AT&T: upgrade to iPhone 4 up to six months early
By Darren Murph 
posted June 7th 2010 1:30PM
posted June 7th 2010 1:30PM
Update: Good news, addicts! AT&T just pinged us to clarify that so long as your upgrade date is anytime in 2010, you're now eligible to spend an additional two years paying dues to AT&T. In other words, a fair amount of you will be able to buy one of these at contract price on day one. The full statement is after the break, along with AT&T's full pricing release.
AT&T to Offer iPhone 4 on June 24
Best Pricing Immediately Available to Any iPhone Customer Eligible for Upgrade in 2010
Preordering for iPhone 4 and New $99 iPhone 3GS 8GB Available June 15 at AT&T Retail and Online Stores
DALLAS, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T*, the U.S. smartphone leader, today announced it will offer iPhone 4, the thinnest smartphone ever with all-new design, FaceTime video calling, Apple's stunning new Retina display, 5 megapixel camera and HD video recording. iPhone 4 will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model, in company retail stores and online at www.att.com/iphone, plus business channels, beginning June 24. Customers can preorder starting June 15.
To let current iPhone customers quickly upgrade to iPhone 4, AT&T will make its best pricing immediately available to any iPhone customer who would be upgrade eligible for a discounted device by the end of 2010.
"This is another very exciting day for AT&T customers," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "By teaming with Apple to deliver an extraordinary device over the nation's fastest 3G network, we're enabling our customers to access their favorite social networks and favorite business applications."
"We know that people are eager to get iPhone 4, which is why we moved up the upgrade eligibility date for current iPhone customers by up to six months. This move, combined with the new wireless data plans we announced last week, will make it more affordable for more people to purchase an iPhone and enjoy the benefits of the mobile Internet."
In addition, a new iPhone 3GS 8GB for $99 will also be available on June 24.
Pricing
iPhone 4 and the new iPhone 3GS 8GB will be available at a variety of attractive price points for customers.
All new and current iPhone customers who are upgrade eligible, plus existing customers who choose to upgrade early must agree to a two-year term commitment, and select an eligible voice and data plan for iPhone. No commitment pricing does not require a two-year term commitment, but does require both voice and data service.
AT&T will also offer current iPhone 3GS 16GB and 32GB models at new, lowered price points of $149 (16GB) and $199 (32GB), with a two-year term commitment plus voice and data plans, while supplies last.
Eligibility
Existing iPhone customers eligible for an upgrade between today and the end of this year have been made immediately eligible for AT&T's best pricing for iPhone 4 with a new two-year term commitment. Consumers can verify upgrade eligibility at www.att.com/iphone today. Business customers can verify upgrade eligibility at AT&T's Premier site, https://www.wireless.att.com/business/.
Preordering
Consumers may preorder iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS 8GB at AT&T retail stores or online at www.att.com/iphone beginning June 15. Business customers can preorder through their AT&T sales representative or by visiting AT&T's Premier site. For greater convenience and faster delivery, preorders can be shipped directly to a customer's home or business for delivery as early as June 24. Customers can also have a preorder shipped to their local AT&T store for pick up on or after Friday, June 25.
AT&T stores will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and will accommodate as many customers as possible.
Consumer Plans
AT&T customers can choose from several monthly plans that start as low as $54.99 per month for individual plans with voice and data. For families, customers can now add additional iPhones to their FamilyTalk account for as little as $24.99 per month, providing voice and data service. All iPhone plans include nationwide long distance and domestic roaming, Visual Voicemail, Rollover, and unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling.
Business Plans
Small business customers may qualify for AT&T BusinessTalk®, a shared minute plan specifically for small businesses. Companies can share up to 20,000 minutes per month among as many as 40 employees. In addition, business customers and employees of many businesses are eligible for discounted service rates. For more information, customers can contact an AT&T business account representative or visit www.att.com/iphoneforbusiness.
