.

And any new "nano" versions on the iPhone won't get bought by people who own a regular iPhone. (which does happen with the ipod line).

Will they release small hardware upgrades through out a 2 year period like they do with their Macs and then when everyone's contract is running out, release a new 2G iPhone?

What do you all think?

 

[applehero]

One can only assume that since the rev a iPhone is not subsidized that any future releases will not be either, therefore the whole 2 year contract thing in regards to the iPhone is irrelevant. The 2 year contract is for the service, when new versions of iPhone come out, it will just reset the 2 year contract if you want it. Price will be the same, just as it is now.

If you release it, they will buy!

 

[wongulous]

They want as many new contracts as they can get (period, but especially NOW). This may not be the case in a year or two when a new form factor or 3g or updated hardware version comes out.

When the iPhone 2, iPhone '08, iPhone Nano, PhonePro (or whatever) comes out, you'd better believe they'll have options for users to upgrade. Either that, or you'd better give your old hat iPhone v1.0 to your little brother (and do a change of responsibility on the line connected to it).

 

[aristobrat]

One can only assume that since the rev a iPhone is not subsidized that any future releases will not be either, therefore the whole 2 year contract thing in regards to the iPhone is irrelevant. The 2 year contract is for the service, when new versions of iPhone come out, it will just reset the 2 year contract if you want it. Price will be the same, just as it is now.

Exactly.

New iPhone comes out 8 months from now? Buy it and your 2-year contract to AT&T starts over.

If they continue on with the non-subsidized model (where the iPhone is the same price for new customers, existing customers out of contract, and existing customers in contract), other than your contract starting over, there's no real downside to upgrading.

... which is a lot better than how phone companies handle their upgrades nowadays, IMO (where new customers get a huge discount off of the phone price, etc).

 

[ps49556n]

Exactly.

New iPhone comes out 8 months from now? Buy it and your 2-year contract to AT&T starts over.

If they continue on with the non-subsidized model (where the iPhone is the same price for new customers, existing customers out of contract, and existing customers in contract), other than your contract starting over, there's no real downside to upgrading.

... which is a lot better than how phone companies handle their upgrades nowadays, IMO (where new customers get a huge discount off of the phone price, etc).

I agree, I think that this is a better way to sell handsets.