iPhone 3G for $199 or even free - but what's the catch?
- i
- i_dont_want_one
- mqR
- 10 Jun 2008
I cant understand why Apple would still want o2 to carry the iphone in the uk when they have worst 3G network coverage in the uk just look at their data modem speeds....... surely this is gonna make the phone perform poorly and the battery life will drain very quickly!!
- k
- kEiThZ
- xVD
- 10 Jun 2008
PT2, 10 Jun 2008This article is completely bogus. You cannot count the ser... morePT2 is right..sort of...
In comparing to other phones and plans, it's the 3G data plan premium that should be counted. So effectively, that makes the phone cost 199USD + (10USD X 24 months) = USD 439.
Regardless, as GSM Arena pointed out, there are better phones but not a single one that can be purchased at this price point. Given the practice in the US of largely buying with contract, this is a phenomenal deal. Every high school kid and their parents is going to have an iphone in short order.
How this plays out in other countries will be interesting to watch. Here in Canada, our only gsm company, Rogers, has a monopoly on the gsm market and will likely demand a first born child for a decent data plan. So the iphone will probably remain a niche player. Despite that there are still predictions the iphone will the blackberry a run for its money in the home market.
If you are buying legit, from a carrier with a contract, there is no phone that comes close to this capability/price point. The other OEM's will emphasize their features, etc. But Nokia, HTC, Samsung, SE, etc. have not come close to offering a device with that much capability at that price. I bet they're all working overtime right now.
- C
- Chuequy
- LEt
- 10 Jun 2008
The thing is...the price indeed is lower than it used to be. But what you consider to be overpaying is for the services. As everything, a better service implies a higher cost. Therefore there is where the higher costs go to, in the 3G tech. But, if you don't want to pay for it, you may. But that will give you a phone with a great screen and wifi, not being able to make the most of every application
- ?
- Anonymous
- mrk
- 10 Jun 2008
GSMARENA you guys should do more research. The 3G Iphone prices already have been set in the benelux. 250 and 450 euros.
In belgium the phone won't be simlocked because it interferes with the law, and the belgian government already sued apple for this and won. So if you want a simlock free iphone, not expensive, get it in belgium.
- P
- PTdude
- nth
- 10 Jun 2008
Kevin, 10 Jun 2008In portugal there´s not such plans, here it´s all prepaid, ... more
it is NOT all prepaid in Portugal.
maybe you're a no-money dude that can only afford prepaid, but lot's of others are on post-paid and have data plans.
why don't get a bit of real info, man?
wait and see how much Vodafone and Optimus are going to charge you monthly (if you can afford it, that is).
they're always creating new plans, aren't they? Why would it be different now?
- T
- Tom Cruz
- UFI
- 10 Jun 2008
iPhone 3G will be available via Vodafone on both prepay and contract price plans which will include great value data bundles. - This is from a VF website! Don't think the prepaid will be $199 though. But Go prepaid!
- S
- SANDY
- TSL
- 10 Jun 2008
well wats the use of gettin this phone????thr"s no bluetooth!!!!same old 2mp camera,the interface is same,no front camera,atleast its nothing new!!!im really dissapointed with the apple,i have an unlocked iphone,so it will be no use of buyin tht phone,it seems htc touch is a better option with all 3mp camera,4b with expandable cards,gps,its worth it,but 1 thing i liked the abt the apple is tht the pricin stratergy fits perfectly!!!!!
- j
- jbondsr
- w4U
- 10 Jun 2008
Please...If you think the new iPhone 3G won't be on sale anywhere without a contract, your being very naive. I guarantee you that this'll be sold on the internet without contract obligations soon enough.
- K
- Kay
- 02G
- 10 Jun 2008
@envy what are you talking bout? WiFi isn't avaiable in the car in most places and where it is its slow. I know many counties here are making wifi available to public but those hotspots are slow. Having a 3G option anywhere is great because it almost gets to wifi speeds. Obvioiusly where theres wifi your going to use it, but thats not always the case.
