AT&T letting go of 8GB refurb iPhone 3Gs for $99 on contract

Ha, you or someone you love just paid full retail for an iPhone 3G a few days ago, didn't you? We've always heard that the best deals come after Christmas, but people just never learn. All smack talk aside, those who didn't get a new cellie under the tree, but did acquire a Benjamin or so courtesy of cash-stuffed holiday cards, can certainly score a big deal today. AT&T is now offering the 8GB iPhone 3G in refurbished form for just $99 with a two-year agreement, while the 16GB refurb is $199 on contract in either black or white. Call us crazy, but we don't foresee these hanging around in stock for too awfully long.

[Thanks, Brenson]

[B3astofthe3ast @ Dec 26th 2008 2:50PM]

Fingerprints included?

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 26th 2008 3:40PM]

...$800+ for a refurbed phone? Wow. Do these at least come with copy and paste?

I am so glad I got an iPod Touch instead. Typing comments on it is a pain though.

[Juaquin @ Dec 26th 2008 3:42PM]

Warning to all who follow:

Don't feed the troll.

[Platinum_Skeet @ Dec 26th 2008 4:13PM]

Can you buy it without a 2-year?!?

[D.S = digtal shit @ Dec 26th 2008 4:39PM]

I would buy the iphone if it had COPY/CUT AND PASTE

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 26th 2008 5:18PM]

By the way Engadget, could you start posting the real price of these subsidized 2-year contract AT&T devices as well as the advertised prices?

Or would you like me to do it? Assuming all else is constant:

Refurb 8GB iPhone 3G with 2 year iPhone data plan: $99 + (24 months * $30) = $99 + $720 = $819
Refurb 16GB iPhone 3G with 2 year iPhone data plan: $199 + (24 months * $30) = $199 + $720 = $919
An unlocked/no contract new Nokia E71: $370 + (24 months * $15) = $370 + 360 = $730

[npChaos @ Dec 26th 2008 7:41PM]

It's not free if you pay for it...

Also its ornery not awnery.

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 26th 2008 8:02PM]

"Or if you want, get it unsubsidized for $299, then what, no contract and no internet?"

Ornery and illiterate, it seems.

I'll reiterate and maybe throw in some more small words to help your understanding on the matter (I'll try and not make any more assumptions upon how much basic cognitive faculty you may or may not possess):

Refurb 8GB iPhone 3G with 2 year iPhone data plan: $99 + (24 months * $30) = $99 + $720 = $819
Refurb 16GB iPhone 3G with 2 year iPhone data plan: $199 + (24 months * $30) = $199 + $720 = $919
An unlocked/no contract new Nokia E71with data plan: $370 + (24 months * $15) = $370 + 360 = $730

Better, darling?

[Newone @ Dec 26th 2008 8:06PM]

Nokia E71 price with the 99$ and 199$ iPhone logic is 10$. Cheap enough?

[Salsa Shark @ Dec 26th 2008 11:44PM]

Why is there so much bitching about Apple not supporting cut and paste when they're not the only guilty ones out there?

Ever used Gmail on BlackBerry? Good luck doing any cutting and pasting there.

I'm not an Apple fan by any means, but I have a number of apps on my BlackBerry that don't support the functionality either.

[SkateNY @ Dec 27th 2008 12:10AM]

It rarely ceases to amaze me how there are so many people who were born without a sense of humor but, much to everyone else's dismay, they adamantly demand that they are, in fact, funny. This is one of them.

As I think about it, you are funny. Like the kind of funny that people with brains laugh at.

Two things a person needs to have a sense of humor: intelligence and perspective. Having neither, I do suggest that you stick to your day job.

Not even a nice try.

Based on your disasterous photo, you seem to be a very angry person. Please...don't go away mad; just go away.

Very few people care about other people's opinions; fewer still care about the ignorance that fuels such obvious stupidity.

[aYe aye @ Dec 27th 2008 3:29AM]

Ah ego, such lovely math.

Here's my aquasion:

Iphone 4gb refurb $250 + (10 months x $20 service) $200 + $200 (iphone 3G) + ( $30 x 14 months) $420 -$450 (unlocked 4gb sold it) total price $680...

Why'd you pay so much for an E71?!

[aYe aye @ Dec 27th 2008 3:43AM]

Oh! Oh! My turn! My turn!

