D'OH: "Cheaper" iPhone 3G is Actually $40 MORE than Original ModelLost in all of the excitement about the newer, cheaper iPhone 3G is this little nugget: AT&T is raising the cost of iPhone data plans from $20/month to $30/month for consumers (the plan price stays at $45/month for business users). Considering that you have to sign a two-year contract for voice and data to get iPhone 3G for $199 (8 GB) or $299 (16 GB), that new "lower" priced iPhone 3G will actually cost you more in the long run than the current "more expensive" iPhone (EDGE version). Here's how: Note that this is all based on what I know now - which doesn't include info on included/add-on messaging plans for iPhone, which could sink this entire theory (though I doubt that'll happen). You're paying $10/month extra ($30 vs 20) for the mandatory new data plan over a minimum of 24 months. That's $240 extra over the life of the contract (more if you keep your service beyond the two-year minimum). Of course you'll be getting 3G data access, which I'm sure most buyers will think totally worth the extra $40 versus the current model's slower EDGE data. But, hey, I'm not forming opinions here - just pointing out the facts lest they be lost in the marketing machine. It remains to be seen if buyers will still be able to purchase an iPhone at the $199/299 price point and walk out of the store without activating it, or if the retail price will be higher and a rebate will be given upon signing a service agreement. All about Our fancy algorithm says this stuff is related...Tuesday, June 17, 2008@Daniel M: Yes, instinct has a soft touch/grippy plastic back. Service-wise, I think a lot depends on coverage where you'll use the phone. For me, Sprint happens to work better in my house than AT&T does, but at my office they're both good. Theoretically, Sprint's EV-DO Rev A network will offer faster download speeds than AT&T's HSDPA network, as well. But your actual results may well vary according to where you are, how much network traffic there is, etc etc. Friday, June 13, 2008Wait.... So is it $40 dollars a month or a one time fee of $40? Tuesday, June 10, 2008Iphone is great but why go thru horrible ATT and paid 70plus a month with bad coverage when Instinct is coming out Tuesday, June 10, 2008@Peter, i think what you really meant is that extra $200 in your pocket now is worth more than the $240 over 2 years. Tuesday, June 10, 2008Sprint? Service? Those two do not, in my experience, go together. I, personally, have had a nice experience with AT&T and Apple.
Re: price of the service, you would need to say AT&T seems to charge iPhone users more than RIM users, if that would be accurate. In comparing different products (phone or provider), please try to keep the other variable (provider or phone) the same. Better comparisons result. Tuesday, June 10, 2008Noah...does the samsung instinct have a soft touch back to it and how does sprint service's compare to at&t(had both before no big complaints for either one)? Im on the fence on whether I should go for the instinct or the new iphone 2.0. Im leaning towards the instinct Tuesday, June 10, 2008Noah...does the samsung instinct have a soft touch back to it and how does sprint service's compare to at&t(had both before no big complaints for either one)? Im on the fence on whether I should go for the instinct or the new iphone 2.0. Im leaning towards the instinct Monday, June 09, 2008Noah.. i have a question for you. If one person on your verizon family plan has had an upgrade and the others have not does that mean that everyone is stuck with verizon for another 2 years? And i was also wondering if you would reccomend verizon or at&t? Monday, June 09, 2008This is the most idiotic comparison. You do know that the device and service are two separate things right? The phone is cheaper but you're getting a faster speed so of course the price is going to go up. You can't upgrade from dial-up to cable and expect to pay the same. The equipment is cheaper and that's the bottom line. Monday, June 09, 2008Even thought it's more expensive I am going to get it. I am switching from Verizon to ATT. I know Verizon might be better with coverage but I really want an iPhone and the CEO of Verizon is stupid for saying no to Apple's iPhone. Monday, June 09, 2008@Nestor: Yes, thanks. Corrected. Monday, June 09, 2008"$499 to $399 for the 16 gig version"
I think you mean $299 for the 16 gig. Monday, June 09, 2008It’s so stupid that Apple is dealing directly with the horrible AT&T bull crap service and not Sprint, that’s why I’ll be buying the Instinct the true 3G phone with a great coverage area.