And apple is deff. no weak. There gaining day by day from great products.
- K
- Kevin
- ix9
- 10 Jun 2008
In portugal there´s not such plans, here it´s all prepaid, and i wonder whats price it´s going to be. it will be locked to vodafone and optimus.
- s
- suspicious guy
- q{7
- 10 Jun 2008
Don't you guys think that slashing the price more than 50% in less than a year will piss off those who purchased the device when it first came out. Also I am pretty suspicious that with all these high tech devices we are becoming more dependent on these international tech companies and simply limiting our own potential. It may not make any sense to you right now but hopefully you'll understand me in near future. I don't think I would ever buy any electronic device of which producer can track me or be aware of all of my transactions. By the way, this is my personal opinion. For those who are thinking about purchasing one, enjoy your new iPhone:) Have a great day folks...
- e
- eNVy
- kHZ
- 10 Jun 2008
Who even cares about 3G iphone, 3G is good for web surfing that's about it (since they don't have video call camera). But instead of having to pay why not just use wi-fi which is fast enough for anything you could do on a cell phone, and who is even spending more then 15 minutes on the internet on a cell phone?! Like what is the possible reason behind that anyways.
Apple is weak, the iphone is weak, much better options out there, and much more coming soon. Everyone one that knows about cell phones knows that the iphone is just a fad like all apple products, targeted at people that don't really know much about phones are all and are "style" and "brand" conscious.
- T
- Tom Cruz
- UFI
- 10 Jun 2008
Just a reminder, not everyone here is from the UK. So if they only mention the 24 month contract - give them a break. I hope most places they will provide the i-phone with no contracts attached. We will find out in July which countries those are!
- k
- keep your damn iphon
- kJx
- 10 Jun 2008
no way i am gonna pay $1000+ for iphone. steve, keep it with yourself.
- T
- Tom Cruz
- UFI
- 10 Jun 2008
@sergito
Hook us all up with a couple unlocked iphones :-)
$199 plus a 24 month contract is a joke. I don't mind paying $199 & the phone is locked to the company I bought it from, but you should be able to have a pre paid sim card in the phone ect...
& what about all those people who are already on a 24 month plan, they won't be able to get an i-phone unless they sign up to another 24 month plan? Are they crazy? Might as well get the 1st i-phone (or N95) & put anysim card in it. To pay so much more just for 3G, I say forget 3G - who really cares about 3G. Unless you got $ the throw away. Good Luck.
- m
- miro
- nHR
- 10 Jun 2008
there are 18 months contracts in the UK so read properly before you write anything.
- M
- Me 2
- 0@Y
- 10 Jun 2008
PT2, 10 Jun 2008This article is completely bogus. You cannot count the ser... moreMan, I'm afraid you're all wrong.
1. I live in a country that's not in the plan. That means I'll have to pay the plan fees in advance - that's over $1000 on the table for that phone.
2. Yes you should count the plan fees into account when looking at the price of your 8800 phone. The iPhone may end up as $2000, your phone may be $2300 or $1900. Subsidy _is_ part of the price.
- t
- totti
- LJB
- 10 Jun 2008
PT2, 10 Jun 2008This article is completely bogus. You cannot count the ser... moreYou NEED TO count the service plan into the price of the phone. because is the only way to get this phone, paying the service plans!!!
- S
- Souett
- C54
- 10 Jun 2008
PT2, 10 Jun 2008This article is completely bogus. You cannot count the ser... moreThat might be true in a way. If you don't plan on getting a data plan and just use wifi. then ya, 199 sounds good. however, most people will be getting a data plan of some sort at 3G speeds. with will increase your overall phone expense. money you wouldn't put out if it were some crappy motorola razr. congrats steve job for screwing us over again. He must think all iphone users are idiots.
- ?
- Anonymous
- pkh
- 10 Jun 2008
that sucks very bad u will end up with a very very overpriced phone..:| nokia n95 8gb in much better and cheaper..and with the n96 things will be even better..nokia rullz..