IPhone $99 + $200 ETF unlock, no contract, (use ego sweeties carrier 24x$15) $360 = $659

Why DID you pay so much for your E71 sweetie?

[aYe aye @ Dec 27th 2008 3:53AM]

@All Engadget Readers:

My opologies for the 2 (now 3) in a row postings. eggothewaffle's girlfriend is over here tonight and, well, she just wanted in on the action (to explain the sweetie thing: that was Bubba, he's wondering why you never called?)

[Valicore @ Dec 26th 2008 2:51PM]

Awww Right after Christmas. Way to make people feel ripped off.

[Zuwxiv @ Dec 26th 2008 3:14PM]

You feel ripped off now?

AT&T is obviously anxious to dump these models, and Macworld is coming up January 5-9. This isn't a good deal, this is dumping stock - Apple is going to have a new model in January. That's when you should feel ripped off!

I always thought it was ballsy of Apple to announce new products in January, but this is the last Macworld for Apple anyway.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 26th 2008 4:54PM]

Ripped off is when you and your spouse pay enough to buy 9 iPhones a year with your AT&T plan.

[Levi @ Dec 26th 2008 6:00PM]

Ryan, the plans are as much as any Windows Mobile phone, don't be an idiot

[Chris2306 @ Dec 26th 2008 2:52PM]

Not sure if this is for everyone, but in the UK O2 is offering reconditioned iPhone 8gbs for free with the £35/mnth 18 mnth contract

[Chris2306 @ Dec 26th 2008 3:09PM]

Having just checked I think it's upgrade only though.
Although I upgraded from a simplicity contract, so you could take out a £10/mnth simplicity, then upgrade to iphone since it's a rolling ocntract

[lu1de @ Dec 26th 2008 3:10PM]

whatever that means

[Chris2306 @ Dec 26th 2008 3:19PM]

So sorry lu1de.

A Simplicity contact is a contract, provided by O2, where only a sim card is provided. It is a monthly rolling contract, so it can be cancelled pretty much whenever you like. However, on O2's sytem, it shows just as every other contract would, enabling you to upgrade, or switch tariffs using O2's system. Since the refurb iPhone I mentioned seems to be only available to current O2 customers, I suggested that if someone wanted a cheap recond. iphone, then they should sign up for the cheapest Simplicity contract (costing £10 a month), then upgrade to the 18 month, £35/month, iPhone contract. This means the 8gb iPhone, which normally costs £99 on the £35/month tariff, would only cost £10. It is reconditioned, but mine was in perfect condition when I got it, so I guess they would be ok!

Hope that clears that up for you, you sarcastic fellow you.

Chris

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 26th 2008 3:38PM]

Maybe he was asking whatever £ means :P

That sounds like a good plan, but really, There are so many free phone choices here in the UK for that magical £35/month that are all awesome that I would take over the iPhone. And this is no flaming, just my rational observation.

[Matthew C @ Dec 26th 2008 4:53PM]

how is it that you manage to sound British in just a single typed sentence? - i mean, ignoring the (i just realized i cant make a pound sign - lol) and all

[Jakob @ Dec 26th 2008 2:54PM]

"Ha, you or someone you love just paid full retail for an iPhone 3G a few days ago, didn't you?"

Merry Christmas, Engadget :/

[shugg @ Dec 26th 2008 3:49PM]

full retail ?yeah i just paid $600 on wednesdazy for an iphone in usan now feel ripped off.,.,dee dee dee

[KevinM @ Dec 26th 2008 2:58PM]

Well, paying retail for a NEW one is different than paying less for a USED one...

[bill cant fart @ Dec 26th 2008 3:00PM]

Yeah, but it's a hundred dollar difference!

[Valicore @ Dec 26th 2008 3:00PM]

Awww Right after Christmas. Way to make people feel ripped off.

[Ghen @ Dec 26th 2008 5:15PM]

Awww, right after your other post. Way to make people feel deja-vu.

[kevin @ Dec 26th 2008 3:01PM]

Hmmmm.... $100 off... Is it worth it? Have people had many problems with the refurbs? Very tempting...

[360modena @ Dec 26th 2008 3:22PM]

Apple does refurbs differently than most companies. The phone you receive will never have been used by anyone before you. The casing and screen are new, as are any "consumable" parts like the battery. Some internal components (bluetooth card, dock connector, etc) probably came from a returned phone. Also, it comes with the same warranty as a new product, so if a part fails you can just get it switched out. You'll receive the same type of replacement phone as anyone else, as well.

