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Should I sign up early to get a free/cheap phone as a backup/throw around phone?

J

jshbckr

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 20, 2007
421
1
Minneapolis, MN
I mean, since they use SIM cards, I could just go from one phone to the other. If I'm going to be out doing something that would put my phone in jeopardy, I'd like to have one of the cheap/free phones instead of my iPhone.

So could I go in, sign up for a new phone a day or so before I get the iPhone, and then keep my first phone to use as a junker?
 
Yes, if possible.

But the reality is that the iPhone PLANS themselves are what you're getting in trade for the 2-year contract. It may be best to wait until after opening weekend to see what works best. You're in no rush, right? :)
 
I actually have to wait until the Friday after launch, I don't have the funds right now to cover the iPhone.

But one thing I just realized is that all the phones have rebates and all that weird stuff and I'd rather not front the money and have to deal with rebates. I'd almost rather just get the iPhone and not put extra money out there.

Plus there's always the nice feeling of Apple monogamy. :D
 
throw around iPod

I'm going to use my iPhone as a smart phone.

I doubt I'll use the iPod or web features much. In fact, I plan to keep my nano as my "throw around" ipod.

Although I guess I could pinch some photos just for the halibut.

:D
 
If you want a throw around phone, get a go-phone for $20. it's cheep, and avoids a lot of hassile. However, a nicer phone with a better screen would be better, but you'd have to deal with rebates.
 
thejadedmonkey said:
If you want a throw around phone, get a go-phone for $20. it's cheep, and avoids a lot of hassile. However, a nicer phone with a better screen would be better, but you'd have to deal with rebates.
Click to expand...

I'm interested in doing this as well... I'd like to have a different phone when I go snowboarding. Would I be able to get a GoPhone, but still use the SIM from my iPhone so the number is the same? Sorry, not up on all this SIM stuff as I'm coming from Verizon...
 
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

One word of warning. I went in to an ATT store to do that last week. I even offered to use my own unlocked phone, but get an att contract, to streamline the transition (I'm trying to keep an out of town number that I've had for years).

They told me (perhaps erroneously) that they wouldn't be able to move me over to an iphone if I had just signed up and gotten a freebee. I sincerely doubt it's really the case, especially now that the activation process has been shown, but I thought I ought to mention it.
 
This seems like a really good idea -- there are even 3G phones on the AT&T&T&T&T site for FREE when you sign up for a new contract (I'm on Verizon now.)

Why shouldn't we transfer over now, then pay the extra $20 to activate the iPhone with data?
 
that sounds like a good idea...
BUT...
why do i have a feeling that apple had locked the sim card in with battery..
so you can't really take the sim out..or put it in.
if thats the case..then can you have 2 sim card sharing the same number??
 
eddi818 said:
that sounds like a good idea...
BUT...
why do i have a feeling that apple had locked the sim card in with battery..
so you can't really take the sim out..or put it in.
if thats the case..then can you have 2 sim card sharing the same number??
Click to expand...

Indeed. We know that AT&T allows (GSM) roaming internationally, and there is a slot of some kind rumored to be a SIM card slot on the top of the iPhone... but most phones are "locked" by their provider to only use that provider's SIM, unless you request a SIM unlock code, and it varies whether or not they'll usually give that out. Some do, some don't. There may be circumstances. With the iPhone, it may be different and they do or do not give out the SIM unlock code, or it may not be locked at all.

Also, you cannot have two SIM cards sharing the same number.
 
kevinwiz said:
because your 2 year contract becomes 4 years i think:eek:
Click to expand...

Nope. There are laws about maximum contract length. But pre-iPhone, no, you cannot sign up for a new contract unless your current one was finished, you were signing a separate contract (i.e. for a 2nd or new line), or if you were within a 3-6 month provisional period where your provider lets you resign your 2-year early to upgrade and get a new phone.

But now we're free from that! Ah, the wonders of not subsidizing phone hardware. :D
 
wongulous said:
Indeed. We know that AT&T allows (GSM) roaming internationally, and there is a slot of some kind rumored to be a SIM card slot on the top of the iPhone... but most phones are "locked" by their provider to only use that provider's SIM, unless you request a SIM unlock code, and it varies whether or not they'll usually give that out. Some do, some don't. There may be circumstances. With the iPhone, it may be different and they do or do not give out the SIM unlock code, or it may not be locked at all.