Monday, June 09, 2008If you consider the time value of money, that extra $200 in your pocket now is worth more than $40 over 2 years.  PhoneDog Mailbag 9/4/08: Glyde, iPhone 3G, Voyager TitaniumInstallment #1 of the PhoneDog Mailbag. Noah answers your questions on Samsung Glyde, Apple iPhone 3G, LG Voyager Titanium, and new T-Mobile phones. iPhone 3g v HTC Touch Diamond v Samsung Omnia Part 2Three of the heaviest heavyweights take center stage in part two of this PhoneDog Dogfight. In this corner - the iconic iPhone 3G. In that corner - the "Windows Mobile with a cherry on top" HTC Touch Diamond. And in, uh, that corner - the super-spec'd Samsung Omnia. Whose cuisine will reign supreme? Win Gift Cards and Phones with PhoneDog Tips and TricksSo you're a cell phone master? PhoneDog.com wants you! Submit your best cell phone tips and tricks and you may get published on the site and win gift cards and even a free phone! If we think your tip and trick is worthy, we'll feature your Tip on the Phonedog.com homepage as a new blog post. Here's how... Register as a Phonedog user, click here Email us a written or video Tip and Trick to phonedog@gmail.com What you can win? If we... iPhone 3G and 2.0: Jailbreak and Unlock and T-Mobile HackNoah's got the iPhone 3G and the old iPhone - the old one's jailbroken, unlocked, and running on T-Mobile. Side by side you can see how the unlocked version works just like the new one (minus 3G). All hail the iPhone-dev team! Also, check out the T-Zones hack for T-Mobile users! Instinct vs iphone 3g vs Dare vs Treo 800w: Speed TestAnother Internet speed test pitting four 3G phones against one another. The takeaway? 3G coverage is lousy in Oakland. Or ... Noah has no idea what he's doing. Instinct vs iPhone 3G - Web and Speed TestNoah puts Instinct and iPhone 3G head-to-head in a Web and speed battle. First is a raw download speed test, and then a few Web page load tests. Who won? Watch the video and find out ... iPWN: Apple Sells One Million iPhones Despite Massive Server CrashDespite insanely long lines, device shortages at AT&T stores, and the massive failing of iTunes servers that led to a bunch of bricked iPhones on launch day, Apple claims to have sold a cool one million iPhone 3Gs during launch weekend. By contrast, it took 74 days to sell a million of the original iPhones. That brings Apple to some 7 million iPhones sold since the original model's launch last June, which puts them right on track... iPhone 3G: Hands on With iPhone 3GAfter a long, unsuccessful day of trying yesterday, I headed back out this morning at 7:45 to try once more to secure an iPhone 3G. I got to the Bay Street shopping center in Emeryville, CA around 8 or so, and there was already a long line at the Apple Store - my best estimate had me staring at a 3 or 4 hour wait, minimum. Then I remembered that there's also an AT&T retail outlet in that mall. So I walked down there and... Waiting: Free Pizza but No iPhone YetSo honestly this whole iPhone launch thing sucks. After being denied by a sold-out AT&T store this morning, I'm now wasting my afternoon in line outside of the Apple store. Been here almost 90 minutes now and the actual store is still a long ways off. The Apple employees are passing out free pizza and burritos now, which is nice and all, but how about a purchase and activation process that doesn't suck? That'd be cool, right, not to have... More Madness: Waiting in Another iPhone Line1 pm and I'm second to last in line at the Apple Store in Emeryville, CA. Ironically enough I'm blogging on a Sprint Instinct while I wait for my new iPhone. This here's a looong line I'm in. Wish me luck. Sold Out: AT&T Runs out of iPhones ... Noah Heads to Apple StoreWell, I waited in line at the AT&T store in Berkeley and before I got to the front they ran out of iPhones to sell. They're taking orders, and "may have more tomorrow" but that doesn't help me, right?So I'm off to the Apple Store Bay Street in Emeryville, CA. I called and a nice Apple salesperson named David told me that they have iPhones in stock, but there is still a long line. Is it worth my getting in line, I... iPhone 3G Watch: Sold Out in Boston?I just got word from a friend of mine in Providence, RI who was thinking about picking up an iPhone 3G today. "Man, I can't believe how naive I am sometimes," he said over the phone. "I figured, yeah, cool, I need a new phone, I'll go for it and get the iPhone. Sold out all over the place. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Boston - nobody's got one left." He was referring specifically to the AT&T outlets in the... |
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