To people did not know their dirty marketing gimmick, here is the trick.

For 8G/16G iphone 3G:
$199/$299 only if you switch to ATT as new customer, OR you are periously iphone user who willing to renew your existing contract.
$399/$499 only if you are existing ATT customer who willing to renew for 2 more years.
$599/$600 if you don't touch any ATT plans.

I was shock to find out Apple is as dirty as ATT. Apple had never been that cheap, using such dirty gimmick advertisment. I don't care how much they sell it but the adv. was completely misleading people that most thought it is just 199/299 It sounds like ATT really own apple or iphone.

To those who really really thought it was just 199 or 299 a piece and not falling into first 2 conditions and don't want to spend that over $600 for a phone. You can save your time, don't let Steve Jobs get you.

 

Wait a second...you can buy the iPhone WITHOUT getting a service contract? I thought that with the 2nd gen, either you get a contract or no phone for you?

 

Try buying any cellphone for regular retail with no contract. Those free or $49.99 phones suddenly become $300 or more, particularly smartphones.

AT&T is throwing subsidies at the iPhone this time around. For most customers, this is a better deal the the 2.5G iPhone - where you had unsubsidized pricing but were still locked into a contract. At least this time AT&T throw a couple of bills at you.

 

Agreed on that one, I just didnt know that apple would actually sell you an unlocked iPhone in the US. Becuase of the exclusivity deal with ATT, I always thought that the only way to get it to work on any other network was to have the phone hacked?

 

that's right, it's still locked, it's just sold with no contract.

That said, the awesome new 2.0 firmware is only hitting the streets today (and only then if you know where to look on Apple's software update servers) but it's been jailbroken and unlocked already... Official release of both the 2.0 firmware should be tomorrow morning.

 

ATT also screwing us on the data plan. is now $10 more a month in the US, so in long run you actually paying more than before.

 

But it wasn't 3G before... I'd rather pay $30 for unlimited 3G data than the $20 I've been paying for the EDGE data plan.

if you think AT&T is screwing you, just be thankful you're not in Canada. Rogers has our friends north of the border by the short and curlies.

 

Good point..i never got the first generation because i needed 3g. i use the internet a lot on my phone.

 

if you're not getting any plan, you sure can buy it but 599/699 for 8G/16G

Many people fall into their adv for 199/299.

 

I bought the iphone the day it came out like a fool. I love the phone but will not be upgrading, I'm NOT signing another contract. BTW I upgraded to the 2.0 firmware this morning, it leaked. So far its very nice, exchange support is a big plus!