AT&T confirms contract-free $599 / $699 iPhone 3Gs for next week

Just in time to nab your soon-to-be-jailbroken copy of iPhone OS 3.0, AT&T has now confirmed that commitment-free iPhones are going to happen -- soon, in fact. As of next Thursday, you'll be able to waltz into the AT&T store of your choice and pick up an 8GB or 16GB unit for $599 and $699, respectively; that's a little harder to swallow than the normal $199 / $299, granted, but in exchange, you're free and clear without two years of your precious life sold off to a wireless carrier like it's a cheap piece of meat. You're worth more than that, you know?

[Jeremy @ Mar 19th 2009 7:04PM]

Without Jailbreaking: Does this make it any easier for someone to just buy one. Get a sim from another carrier and activate with them instead of AT&T? Or is the phone locked to AT&T regardless of the SIM inserted?

[brandon @ Mar 19th 2009 7:12PM]

$20 says you can kiss your hopes of an unlocked iPhone 3G goodbye.

[brandon @ Mar 19th 2009 7:14PM]

P.S. Unlocked out the door of AT&T, not jailbroken.

[Amrit @ Mar 19th 2009 7:14PM]

"The Associated Press quoted an AT&T representative Thursday confirming plans to sell no-contract iPhones for $599 or $699 starting next Thursday, as first reported Wednesday by the Boy Genius Report. There's a catch, however; those phones will still be locked to AT&T's network."

-cnet [http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10200602-37.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0]

dev team ftw !!!

[louisville1987 @ Mar 19th 2009 7:58PM]

the phone is locked to ATT
the point is to get the phone without contract.
i think if u get it with contract and pay the starting and cancellation fees it will be cheaper.

[TheSuburbanWhiteBoy @ Mar 19th 2009 8:15PM]

So I'll be able to unlock this and use it on Verizon? right? right?

[louisville1987 @ Mar 19th 2009 8:25PM]

there is no way to use it on Verizon or sprint only GSM networks

[John @ Mar 20th 2009 2:19AM]

the (stupid) idea is that you buy this and then start using a plan you're already stuck in with it.

[xaronfisk @ Mar 19th 2009 7:04PM]

That is way too expensive. You could get them unlocked on ebay for less than that.

[Bob-B @ Mar 19th 2009 8:05PM]

Contractless iPhones have been available since last year for $450.99. Buy the phone, wait 31 days, cancel the contract. $199.99 for the iPhone 3g 8GB, $75 (approximately) for one month of service, $175 early termination fee. Done deal.

[louisville1987 @ Mar 19th 2009 8:27PM]

the point is not unlocked or not its getting the phone without contract

[roygilmer @ Mar 26th 2009 12:43PM]

Not if you have crappy credit, like Me. $900 Deposit? Son of a _______! Hope I can keep it prepaid like my old one!

[KezMondo @ Mar 19th 2009 7:05PM]

699$ !!! I could build a computer that RUNS CRYSIS for that!

[ntlam @ Mar 19th 2009 7:50PM]

crysis? huh? long long time legend...

maybe a 699 phone running crysis?

[lu1de @ Mar 20th 2009 5:05AM]

but you wouldn't have an awesome phone

[Hamidxa @ Mar 19th 2009 7:05PM]

They are out of their damned minds, but not more so than the fools who actually part with that much money for this still crippled and already outdated phone.

[Shank @ Mar 19th 2009 7:26PM]

You sound broke. U the minority here. 320 million Americans have spoken n fir 21 months has shattered smartphone sales, zero to million in 72 hours, highest satisfacction rate of all times. In USA iPhone carries 68% of cell Internet traffic ,now web y gotta admit that us sick dude. A crippled phone clearly killing n raping well established cell manufcturers. In just 1.5 years, imagine when it's 5 year annuversay comes around. An underdog story, agh it feels good to root for the underdog. Crippled yet killing dominating. Unstoppable movement has winmi fanboys panties in a bunch. What a success story, iPhone also impacted price of smartphones here in USA , smartphone rule 1 is u can not be priced higher than iPhone in USA or u will fail. I'm sure u agree. Feature rich does not guarantee success nor is formula to be iphonekiller.!!!

[Jeremy K. @ Mar 19th 2009 7:38PM]

Shank, I have no idea what you just wrote.

[Ry @ Mar 19th 2009 8:25PM]

yea wtf are you talking about? He sounds broke because he doesn't want to spend 700 on a phone? Rich or poor, 700 for a celly is ridiculous..