(Full disclosure, I've worked at an Apple Store as a Mac Genius.)

[MRCUR @ Dec 26th 2008 3:35PM]

Not to contradict what you're saying since you've worked as a Genius, but I believe AT&T is refurbing these phones a bit differently. They clearly say "iPhone refurbs may have some scratches" on their site, and the warranty may be "90 days or more."

[Galley @ Dec 26th 2008 5:09PM]

I picked up one of the original refurbs this past spring for $250. AT&T advertised a 1-year warranty, but according to Apple's records, it began on the original sales date of Aug. 2007. I faxed my info to Apple and within a few hours they changed the warranty date to April 2009.

[Levi @ Dec 26th 2008 6:03PM]

I've had a 4GB refurb for over a year, the only problems I had were related to the software updates, meaning it had nothing to do with the fact that it was a refurb. There were no scratches or ANYTHING wrong with it, I was super psyced. I bought it on the day the price went down, but before I knew the price went down. I thought I was paying $400 for it, I get home and find out I paid $250 for it. I was like HELL YEA!! Felt like winning $250 on a scratch off.

iPhone's not perfect, and Apple is overrated, but it's a great phone, and I have to commend their refurbs. Aside from myself, I've heard nothing but great things.

[Chris @ Dec 26th 2008 3:02PM]

I actually wouldn't mind going with a refurb, my friend's 3G screen cracked and he sent it back and the refurb he got looked brand new, maybe he just got lucky

[balls @ Dec 26th 2008 3:17PM]

No, according to apple, all refurb ipod/iphones get a brand new battery and a brand new shell.

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Dec 26th 2008 3:03PM]

Is this online only or do they offer these in stores?

[a ham sandwich @ Dec 26th 2008 3:04PM]

its not the price that's preventing me. its the network!

[balls @ Dec 26th 2008 3:11PM]

You mean NOTwork.

AMIRITE?

[Dakota @ Dec 26th 2008 3:29PM]

That's why you get the network with Verizon, silly!

[KAIKAI @ Dec 26th 2008 3:45PM]

but then the phone doesnt work silly :P

[MRCUR @ Dec 26th 2008 3:06PM]

I'm not sure this is available for current customers. I just checked under my account and none of the iPhones show up when I do a line upgrade. I checked with a line that is ready for discounted upgrades and one that isn't; still no iPhones. This would be great since I'd like to have an iPhone and still keep my Bold.

[Shugg @ Dec 26th 2008 5:22PM]

U don't qualify. U r not iPhone upgrade eligible due to u received a subsidy on AT&T phone discount from AT&T within the last 18 months,.

[MRCUR @ Dec 26th 2008 6:51PM]

I'm not sure why I wouldn't qualify, it clearly says online that my line (there are five total) is eligible for an upgrade (iPhone requires 2-year commitment). So why would that not apply to a refurb?

[staypuft13 @ Dec 26th 2008 3:07PM]

"Call us crazy, but we don't foresee these hanging around in stock for too awfully long."

Well I got this feeling that there's going to be plenty of refurbished stock...

[Richard @ Dec 26th 2008 3:11PM]

Buy this, tell at&t you "lost it", proceed to buy a second at full price, return the day after and tell them you don't like it to return the second one and cancel service/ contract.

You keep the first one to unlock when dev.team releases their app in a few days.

Cost = $99 + taxes, $36 activation fee, $70 + taxes (first month of service)

Would this work?

[balls @ Dec 26th 2008 3:15PM]

It would until AT&T blocks the SSID (or w/e) from their networks.

[balls @ Dec 26th 2008 3:16PM]

Each iPhone has a unique ID that in the event of it being lost or stolen, could be used to render it useless on the network. I'm not sure how it works for other carriers, but it would at least prohibit you from using it on AT&T network.

[Chris Y @ Dec 26th 2008 3:19PM]

Can someone explain to me why they would want to unlock their phone in the USA? You can't go prepaid on AT&T to get unlimited data for $20 anymore and you there isn't an unlimited data plan on T-Mobile.

I understand the point of unlocking if you're not in the US, but I just don't a way to go cheaper than the AT&T standard plan in the US.