Apple released the new iPhone 3G S today. There is a lot of confusion as to the pricing of the new device, and we're hear to clear it all up. After speaking to an AT&T customer support representative, we learned exactly how the pricing works. Contrary to common belief, the price is not solely based on the time left on someone's contract, but rather it is determined by the amount of money paid by the AT&T customer over time.
The only way to determine how much an iPhone 3G S will cost for you is to either call AT&T or check on the website.
Just follow these 4 easy steps:
1. Go to www.att.com and log in
2. Go to "Check Upgrade Options"
3. Select the phone you want to upgrade
4. See the exact price of the iPhone 3G S (16GB, 32GB) and iPhone 3G based on your specific account
Important information: (based on detailed discussion with AT&T customer support)
- The price of the iPhone 3G S is based on a complicated system which depends on how much money you have paid AT&T over time. It is not determined solely by the time left on your contract. I have a family plan. There are two iPhone 3G's on the account, and 3 regular flip phones. The main line on the account is eligible to purchase the iPhone 3G S for $199 and $299 (16GB, 32GB respectively). The other iPhone 3G (not main line on family plan account) is eligible for $399 and $499 iPhone 3G S pricing (see screenshot above). This is because the main line pays "more" than the other line.
- All iPhone 3G users are eligible for an "early upgrade", which means you'll be paying $399 and $499 rather than $599 and $699.
- You can upgrade through any line on your account to get the cheaper pricing! In other words, I have 3 other numbers on my family plan with some regular ole flip phones. They are all eligible for full upgrades, and can get the iPhone 3G S for $199/$299. Since I am only eligible for the early upgrade ($399/$499), I am allowed to "transfer" the other person's upgrade eligibility to my line. This can only be done at the AT&T store. It's commonly done.
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I’m also eligible in December. That’s 15 months after I got my 3G, and I think that’s pretty fair of them. Nonetheless, if jailbreak comes out soon for the 3GS, I’ll probably give in and pay the $218 surcharge.
We just got a tip from our reader:
I took a trip to the AT&T physical store to get a clear answer. The
truth is that unless you have a 2100 or higher package you will not
qualify for the best upgrade price. The AT&T rep told me that this is
really nothing new, that they always offered early upgrade price to
those who have the higher cost plans.
I have a 450 family plan and we barely use a third of out minutes
every month so it would be wasteful for me to be in any other higher
priced plan.
I would be nice if AT&T would come out and say clearly that only those
customers with 2100 or higher plans are elegible.
At least I am hopeful that by the time I am elegible (December) Apple
will have partnered with additional vendors (hopefully Verizon) and by
then I will be able to get rid of AT&T and a new 3GS to boot.
Cheers,
Raul