[Shank @ Mar 20th 2009 2:08AM]

yeah a fad 21 million sold in 21 months. a fad that sent cell manufactures to clone city n made them followers, a fad that is killing nokia,a fad highest cust sat rate on a cell of all time,a fad now bb world,symbian app store,android app store ala clone,a fad visual vmail,buttonless,ambient lite sensors,accelorometer,a fad first real true html wifi browser period, a fad 68% of all mobile internet in usa is on iphones.what a fad.n now they got us looking forward to another fad version 3.0.dang fads sound multibillionaire like.
let me start off by saying i hate apple. I have no loyalty to any cell carrier or manufacturer. I do have loyalty to most innovative cell out at the present time. i will buy pre on release date n return within 30 day rule if it does not clearly kill iphone.ive returned 8 cells within 30 day return policy in last 3 years.since 2003 ive only owned smartphones,ive been with every major cell provider in california since 1995,lacelular,airtouch,pacificbell wireless,cing,sprint,vzw,tmobil etc.,i base all my facts on personal knowledge usage.
if anything i could be called sony fanboy,due to i own sony 52 inch 120 hz,ps3,psp,sony surround sound hdmi,sony t700,sony 30gb hdd hidef cam,another surruond sound,another 60 inch sony,17' sony vaio laptop w/8 gb ram builtin blu ray player,thats my baby no one fcuks with it.ill stop there.
I would never buy apple laptop,when u can get way better 1080p bluray laptop for way less.my next big purchase is sony 11" inch laptop w/built in bluray.now that is sick.
We have here another decision by att/apple that will only benefit their partnership ,iphone sales. Proof once again revolution occurring as we speak now here in usa. We also need to remember iphone is only recession proof device. 2007, 2008 was one of att/apple strongest years in history. Highest customer satisfaction rate of any smartphone of all times. Iphone handles 68% of mobill internet traffic in usa.,we talking population of 320 million. Thats insane
!this will only cause iphone to pull away from vzw,sprint n tmobil, and driving them closer to bankruptcy. I see some of u also pointed out iphone lack of tehering,video,removable battery. Welcome to the revolution. We all need to remember success is measured by sales here in the usa,ask any ceo. Iphone a true underdog defied all odds n has gained the coveted title by engadgeters of best smartphone of 2008,over some very good competition.Pre will tank hard guaranteed,2 yr contract $350 plus mandatory $99 plan for 2 years..it will turn into another instinct or glide. Being feature rich does not guarantee success,ask every single failed iphonekiller.,I have spoken n silenced all, now bring on the hate mail.,.,.,

[Robert @ Mar 20th 2009 3:50AM]

What?

[Newone @ Mar 20th 2009 6:09AM]

Shanks just irrated as he can no longer use the 199$ iPhone price whenever a noncompensated price is mentioned.

And what you get with 599$ is still network locked phone, crippled.

[Bob-B @ Mar 20th 2009 6:23PM]

Shank, bro, I know you love the iPhone and all...it's just... not even a "Mac Genius" can understand a word you typed. I also don't think anyone said anything about the iPhone being a fad. It is here to stay, but that price is still far too high. It costs twice as much as an iPod touch, and that phone, 3g chip, and microphone sure aren't worth $320. Please settle down so that we can maybe understand you, and quit returning so many dang cell phones, you commission tease.

[NeverEver @ Mar 19th 2009 7:06PM]

Yeah, cheap piece of meat is right. But who are you going to go to TMobile? No, because the phone will still be locked to AT&T. So since you will still be using AT&T, why not let them pay for 2/3 of the cost of your phone for you? That's $400 bucks, and I don't think principle worth that much...

[nikster @ Mar 19th 2009 8:06PM]

The issue of course is that AT&T isn't going to give you a better contract just because you paid full price. So you have two choices:

A - Get the lock-in contract. Pay less upfront, pay back the full price over 2 years by paying more for the service every month.
B - Pay full price upfront. Get raped in the ass for 2 years by _still_ by paying more for the service every month without actually getting anything for it.

The issue is of course they are not going to offer a much cheaper unsubsidized contract. Because they want you to choose (A). The system works the same in Europe and other places where subsidized phones are the norm. The equation is... are you smart? Get locked in!

In countries where subsidies don't exist and all phones are full price the contracts and cell phones are _much_ cheaper. I pay a few cents a minute to call anywhere and $3/month for 20 hours of internet use which is plenty for light iphone usage...

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 19th 2009 7:11PM]

O2 introduced this in the UK last year. Didn't get that many takers.

[v3xx @ Mar 19th 2009 7:11PM]

maybe i'm missing something critical here but i'd still be paying about 100 bucks a month for my service while also paying 600-700 bucks on top of that. why not just get the two year contract. you'd be pretty stupid to buy this phone at this price only to change your mind cause you cant use it with another company...or can you (without hacking). it seems like it'd be cheaper to break your contract half way through than pay this price.

btw is it really that hard to carry a touch and a cell phone at the same time?