New Wireless Data Plans
iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS customers can choose one of AT&T's new data plans: DataPlus, which provides 200MB for just $15, and DataPro which provides 2GB for just $25. Existing AT&T smartphone customers upgrading to iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS are not required to switch to a new plan, but can choose to do so. iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G customers can add tethering to AT&T DataPro for an additional $20 per month.
Each data plan includes unlimited Wi-Fi usage at more than 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide at no additional charge. AT&T will help customers monitor and manage wireless data usage by sending text messages and emails as customers begin to approach their usage limit, and by providing online tools, including an iPhone app that shows monthly usage information.
Currently, less than 98 percent of AT&T smartphone customers use more than 2 GB a month on average. More information on the new data plans can be found at www.att.com/dataplans.
Additional news regarding iPhone 4 will be posted in the AT&T Media Newsroom at www.att.com/iphone_news.
For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com. For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
Any existing iPhone customer eligible for an upgrade between today and the end of this year will be eligible for our best pricing for iPhone 4, $199 and $299, with a two year term commitment.
· Customers can verify upgrade eligibility at www.att.com/iphone or by dialing *639#. (ABS customers can dial *639# or visit the Premier site, https://www.wireless.att.com/business/).
· Our upgrade tools already reflects this new timeframe.
I wonder what the price will be for the iPhone 4 for those that don't get the upgrade discount, for me only one of my iPhones which are on a family plan is eligible even though both were purchased the same day...
@CEspino Historically its been about $399 except for the first iphone. That $399 price is for a two year commitment.
Somewhere in the $699 range I believe to be contract free although contract free phones tend to not be available in the united states right off the bat.
Will this be the same on o2?
Funny that AT&T's wireless page is down... If this is a sign of things to come.....
Verizon and cdma get no iphone love, apple isn't gonna release a cdma iphone ever, haha verizon suckers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@iferfriend you clearly mean iPhone suckers on at&t
I am not alone here--I have confirmed with a few other friends. I upgraded from a 3G to a 3GS on the day the 3GS launched (June 2009). ATT shows our upgrade date as 2/20/2011 (with a early upgrade option in November 2010). Anyone else experiencing this? And to the person knocking people for expecting a discounted price after a year, shut the hell up. I'd better damned well get a good discount on a phone if I am signing a new 2-year agreement with a $325 early termination fee.
@FlipMode99
You are not alone. I am experiencing the same thing. I purchased the 3gs on day 1 and am seeing the same 2/20/2011 upgrade date.
I called ATT support and the girl said I am basically out of luck. I explained the situation and she seemed to understand, but said that the system determines an upgrade date and lots of variables go into it, not just 18 months from purchase date. Then she said there is nothing she can do.
It will cost me $120 to cancel att. I want to cancel so bad but I love my iphone.
@FlipMode99
More info:
It appears I have a "Premier" account at ATT. This was a discount offered by my previous employer. I linked my Att account with their national discount to get a savings of 10%. This 10% savings bumps my upgrade date to 20 months instead of 18 making me fall right out of eligibility.
Total BS.
Okay, I'm probably not going to upgrade anyway but I've tried the *639# method and it tells me I have to pay a higher price to upgrade or wait until 2/20/2011. I pre-ordered the 3GS and picked it up on launch day so what gives??
Not sure why its so hard to understand.
I bought the 3GS on launch and am eligible.
24 month contract
Typical upgrade is at 18 months.
3GS Release Date: June 2009
Contract End: June 2011
Upgrade Date (18 months in): December 2010
New Upgrade Date: TODAY - June 2010
Sooooooo if you bought your 3GS at launch you should be able to upgrade to this! It's that simple, nimrods.
And no, you will NOT be forced to choose one of the new data plans, which has been said 90 billionty effing times. If you never had one or are a new customer, yes, you will have to choose one of the new ones.
