AT&T relents a little, lets iPhone 3G customers with upcoming upgrade dates buy 3G S at full subsidy

The original plan was to offer mildly subsidized prices of $399 and $499 for the 16GB and 32GB versions of the iPhone 3G S to AT&T customers who weren't currently "upgrade eligible," but the carrier's having a change of heart, ostensibly in response to... you know, people wanting to pay less. The new plan is to let anyone with an upgrade date in the months of June, July, August, or September get in on the fully discounted $199 / $299 price points, which should cover a good number of existing 3G owners. Unfortunately, the way the upgrade date is calculated is black magic involving your monthly bill, your credit rating, your contract, and your astrological sign, so you'll need to log in to AT&T's site or call up a rep to figure out the full deal; we're told customers should start to see those new discounts reflected on their accounts as of tomorrow. And don't worry -- anyone who's already preordered will be receiving a full refund for the difference.

[Jobeleca Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:33PM]

you won't see it until after 6am EST (GMT-5) 06/18/2009.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 7:20PM]

All this is, is people bailing out on their responsibility and being all about me and what I want, what I deserve.

Basically these people who have never been told "no" and who have had everything handed to them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:14PM]

this is bullshit, im having to wait until august to upgrade from a blackjack ii to an iphone. why is this only for people who already had iphones?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:51PM]

i dont know why i have to wait even longer when ive had my current phone for 6 months longer than all these clowns and their iphone 3g

[Jobeleca Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:44PM]

just because... sorry but I really don't have a good answer your question, but since day 1 Apple has had exceptions to policy out the ying yang

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:51PM]

you have a point.. lol oh well its only two months i have to wait.. im pretty excied to get an iphone finally

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:56PM]

oh well, its stupid they should have to wait just like everyone else. its only two months until i can upgrade.. definitely getting the new iphone

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 9:50PM]

Awesome! it already said i was eligible on July 13th but i guess ill take a few weeks early. I have a friend that bought his 3G a day ahead of me and he is not eligible till 2010.. its probably because i pay 220 a month in service to them and he has the 70 dollar plan..

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jun 19th 2009 5:28AM]

Wow you are rich! Can you include me in your family plan :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 12:07AM]

Well seeing as AT&T are gracious enough to say FU to me and make me wait until December, I'll wait until Verizon get it and say FU AT&T!!!!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 1:25AM]

Does this version allow you to run an app in the background?

[JosephZ Posted Jun 18th 2009 5:43AM]

Only bad thing is it leaves out those who have to wait until January or pay the sad $550 for it. :(

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 9:44AM]

Disqualified because I don't pay AT&T at least $99/mo for service. Hurry up with that Verizon LTE iPhone already!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 12:20PM]

I bought the iPhone on the day it came out last year and spend over $100 a month on my bill, but they're STILL telling me that I'm not eligible for an upgrade until December. Thanks, AT&T and your magic formula, for offering us something you knew you weren't gonna deliver on.

BTW, it should be noted that I bought the first generation iPhone on launch day as well. So last year, I WAS eligible to upgrade after a year. But this year I have to wait 18 months.

Any new rumors on WHEN next year Verizon is getting the iPhone?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 12:32PM]

I'm not sure I understand the rationale of allowing existing iPhone users upgrade early, but not others. I have my old Razr that is eligible for upgrade in September, and my wife has an iPhone that I got her last Christmas. I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 (I think) for the Razr, because my old Razr died. AT&T doesn't want me to start paying for another unlimited data plan now? Has anyone had any luck in negotiating an early upgrade fro the 3Gs?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 1:09PM]

I have a Samsung Blackjack 2 (that I hate) and I'm eligible for an upgrade in August. I was hoping to be covered by this new relaxed plan, but that is not the case. AT&T told me they only are offering this to current iPhone 3G users. I know that's what it says in the AT&T release, but I had to check anyway.

I can't think of a really good reason for AT&T to allow an early upgrade for people with an iPhone but not another device. Perhaps Apple is giving AT&T a break on the cost of the device for current iPhone users to reward brand loyalty. I have news for AT&T: You don't have another phone that your iPhone users would rather have. They would sooner give up a kidney than use one of your other devices. The Blackjack is GARBAGE and WM6 sucks IMHO.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 1:11PM]

I logged into my account again today and I am still not eligible for a subsidized upgrade. I've been with AT&T since the release of the first phone and renewed last year on launch date. My bill is under $100 so perhaps that is why :(

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 1:41PM]

Spoke to a store rep. who pulled out an internal email that listed 3 conditions for the $199 upgrade:
1. bought your iphone 3G last July - September
2. recurring spend on your wireless account $100 or more per month per line
3. no late payment, etc.

#2 disqualified me. Sucks!

[Rjbuddyboi Posted Jun 19th 2009 5:36AM]

The etc. in #3 disqualified me :-)

[outsidah Posted Jun 18th 2009 2:08PM]

Has anyone seen a positive change in status today at all? Maybe they havent done the update yet?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 7:27PM]

"$100 or more per month per line"

Ahhh...that's per LINE. I thought it was 100 or more per BILL. Well, that sucks. My two lines are about 60.00/per. Shoot.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 9:38PM]

FUCK ATT

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2009 12:30AM]

OK This is kinda weird . I checked on the new iphone when they announced it and it was 500 for me to upgrade to a 32gb 3gs. I checked today and the 32gb is 299 through the website. I bought the iphone 3g last year in august and have the 900 min plan with unlimited messaging. So my bill doesnt top over 99 a month. I have been with att since 1998 so maybee that is why i can upgrade?
is the 3gs really worth the upgrade or should ihold out until next year for something new?

[haveacoke Posted Jun 30th 2009 9:33AM]

This is total crap... I am completely eligible based on this announcement.. but according to AT&T I am not since I didn't purchase the iPhone 3G the month it was released. AT&T should be held liable since this is not written anywhere.