[bryanapa @ Mar 19th 2009 7:11PM]

So, if you bought it at $299 with a 2 year commitment... and then bailed after a few months.. you'd have to pay the $175 fee... Isn't that cheaper than dumping $699 up front? Or am I missing something?

[Alex @ Mar 19th 2009 7:15PM]

I agree. Why wouldn't you just sign up with a contract and then cancel it and pay the ETF. Will the $199 jump to $599 if you cancel early plus have to pay the ETF?

[JohnnyCaraveo @ Mar 19th 2009 9:52PM]

There are still activation fees, not to mention contracts, and having to buy them out.
Also how does buying out your contract affect your CREDIT? Good, Bad, Mutual?

[Gipionocheiyort @ Mar 20th 2009 12:47PM]

Buying out a cell phone contract doesn't affect your credit one way or the other....it's never reported to the bureau in the first place unless the account goes to collections.

[Shank @ Mar 19th 2009 7:12PM]

People , u got what u asked fir!!stop whining !!

[Zack @ Mar 19th 2009 7:36PM]

um...not really at all. i'm pretty sure the "asking for" is an unlocked phone. This deal as they have it now, as pointed out by so many people, is pointless.

[Decoy @ Mar 19th 2009 7:45PM]

How dare anyone make fun of iPhone... after all she's been through!

All you people care about is readers and making money off of her. She's a phone! What you don't realise is iPhone is making you all this money and all you do is write a bunch of crap about her.

All you people want is more more more more MORE!

LEAVE HER ALONE! You're lucky she even performs for you bastards!

LEAVE IPHONE ALONE!

[trevor @ Mar 19th 2009 10:48PM]

@decoy

lol, i see what you did there

[Asuka @ Mar 19th 2009 7:13PM]

So for an extra $100, you get 8 more gigs? 400 - to 500% mark up from the market price of memory? Really?

[v3xx @ Mar 19th 2009 7:19PM]

seriously man. by the way i just checked and the iphone 3g build cost is about 175.

[Jeremy @ Mar 19th 2009 7:22PM]

Depends on the type of memory you're talking about. 8GB of RAM for your desktop or laptop can easily cost the $100 upcharge. An 8GB USB drive, well thats not anywhere near $100. But they're totally different types of memory.

[Nelagster @ Mar 19th 2009 8:29PM]

its Apple what'd you expect

[Ken @ Mar 19th 2009 7:14PM]

Next Headline reads

"AT&T to go fuck themselves"

[Joe @ Mar 19th 2009 7:14PM]

What's the big deal with getting a phone without signing a contract anyway? As if switching carriers every so often makes sense.

[Thinker @ Mar 19th 2009 7:18PM]

This just means that AT&T have made more than what they paid for, for the iPhones. Thats why they were/are $199 and such, because AT&T paid for the rest, and you paid for the 'rest' through their plans.

I just dont see anybody paying $600 for a phone that will be replaced (possibly) in the summer.

[zerom33 @ Mar 19th 2009 7:17PM]

It's cheaper to just buy the subsidized iPhone and pay the termination fee. And even cheaper if you get a refurbished one.

[OG @ Mar 19th 2009 7:58PM]

I believe if you cancel your contract early, you have to return the subsidized phone.

[Guilherme @ Mar 19th 2009 7:18PM]

" BREAKING" my bank account!!!!

[marco @ Mar 19th 2009 7:18PM]

I don't need a iPhone that bad, whats AT&T and Apple thinking

[Patriks7 @ Mar 20th 2009 5:29PM]

Oh sorry, we forgot you're the only person in the world.

[DR House @ Mar 19th 2009 7:24PM]

Apple Whores Rejoice ! now you can get your 2MB phone camera for the low price of 700$

[Zak @ Mar 19th 2009 7:44PM]

I love how you think you need more than 2MB in a cameraphone. What were you planning to do with the pictures you take on your phone? Blow print them out on billboards? No, you were planning on uploading them to a web site, or facebook, or something like that. Do you understand that when you upload pics to web sites like FB, or even on your own site, you're not going to post them at 800x600? You're going to DOWNSIZE them from 2MB.

So why do you need more than 2MB on a phone?

You don't. If you want to take real pictures, you use a real camera.

Also, last time I checked I can still get an iPhone for $199. $700 what now?

[DR House @ Mar 19th 2009 7:54PM]

Only apple fans would say 2MB camera phone is enough
Everyone else would tell you to shove it

Apple fans is hypocrites They said the same about copy/paste and bluetooth etc now they got them and they are partying over it
Watch apple fans Buy the new Iphone with 3.2 MB camera releasing this summer and they will tell you how useful the new camera is lol