AT&T To Loosen Some Upgrade Restrictions for New iPhones

By Jeralyn, Section Off Topic
Posted on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 07:36:48 PM EST
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AT&T is giving an inch in the new iPhone upgrade wars. Now, if you spend $99 a month or more (pdf), you should "generally" be eligible to upgrade after 12 to 18 months.

One big problem: They've sold out of the new phones. But they say starting tomorrow, they may have a few more. You can check your upgrade status starting tomorrow here.

According to CNET:

If you qualify for the best upgrade pricing, you will pay $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model--these are the same prices AT&T will charge new customers signing up for a two-year contract. If you don't fall into either of those categories, you may be eligible for what AT&T calls its "early upgrade pricing": $399 and $499 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively.

Update below:

I just checked my AT&T account and it says I can't upgrade until Dec. 28, 2009. I just sent them this e-mail:

I spend over $100 a month, have had my iPhone 3G for 12 months, have had this ATT wireless account for years and have been an ATT stockholder for more than 50 years. Why does my upgrade eligibility say not before Dec. 28, 2009? This is not fair. I should qualify for an upgrade now.

What do you think their response will be? So far, all I've gotten is this:

An AT&T Online Specialist has been assigned to your case and will respond to your concern within 2 business days; however, our response may be sooner. We will do our best to exceed your expectations.

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AT&T To Loosen Some Upgrade Restrictions for New iPhones | 13 comments (13 topical)

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What is the difference (none / 0) (#1)
by Steve M on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 07:43:45 PM EST

between 3G and 3GS? Is 3G the old model?

I'm kind of interested in an iPhone, my old blackberry knockoff is kind of beat up... but my IT guy doesn't seem to be 100% confident I can get my office email on the iPhone. Is it compatible with whatever email servers a Blackberry is compatible with?

Ok Steve, I'm going to betray my (none / 0) (#2)
by andgarden on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 08:29:21 PM EST

fellow apple cultists and tell you to stay away from the iPhone. If you are comfortable with the blackberry, the iPhone probably isn't for you.

And I love my iPhone.


I don't (none / 0) (#3)
by Steve M on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 09:03:52 PM EST

have a blackberry, I have a cheap knockoff from Samsung. I actually use the web browser to get my mail.

My wife has an iPhone and it seems pretty cool, although she has a hard time keeping it out of the hands of a certain little girl who likes to watch videos.


Ok, well, here's what I would suggest (none / 0) (#4)
by andgarden on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 09:22:46 PM EST

First, make sure you're comfortable typing on a glass keyboard, especially the new horizontal keyboard that's available in OS X for iPhone version 3.

Second, Apple claims that its iPhone mail client is well-integrated with Outlook. Take that with a grain of salt and actually try it with your office's server. Abscond with your wife's phone--blame it on your daughter*--and try to set it up.

*Does she like ice cream? Promise her ice cream later!


Seems really user friendly.... (none / 0) (#12)
by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 10:49:30 AM EST

I get many a call and email from my 18 month old grandson from his parent's iPhones. He figured out that phone really fast.


: No doubt, it BEGS to be touched (none / 0) (#13)
by andgarden on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 12:13:43 PM EST

My friend went from Blackberry to iPhone (none / 0) (#5)
by nycstray on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 10:25:20 PM EST

very happy camper. In fact, she was happy when her Blackberry "died"* so she could "justify" an iPhone. She's on her second one now and has let me play with both. Now that they are starting to get better storage capacity, I might consider one. They also take a decent enough pic when you don't want to carry a camera, and for some reason, I find taking pics with them easier than my phone. Although that could be because I didn't have a dog on a leash when I used the iPhone and I generally do when I use my phone, lol!~ We also find the iPhone easy and pretty quick for checking FFB scores while we're at the stadium!

* we think it may have been a dead battery or something, but she wasn't "willing" to check it out ;)


For casual users, the iPhone is better (none / 0) (#6)
by andgarden on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 10:50:19 PM EST

But for people who live and breath email, the glass virtual keyboard just can't match a real one.


My friend uses hers quite a bit (none / 0) (#7)
by nycstray on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 11:46:44 PM EST

as she did the Blackberry. For me, there's no learning curve/change as I've avoided the Blackberry type thingies :) If she finds the keyboard isn't as great, I think her happiness with the other features is a payoff in her favor. Her phone devices are always front and center on the table etc. She's not annoying as she's very polite when using, but it's still a major "connection" for her. Me, I'm the "preferred to be unconnected" type. I'll never forget when pagers were gaining in popularity and a client wanted to put me on one, OY! I was already known for answering her calls in the earliest AM up until midnight depending which coast she was on. Nowadays, I'll answer the phone in the dog run (to tell them I'll call back when I'm done and try and avert any "crisis" if they just need a simple answer), but check email? Not. a. chance.

Aren't the Blackberry keypads smaller? I seem to remember the iPhone keypad as being a decent size for those of us that need new glasses?


blackberry keyboards are fixed size (none / 0) (#8)
by andgarden on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 11:54:16 PM EST

and there's something to be said for not having a moving target.

But hey, I love my iPhone!


: I think I'll be joining you in (none / 0) (#10)
by nycstray on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 12:01:01 AM EST

iPhone love at some point this year :)
I will say my iPhone loving friend was once a PC user and is now all Mac ;) her hubby was mac, as he's a photographer, so we're all happy that we are all compatible now, lol!~ I think she was the only PC user I knew ;)

video and speed (none / 0) (#9)
by Jeralyn on Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 11:54:56 PM EST

The iPhone 3GS has video capabilities and is supposedly faster than regular 3G for using the internet while on the phone, although someone I spoke to said the speeds are the same.

The first thing you'll notice about iPhone 3G S is how quickly you can launch applications. Web pages render in a fraction of the time, and you can view email attachments faster. Improved performance and updated 3D graphics deliver an incredible gaming experience, too. In fact, everything you do on iPhone 3G S is up to 2x faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G.

I like my iPhone but I never had a blackberry so can't compare. I am a bit tempted by the new pre-Palm since I had so many palm pilots and liked their system of contacts/addresses and calendar the best. But I think it's only available from Sprint.


Blackberry is (none / 0) (#11)
by oculus on Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 04:09:38 AM EST

Hearing aid compatible. iphone isn't unless new model added that feature. I do like the iphone feature to zoom by touching screen.