Attention existing AT&T customers who have been eyeing an iPhone 3G. Stop whatever you are doing, grab a red Sharpie, and circle March 26, 2009 on your calendar.
Why? Because according to BGR (who got their hands on some internal AT&T slides), that is the first day you will be able to purchase a “No-Commit” iPhone 3G for the economy-boosting price of $599 (8GB) / $699 (16GB).
What’s the catch? Well, for one thing, the price is for “existing” AT&T customers only. Also, there is a limit of “one per line” which, as BGR speculates, probably means you need to have at least one active AT&T line at the time of purchase.
On the flip side, apparently there is no way for AT&T’s system to determine whether you have already fulfilled your “one per mobile number” quota, making it theoretically possible for you to go buck wild on no-commit iPhone 3Gs.
The real question here is, what does all this mean in the grand scheme of things? Is AT&T trying to clear its 3G shelves? Will Apple unveil new hardware along with its iPhone OS 3.0 launch this summer? While there is no way to be sure, history does point in that direction.
That price is too high, and won’t clear any shelves that I know of.
This just doesn’t make any sense at all…
Here are the steps to get an iPhone 3G with no contract TODAY – for LESS.
1) Goto AT&T store and buy an iPhone 3G for $199 (or $299).
2) Cancel your contract immediately, and pay $175 ($200?) early-termination fee.
3) Save $200
You know have an iPhone 3G with no contract. Go ahead and jailbreak/unlock, and use it how you see fit.
The end.
Three years ago, several months after my current ATT contract was up, I bought the ATT8525 (their top of the line) the week it came out. Paid full price so as to not have another 2 year contract. First bill I discover I am under a new 2 year contract anyway. They also told me at the ATT store that 3G was coming to our area “in the next quarter.” Two years later, after my second contract was up, still no 3G. Needless to say, I changed carriers.
I bought it at Tradestead several month ago, it works pretty good. I like it!
$600 for no commitment? Seems cheaper to get the commitment and then break the contract.