[Answer] How to buy 3G iPhone without contract

[idavid]

Got to your nearest ATT store.

Get the phone $199 with 2 year contract.After 30 Days cancel the service and pay ETF.

Your cost $199 + $175(ETF) + $35 (Activation) + $70(First month Service) + Tax $15 == $494


You can now unlock and use it with T-Mobile.. No 3G on T-mobile, but i need the GPS only.



My 3G iPhone is on its way July 11th.


Update:- Total will be $494+$200 (iPhone subsidized cost) = $694

[Former Bender]

You can now unlock and use it with T-Mobile...

First post ever from the future. :D

[EMH]

The only reason I was gonna buy the iPhone 3g was its low price. I wouldnt mind paying $400 but its pointless because the new iPhone lacks many functions I was looking foward too. Like hardware for video recording, front facing cam etc...

The new iPhone doesnt impress me. So if I cant get it for $199 without a contract, I wont buy it.

[entaum]

First post ever from the future. :D

Lol, very good. Wonder how much they'll charge for it here in Brazil...

In any case remember that you may still get a good deal in Europe. The obligtion to sign a contract in-store is an AT&T policy. Who said that other carrries around the world will do the same? Perhaps you may get a chance there...

[aranmor]

true that!

[Killian]

The problem to buy at UE because is gonna be very expansive,

and for us will be much more expansive here at brazil ;)

so iam almost giving up to buy one... :(

[Number_41]

I have been thinking about that and heres the right answer, i believe.

Get the iPhone, cancel within 3 days.

You will be refunded the 35 activation fee and you wont be charged the ETF.

a) NOW the place where we may defer is ATT may require you to return the device. If you dont you may be asked to pay the actually cost of the iphone ( the difference that is. What you already paid (minus) what ATT may be buying it from apple)

OR

b) they will charge you the ETF, which is somewhat like a) (above) but not really.

N41

[bezman]

Apple (steve jobs said it himself) the iphone will sell for 199/299 world wide, that means they are controlling the price, that means carriers will insist on contracts to get back some money. cause they are not making any money on the resale of the iphone itself. (even if it's pay as you go, i am sure it will still be locked to that carrier)

[Number_41]

Apple (steve jobs said it himself) the iphone will sell for 199/299 world wide, that means they are controlling the price, that means carriers will insist on contracts to get back some money. cause they are not making any money on the resale of the iphone itself. (even if it's pay as you go, i am sure it will still be locked to that carrier)

ready post 68
http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42739&page=7

The iphone is being somewhat subsidized.

N41

[climber_rich]

Got to your nearest ATT store.

Get the phone $199 with 2 year contract.After 30 Days cancel the service and pay ETF.

Your cost $199 + $175(ETF) + $35 (Activation) + $70(First month Service) + Tax $15 == $494

You can now unlock and use it with T-Mobile.. No 3G on T-mobile, but i need the GPS only.



My 3G iPhone is on its way July 11th.

You are assuming that the Dev team will hack the phone quickly. It seems to me that they may not be in a tremendous hurry to do so since the new iphone can only be bought with a 2 year contract (unlike orig iphone). I think they will be much more motivated to make sure that the 2.0 iphone firmware can be quickly upgraded onto current iphones.

That's not to say that they won't hack the new iphone--I think they will, but I doesn't seem like it will be as compelling to do as it was on the original iphone. At least in the US, using the new iphone on T-mobiles network doesn't get you much compared to the old iphone. I just don't think that most people will find having "true" GPS is a compelling reason to upgrade their iphones.

[idavid]

Steve is releasing the iphone in many more countries, then Dev Team is going to bigger and smarter.:D


You are assuming that the Dev team will hack the phone quickly. It seems to me that they may not be in a tremendous hurry to do so since the new iphone can only be bought with a 2 year contract (unlike orig iphone). I think they will be much more motivated to make sure that the 2.0 iphone firmware can be quickly upgraded onto current iphones.

That's not to say that they won't hack the new iphone--I think they will, but I doesn't seem like it will be as compelling to do as it was on the original iphone. At least in the US, using the new iphone on T-mobiles network doesn't get you much compared to the old iphone. I just don't think that most people will find having "true" GPS is a compelling reason to upgrade their iphones.

