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Wednesday June 10, 2009
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 The new iPhone 3G S is coming out on June 19th. Because it's a mobile phone, the pricing is really difficult to understand. Here's the full deal.
All prices below are for the 16 GB model. For the 32 GB model, add $100. For the old 8 GB iPhone, subtract $100.
If you are an existing AT&T customer who has been in your current contract for at least somewhere between 18 and 22 months (it varies by individual), you pay $199.
If you are a new AT&T customer willing to sign a two-year contract, you will pay $199 plus a $36 activation fee, for a total of $235.
If you are an existing AT&T customer who hasn't been in your current contract for 22 months, and you're willing to extend your contract, you pay $399.
If you want no commitment and no contract, you pay $599 - plus the $36 if you're activating it on a fresh line.
You will want to get AppleCare, which gives you decent service beyond the iPhone's 90-day support period, for up to two years. That's an extra $69.
Now, this means that most folks who signed new contracts for iPhone 3G models a year ago are not eligible for the lowest possible price. That was in your contract. Your two-year contract only gets you a discounted phone every 22 months. You agreed to that.
iPhone service plans are similarly complicated. Here's how they break down.
The iPhone data plan is always $30/month. Don't want a data plan? Get an iPod Touch instead.
On top of that, you can pay $39.99-$99.99 for various amounts of voice minutes. 450 minutes cost $39.99, 900 minutes cost $59.99, 1350 minutes cost $79.99 and unlimited minutes cost $99.99
Text messages cost extra, too: $5 for 200 messages, $15 for 1500 messages and $20 for unlimited messages.
So an iPhone plan can run anywhere from $69.99/month for 450 minutes with no texting to $149.99/month for unlimited minutes and texting.
For more information, check out AT&T's official page on iPhone pricing.
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June 10, 2009 5:41 PM
Wow. Being a Verizon customer thinking of breaking and heading to AT&T for the iPhone 3GS, this is probably the most helpful breakdown of plan pricing and device costs I've seen anywhere on the Web, and that includes AT&T's own site. Thank you!
June 10, 2009 5:49 PM
You may want to correct your information. The iPhone 3GS is coming out on June 19th not July 19th.
June 10, 2009 8:22 PM
Stupid typo. Thanks. Fixed.
June 11, 2009 5:57 PM
It seems very wierd that an exsisting customer under 22 months would pay more, I know their trying to get new customers but this seems a little unfair, But if you switch providers and have to pay a termination fee it might even out. I still think the prices for the phone and services are too high
June 11, 2009 7:09 PM
I buy my phones on eBay. The prices are cheaper than buying from a carrier.