@injustifiiable well it seems there are special circustances were this doesn't apply. I too got a 3GS on day one, and am no eligible till 2/2011. I am the second line on the account, so maybe that's it.
@injustifiiable What sux is that both iPhones on a family plan are not eligibile at same time. My primary line is clear for June 2010 upgrade, but my wife's secondary line has to wait until Feb 2010 for upgrade. Bummer.
Same thing happening to me. I bought my iPhone 3GS on June 27th and when I tried to check my upgrade eligibility it says I must wait till 2/28/11 to upgrade. I'm not the main number on the account, if that matters.
@gatlin15 I think there is something to do with the main account and how much $ is spent how early you get upgrades. My friend bought 2 phones at the same time and the main account was eligible and the other account wasn't. That is just what they said.
I don't understand then. I bought the 3gs on launch day and it is saying my upgrade eligibility isn't until 2/20/10. People all across the country are saying that their dates have changed but mine has not. I do not understand why. Engadget is saying that early 3gs owners should be eligible to get the Iphone 4. Anyone able to shed some light on this?
@JoeStanley42
yea, im in the same boat...it says 2/20 for me as well. can engadget get a clear message from ATT. I bought the 3gs on launch day
@JoeStanley42 I have bought every iPhone either on Launch or within the same week of Launch, So I have had to pay extra for each iPhone. So with that being said, I purchased the 3GS on launch week, and when I type in the *639# it gives me "You may select equipment at our full retail pricing. An upgrade may be available 3/3/2011" grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
@JoeStanley42 I have bought every iPhone either on Launch or within the same week of Launch, So I have had to pay extra for each iPhone. So with that being said, I purchased the 3GS on launch week, and when I type in the *639# it gives me "You may select equipment at our full retail pricing. An upgrade may be available 3/3/2011" grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Up to six months early? Sounds like they're scared of Sprint and the EVO!!!
I'm still a bit confused...I dialed the number given and here's the txt I got as a reply. I purchased a 3G refurbished with 2yr contract on June 16, 2009.
"As a valued customer, we can offer you an upgrade with a new 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee."
Does this mean I'm eligible for an iphone4 upgrade or not?
@midimid Yes it does, you need to sign a new 2 year contract like everyone else.
I'm a premiere customer and I'm not eligible. My wife is regular customer and she is eligible. We both have the same purchase date of the 3GS.
It would seem like an earlier poster is right. If you saved $20 a month or so from premiere, they don't feeel like you spent enough over a year to warrant an early upgrade. I guess I have to spend my $250 savings over the past 12 months on a $399 phone.
@nsfw I think you got it right. I am a Premier customer as well and I bought the iphone 3GS as a new customer on launch day. My message says "A full discount on a standard handset or iPhone upgrade is not available as this time but you may qualify on 02/20/2011. We can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade at a higher price with a 2-yr commitment and an $18 upgrade fee. Please visit a participating iPhone sales location for pricing on this offer." This sucks big time.
I bought my iPhone 3GS last december. If I want the iPhone 4 do I have to pay more than $199 for it? When I bought my iPhone I updated my contract. Would suck if I have to wait till december to get it at $199.
That has to be it, NSFW hit it on the head....I'm a Premiere customer as well and am not showing an updated eligibility date, and I got a 3GS at launch. I'll wait for the next one...
Man...everyone here is so greedy:( Apple has been like this with every device it has! Every year there's an upgrade. IPad users will complain next year when the next iPad comes out!
The main reason Apple is so successful is because their smart and innovative. Think about...iPhone was THE phone in 2007. Then the 3G brought the App Store. The don't put all thier eggs in one basket on the first try! That makes thier devices more appealing because they just work...period!
I got my first iPhone 3 months b4 the 3GS came out. I was miffed, but I knew what to expect.
And face it, Verizon, 4G...it's all good. But ATT is the ONLY carrier that offers the fastest 3G and simultanious boice n data! Apple won't offer thru them until CDMA can do it. That's part of the innovation! That's why they chose ATT! Cause who wants a smartphone that can't do both or needs WiFi to compensate!