[bezman]

the members of the dev team will be getting the 3G iphone form their local carrier you mean, no need to unlock anymore LOL

[entaum]

You sure of that? Remember most countries will continue to have a carrier lock on the iphone! So if you are currently on another carrier you will need the Dev Team's help again.

[KiWo]

Talked to a guy from a swedish newspaper. He told me that apple will be selling the iPhone 3G online again after July 11. Hopefully he's right. At least he said his source was apple.

[Number_41]

Talked to a guy from a swedish newspaper. He told me that apple will be selling the iPhone 3G online again after July 11. Hopefully he's right. At least he said his source was apple.

i believe this somewhat.

sales for apple will fall dramatically (somewhat at least i believe if not dramatically) if apple wont sell online. assuming online means no activation for hactivation and unlock

N41

[romenator]

i believe this somewhat.

sales for apple will fall dramatically (somewhat at least i believe if not dramatically) if apple wont sell online. assuming online means no activation for hactivation and unlock

N41
Apple could easily force you into signing a contract online before sending you the item. This is what network operators do in UK, not sure if Apple will adapt this strategy.

[jumphopspin]

i believe this somewhat.

sales for apple will fall dramatically (somewhat at least i believe if not dramatically) if apple wont sell online. assuming online means no activation for hactivation and unlock

N41

i bet you that when you try to buy the iphone online (if and when it becomes available), at the very last step it will redirect you to at&t's website and force you to sign up for a plan and be approved before you can fully checkout. BUT let's hope that there are some places around the world that won't tie you to a contract so that there will still be a market for underground iphones.

[dagamer34]

Most likely they'll make you sign up for AT&T service before they ever ship you the phone. So you won't be getting around activation that way either.

[miracleman]

do you think this might be a ploy to make current "hactivated" iphone users hold on to their phones for now, and not flood the market with 2nd hand iphones, thus making the market for new iphone adopters bigger?

when i say "this" i mean not releasing the buying info.

[bezman]

i was totally joking about the devs getting the 3g's legally and not wanting to unlock em' - btw ;)

this all treuly sucks for me, I won a 3G iPhone from iLounge for the design contest, and if they cant get it activated or without a contract I probably will not get one from them on launch day :( (unless they have strings that can be pulled)

[TATANKA]

Any body knows what 3G iphone will cost in Canada through Rogers.

[mysticusa]

$200 phone, $200 subsidized cost, why on earth get a contract at all? just pay $400 get it unlocked to use on other network... if it is not gonna be $200$ subsidized cost, what is the term apple using that they are subsidizing the phone? like saying subsidized but to only one company, another way of saying it is not subsidized really we are just making fun of you... bcoz total contract costs are gonna be more than initial costs... realy nice to have gps without allowing gps software... without caching the map, what is the use of having gps? if you are somewhere out of reception and need the gps.... but it wont work bcoz apple doesnt let gps software (yet at least...) no front camera... same old previous crap... and yet 3g! w/o 3g accessories and features... funny... after all knowing apple, the real unsubsidized price of the phone will be no less than $600... does it worth it? yes? than why da hell all the hassle with stupid strategy that doesnt work anywhere? oh forgot the apple factor, unique :) just buzz it up limit it make it more desirable, well, it didnt live up to expections of its own... u will see it wont sell as much as before, if they stick to locking blocking bla bla crap as before... keep saying half price twice as fast? like trying to convince couple of children?

did it get double speed processor update? or what? only 3g and gps with limitation to use gps software? half price? it costs even more than b4... overall... this new strategy of subsidized phones, will suck big time if they dont get rid of locking people to certain carieers... also with current specs... it looks as if apple gonna milk some people with the same momentum as it always does, than in 6 months bring new iphone model? hey look new iphone, twice as fast, now instead of mirror we give you real camera for video conferencing... now we have a gps software available... now available in pink and blue :) and yet same price :)

[Former Bender]

just pay $400 get it unlocked to use on other network...

