What Does That iPhone Cost?
One of my co-workers at Nokia forwarded me the page on Voadfone Italy, where they will be selling the iPhone unlocked, or at least unsubsidized.
To convert that into U.S. dollars (using today’s exchange rates anyway): the 8gb iPhone is $772, the 16gb iPhone is $880!
It does make me wonder, though, how much the price of the phone really went up and just how much AT&T and the other carriers will be pocketing on the deal. At least in the U.S., the price is going up at least $40, thanks to AT&T charging all iPhone users an extra $10 a month for data sevice over a (required) two year contract.
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Tags: apple, iphone Fnord
Comment by spg
i was really hoping that the iPhone would set the stage for a lot more unsubsidized phones; and therefore in the long run cheaper call charges. instead with the new release the iPhone will be sold just like nearly every other phone in america.
Comment by PhoneBoy
Apple could have done that, yes. However, the reality in this country is still that people expect the phone to be free with a 2 year ball and chain. Perhaps this “new deal” with Apple will allow them to do exactly that–sell the phone directly without a subsidy.
It does raise an interesting question: what happens if someone loses or breaks their iPhone and it’s not covered under Applecare? What will they be charged the full, unsubsidized price for the phone?
Comment by Aaron Huslage
Given Apple’s recent penchant for keeping prices the “same” given differing currencies, I would imagine an unsubsidized handset here in the US would be $499/8gb or $569/16gb. The currency that the thing is made in is pegged to the dollar somewhat (the Chinese Yuan), so the fluctuations aren’t important to Apple really.
Comment by PhoneBoy
That’s a good point, @huslage. The real question is: will Apple actually sell an unsubsidized phone? They would have to in the case of prepaid customers or for people replacing their iPhone 3G because it was lost/stolen. I can’t believe AT&T would take a loss in these circumstances.
Comment by spg
there is also the question of subscription cost. the new model can only be activated with a special higher cost ‘iphone’ subscription. if and when an unsubsidized price is set will it than be possible to use any AT&T data plan? even more than subsidies the current trend in both america and europe of packing specific phones with special plans really stinks.
when do you start to see the FAT DUMB PIPES?
Comment by PhoneBoy
I suspect even unsubsidized iPhones will have to pay $30/month for data service. Fat dumb pipes FTW!
Comment by Marc
Any news on tethering being offered?
Also, does AT&T currently (or will AT&T) allow you to get a $30.00 DATA ONLY (no voice) plan
for the new 3G iPhone?
Comment by PhoneBoy
@Marc: Tethering is not supported on the iPhone. The Bluetooth is crippled to only support headset profile. AT&T won’t give you ONLY a data plan on a phone device, a voice plan is required.
Comment by Marc
It appears tethering may become a reality for the iPhone 3g (see recent news about Nullriver’s Netshare app hokey-pokey act at Apple’s iTunes app store. Also, the now infamous GoPhone sim card switcheroo.