I live in an EdGE area and I rarely use mine outside of work n home. So I'm upgrading and gonna relish in it!
Here's my question. (actually surprised I can't find anyone else in the same predicament) My wife's iphone 3GS has been bumped up (YEAH!!) Mine is not, BUT I didn't get it at launch day. So, mine won't be available until Sept 2011. Same issue last year but no big deal. Got the phone, switched sim cards. (I bet you know where I'm going with this one now, don't you.)
What are my options since we can't swap sim cards now as iPhone 4 is a micro sim??? Will AT&T keep me from doing this? (Is there even a way) Can I swap #'s on the phones?
Thanks for any direction on this... Not ready to call AT&T and ask 9 people, all of which probably won't know!
within the next 6 months we will see a verizon iphone.
Something is clearly going on. based on the fact they are opening up the upgrade 6 months early, ipad is on ATT (which could theoretically get apple out of the exclusivity contract because they do have a unique) device on the network... And based on Steves comments about welcoming another network to the iphone.
Or i could be full of crap.
This hear fone sonds good, But were can i get a fone thats just a fone? i dont need all them g's thangs,
Just did the phone # from my 3GS and it says $18 to upgrade. It didnt say "iphone upgrade" like someone else posted though. Also, I am a Premier customer and got the 3GS within the first week it came out, and it seems Im good for the upgrade. I know this goes against the theory with Premier so wanted to pass it on
"Scott: So anyone who purchased the Iphone 3gs on the day it launched will not be eligible to upgrade to Iphone 4 until Feb 20, 2011? Is that correct?
Cindy Moya: That is correct. In order to receive the full discounted price you will have to wait until that date. However, you can purchase it as an early upgrade pricing. The pricing for the iPhone 4 16GB is $399, and for the 32GB is $499, as an early upgrade."
--------What Gives?---------
Why are there so many different stories of who can upgrade and who cannot?
Does this only apply for current iPhone users? I currently have a Blackberry, so do I have to wait an extra 2 months?
hmmm this seem odd to anyone else?
iPhone Upgrade
As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade at a higher price, along with a 2-year commitment and an $18 upgrade fee. Please proceed with the online upgrade process for pricing details. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 08/16/2010
@Bman
I'm getting the same message, only my date is 7/19/10... I'm a premier customer, so I'm guessing its because of my FAN number. I called Customer Service, and they didn't have an answer for me other than "go to a corporate store, they can help you out". I went to the corporate store, and they said that its by your contract end date, despite the press release saying otherwise. I then showed them the message, and they said "well, your contract obviously ends this year then, otherwise you wouldn't get this message." I told them to look at my account, because my contract ends 2/19/2011... they didn't have an answer for me other than "the premier accounts probably haven't received the upgrade eligibility push yet...it'll happen"...
not very reassuring...granted, its only a couple weeks I'd have to wait for the new phone
@tinj316 I'm not a premier customer, and my contract really does end in august I had an iphone 3g and got rid of it for an android phone but I still want to try the new iphone 4 myself and then maybe i'll switch back never know
on another note will everyone that gets an iphone 4 have to get the new data plans? anyway I can stay on my $30/month plan?
So really this "early" deal that AT&T has isn't a deal at all. They have always allowed you to upgrade at 18 months after signing a 24 month contract. I don't see how this is special now.
AT&T, you're so good to me. But tomorrow I'm going to see if anyone can be nicer. Regardless, you'll have at least one extra phone to sell in Jan 2011 when you think I've been a good enough customer to upgrade.
what if you have an account with at&t and your upgrade date is before the end of 2010 but the phone you have is not an iphone? i have an lg shine that i bought in 2008 and my upgrade date is in october. do i get the pre order price of 199 pr 299? or should i just wait until it comes out and buy it at the store instead of preordering?