How about waiting for the unlock solution release before buying it ? :)

[LiTos]

yeah, just pay 4 million dollars for a mansion house, not a problem.

400 DOLLARS FOR UNLOCK?!...

[rbbroncoman]

ive heard reports that if you buy the iphone as a gift you in an apple store you do not have to activate it in store

[LiTos]

I dont think they're stupid enought to do that..

[idavid]

ive heard reports that if you buy the iphone as a gift you in an apple store you do not have to activate it in store

Apples negative thoughts..............

Well Apple store will give a iPhone card ($199 you paid) and would tell you to gift the iPhone Card to the person you want to give. The gifted person can then come to the Apple store, get the iPhone after signing the 2 year contract.

[Former Bender]

Apples negative thoughts..............

Well Apple store will give a iPhone card ($199 you paid) and would tell you to gift the iPhone Card to the person you want to give. The gifted person can then come to the Apple store, get the iPhone after signing the 2 year contract.

What a Damn Great Gift ! You pay 199$ and the person who will receive this would have to pay so much more :D

[LiTos]

LOL!!!!!
Brilliant!!

[stimpy]

Remember that in the EU they have to sell unlocked phones. So we are waiting to see what the price will be. Also eventually I am sure that Apple will want to push these out to as many places as they can. I was in the airport in Johannesburg South Africa recently and saw two older iPhones for sale at a duty free shop. Apple wants more of that, not less.

[LiTos]

maybe someone from europe could sell US people unlocked phones

[mysticusa]

i think i got misunderstood... what i said, if subsidize price is additional $200, why have hassle? just pay $200 and $200 subsidiary cost = ??? direct cost? and later get it unlocked... when the unlock solution comes out... or if apple has any plans to get it available to other carriers as well as a fee based unlock service from att? :) thats what i meant :)

[LiTos]

lol after all of this AT&T will never make an unlock service...neither will apple make it for more carriers because AT&T's bid was the hgihest...

[mysticusa]

they may get business people on board in usa, but same will not work elsewhere... that strategy sucks big time... in UK for example, they learn from mistakes quicker :) unlike in usa, they stick to one plan and force it until their heads get banged to walls to understand it doesnt work with old school methods... you are selling to customers, make it customer friendly... if you force the product the way they are doing now... it will backfire... and i can assure you it wont make the same hit as it did with the 1st gen in usa... where as in uk, they are tweaking the plans and prices to reasonable HUMANE rates :)

[LiTos]

yeah, i cant beleive how stupid AT&T is.

[romenator]

they may get business people on board in usa, but same will not work elsewhere... that strategy sucks big time... in UK for example, they learn from mistakes quicker :) unlike in usa, they stick to one plan and force it until their heads get banged to walls to understand it doesnt work with old school methods... you are selling to customers, make it customer friendly... if you force the product the way they are doing now... it will backfire... and i can assure you it wont make the same hit as it did with the 1st gen in usa... where as in uk, they are tweaking the plans and prices to reasonable HUMANE rates :)
Exactly. O2 were properly screwed with the old iphone as the rate of sale was significantly lower than they anticipated. They then increased the minutes and text available with the tariffs, which got slightly more people interested, then they announced the £169 price, which sold out within a few days.

I think its the carrier that is at fault, and not Apple. If O2 are offering a better deal than AT&T its merely down to carrier's decision. Especially, since UK customers always end up paying more for any items. EG: Apple TV $199 in USA, its £199 in UK ($400).

[ibu1980]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260250283244

how true is that? O.o

unlocked? :confused:

[BImmelicous]

How long is it takes to deliver the item?

2-3 weeks after Apple release in mid July 2008.


the seller is very optimistic about the unlock...

[jakeyboyne]

Theres a few companies touting to be able to unlock 2.0 - i'm not sure how they can do though, how would they get the 2.0 beta?

Although I did use it to unlock my 1st gen iphone without any problems

http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com/

[romenator]

How long is it takes to deliver the item?