Also, you cannot have two SIM cards sharing the same number.
Click to expand...

Yeah but what i meant is, they wont put SIM card accessible..like it will be locked in with the battery (enclosed case).. reading the faq on att it says

"Q. I'm an existing customer. Can I swap out my current SIM card and start right away?
A. No. iPhone must be activated befroe it can be used. iPhone includes a pre-installed SIM card for your convenience."

it sounds like its installed in..instead of having a slot, its enclosed just like a battery. Isn't that the best way to become AT&T exclusive? (have sim card, but you can't change it/switch it)
 
eddi818 said:
Yeah but what i meant is, they wont put SIM card accessible..like it will be locked in with the battery (enclosed case).. reading the faq on att it says

"Q. I'm an existing customer. Can I swap out my current SIM card and start right away?
A. No. iPhone must be activated befroe it can be used. iPhone includes a pre-installed SIM card for your convenience."

it sounds like its installed in..instead of having a slot, its enclosed just like a battery. Isn't that the best way to become AT&T exclusive? (have sim card, but you can't change it/switch it)
Click to expand...

the space at the top of the phone in the middle is the sim slot. this has been talked about over and over and over and over and over....etc...
 
I'm currently out of contract now. I'd love to use my upgrade to actually get a discount on a phone. Are we sure that we could activate the iphone as an existing customer (regardless of where you are in the current contract?). I could pick up a nice new blackberry for work with my (hard earned!) upgrade and then get the iphone for full price just like everyone else (contract/no contract/upgrade/no upgrade). Any thoughts?
 
I tried going to my local att store to do just this today and the guy there told me that att wouldn't let you do this. I don't really know how they would do this and I think he is full of s**t. The manager there also said that the no commitment price of the iphone would be the same 499/599 price, which also didn't make sense to me. I'm going to try another store later.
 
paulyras said:
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

One word of warning. I went in to an ATT store to do that last week. I even offered to use my own unlocked phone, but get an att contract, to streamline the transition (I'm trying to keep an out of town number that I've had for years).

They told me (perhaps erroneously) that they wouldn't be able to move me over to an iphone if I had just signed up and gotten a freebee. I sincerely doubt it's really the case, especially now that the activation process has been shown, but I thought I ought to mention it.
Click to expand...

you CAn do exactly that. I'm an at&t rep...
 
macfunlerman said:
I tried going to my local att store to do just this today and the guy there told me that att wouldn't let you do this. I don't really know how they would do this and I think he is full of s**t. The manager there also said that the no commitment price of the iphone would be the same 499/599 price, which also didn't make sense to me. I'm going to try another store later.
Click to expand...

you can sign up for the freebie and still get iphone!!! we discused this in training today...
 
Antaios said:
you can sign up for the freebie and still get iphone!!! we discused this in training today...
Click to expand...

Just to repeat....I can do this? I am up for an upgrade and would like to use it. Maybe get a blackberry for work or some other backup phone. It would be crappy for it to go to waste. If i buy one tomorrow I can still get the iphone on Friday and activate it under the same line?
 
I'm going to be going in to the Cingular store today, maybe even calling them soon and talking to the guy who ran my credit when I asked about getting the iPhone, and asking him if they will let me do this. It seems like there is nothing stopping them. I'd love to have a phone I don't have to worry about.
 
Antaios said:
you can sign up for the freebie and still get iphone!!! we discused this in training today...
Click to expand...

thanks for clearing that up. I can tell the reps there had no idea what they were talking about. I am going to see if i can get a razr at the discounted price and then get the iphone when it comes out.
 
rapps said:
Just to repeat....I can do this? I am up for an upgrade and would like to use it. Maybe get a blackberry for work or some other backup phone. It would be crappy for it to go to waste. If i buy one tomorrow I can still get the iphone on Friday and activate it under the same line?
Click to expand...

ABSOLUTELY!!
 
just did this

I just signed up for a family plan with AT&T. Before doing so I asked the sales rep if I would face any problem getting a free phone now and then buying and using an iPhone. He said no.

My question now is if I will be able to remove the SIM from my iPhone to use in my newly acquired phone. It would be nice to have a backup.
 
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