Kasper JadeThe silent offer, which began this week, is being extended to customers on a case-by-case basis. Typically, the carrier would only offer non-iPhone customers the option to upgrade from their non-Apple phone to an iPhone 3G at the $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) subsidized price points after their 24-month contract had run its course.
However, AT&T representatives have confirmed to AppleInsider that as of this week the company is waiving the upgrade clause for customers who are approximately 14 months into their two-year contract.
The waiver isn't bound to strict terms, however, meaning that retail employees are free to grant upgrade pricing for customers who may not be quite as far into their 2-year contract, but that determination is to be made by the employee after accessing and reviewing the customer's account history. Other factors like long-term loyalty to AT&T may play into the decisions.
The move follows similar initiatives by both Apple and AT&T to rid their stores of lingering iPhone 3G inventory. Both companies on Thursday began offering the handset at a "no commit" price of $599 for the 8GB version or $699 for the 16GB model.
AT&T is extending the offer only to existing subscribers and is limiting sales to just one iPhone. Apple, however, is willing to sell the phones to anyone who walks into its stores and isn't limiting the number they can purchase.
Apple is widely expected to unveil new iPhone models at its June Worldwide Developers Conference.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
30 Comments
Just don't give us early upgrade options FROM a 3G to a NEW iPhone. Please. It will tempt me far too much...
Tick Tock, Tick Tock...
Actually, this has been going on for some months now, at least in some markets. My current 2 year family plan doesn't renew until around June, but my primary line has been eligible since last November and the 3 other lines since mid February according to the in store rep I normally deal with at my local ATT store. We've been holding off to see what, if anything, is intro'ed in June before we trade up our 2 Blackberries and 1 Motorazor to new iPhones.
Haven't us original iPhone owners been able to upgrade to the iPhone 3G at any time for the low price since we will be shelling out an additional $15 per month for the same service we are getting now?
It's funny reading how the AT&T is only now offering an upgrade option, in the UK I upgraded my original iPhone which was only 5 months into it's contract for the new iPhone 3G, all they did was reset my 18 month contract, the contract also remained at the same price where a friend of mine in the US had to pay more for his 3G contract than the previous iPhone model, it does seem that American networks get their customers to walk in pull down their pants and prepare for penetration!