2-3 weeks after Apple release in mid July 2008.


the seller is very optimistic about the unlock...
LOL yeh. I was going to say scam. But its listed under classified, and that means its reliable. If O2 sells pay and go for £159, i will eat my hat (provided they dont make you pay a minimum charge for iphones).

[me.]

Theres a few companies touting to be able to unlock 2.0 - i'm not sure how they can do though, how would they get the 2.0 beta?

Although I did use it to unlock my 1st gen iphone without any problems

http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com/

Unlocking 2.0 on the first gen iphone is one thing, and unlocking the same thing on the 3G is another.... You have a new bootloader to handle on the 3G. IMHO the unlock for iphone 3G is far far away... But then again, you have France with legit unlock. Pay as you go in the UK does not mean it's gonna be unlocked, it means it'll still be locked to O2 but you don't sign anything... Will mean nothing to users on non-partner carriers...

[jakeyboyne]

Unlocking 2.0 on the first gen iphone is one thing, and unlocking the same thing on the 3G is another.... You have a new bootloader to handle on the 3G. IMHO the unlock for iphone 3G is far far away... But then again, you have France with legit unlock. Pay as you go in the UK does not mean it's gonna be unlocked, it means it'll still be locked to O2 but you don't sign anything... Will mean nothing to users on non-partner carriers...

So what you reckon about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260250283244

I think they actually look pretty legit but you never can be sure, but they certainly look convincing

[me.]

So what you reckon about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260250283244

I think they actually look pretty legit but you never can be sure, but they certainly look convincing
Well, yeah, looks legit and comes from a power seller... But it's a classified ad, and note this: "No feedback is given for Classified Ads", meaning that if the guy is wrong and the 3G doesn't come unlocked or if he changes his mind about being able to make money reselling the 3G UNLOCKED for as little as $310, then he can easily pull off his ad, saying 'sorry folks', and you even won't be able to give this seller a piece of your mind with nasty negative feedback... That's just my opinion..

[LiTos]

i dont know but their website doesnt look like anything fake.

[me.]

i dont know but their website doesnt look like anything fake.
So are you buying it? ;)

[romenator]

Well, If you pay by paypal, then you are guaranteed anyway. So no matter what happens you will at least get your money back. But its a hassle, and i wouldn't buy it. Wait for it to be released, no point rushing in.

[jakeyboyne]

So are you buying it? ;)

Yeah I think I'd probably risk a purchase through there, and I'd pay via PayPal so it'd be protected and at least they tend to favour the person logging the dispute so your more or less guaranteed to get ur cash back

[LiTos]

i might do that as well, but i will probably wait for the release and THEN buy it.

edit: oh wait its until june 25th. Should i do it?
jakeyboyne do it first and then tell me if its a rip off xD

[romenator]

i might do that as well, but i will probably wait for the release and THEN buy it.

edit: oh wait its until june 25th. Should i do it?
jakeyboyne do it first and then tell me if its a rip off xD
Don't buy things that you can't trust 100%. It will give you lots of sleepless nights, i know i did when i bought an item off ebay, and the seller screwed me over. Did manage to get my money back, but it was so much hassle.

[LiTos]

yeah i guess you're right...if i get 425 bucks im actually all set - 200+50+175...

[Caprica]

So what you reckon about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260250283244

I think they actually look pretty legit but you never can be sure, but they certainly look convincing

Just look where they're from. Liverpool! lol :rolleyes: I would be tempted to wait till the unit comes out, and has been out for a few weeks and keep your eyes and ears to this forum for a definitive answer. It sounds harsh, but let someone else get in on launch date and brick it after buying an unlock system off ebay. God knows in UK money is hard enough to earn and keep in our pockets away from government taxes and vat's etc, with out throwing it away on an unknown company/service.

[Brain1234]

Is there any info if the pay and go 3G iPhone, for example in Italy at TIM or Vodafone will be unlocked, in other words, will it work on other mobile network operators without a software unlock?

[coolestrl]

3g iphone = a legendary trap

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5694/legendarytrapkx7.jpg

[rbbroncoman]

lol ahahahhahahaha that pic is hilarious

[LiTos]

hahhahaah thats hilarious lol...although i dont understand how is iphone 3g related to that.