AppleInsider is reporting that Apple Retail stores are now selling the iPhone 3G with no contract commitment! Awesome, right? Well, Awesome for those who can afford a $599 8GB model and $699 16GB model. These prices are extremely steep, and probably neither AT&T or Apple will see these selling like IHOP Pancakes.
Surprisingly, Apple’s offer comes with less restrictions than AT&T’s offer. Apple isn’t limiting the sales to one per customer like AT&T is and isn’t requiring that purchasers be current AT&T customers.
While the phones are still technically locked to AT&T service, it is possible (but not supported) to unlock the phones for use with other mobile service providers. In the US, that is largely limited to T-Moble and Metro PCS, although both GSM providers do not support the 3G network the iPhone 3G needs to connect at faster than EDGE speeds.
So, there you go, If you got $600 or $700 to throw down for a commitment free iPhone 3G this is your best bet and then hack it with some awesome iPhone 3G Hacks!
I dont know why it took them so long to do this….I mean, its the exact same thing as the 2G phone was when it came out. Go in a store and buy the phone, take it home and activate it and either extend your AT&T contract or sign up for a new one….no contract up-front required. I understand that the 3G was released with a price subsidize in mind, but still, its no surprise that they are $599/$699 without a contract. Maybe that will reduce the price of 2nd-hand iPhone 3Gs sold by individuals, and you know it wont be too long before refurbished iPhones are at AT&T or Apple Stores for $100 or more off.
Well, I guess that’s just another tell-tale that they bring out a new iPhone model this summer. Over here (Greece), while some time ago, there was only one GSM operator who was selling the iPhone, we recently see it in the stores of another operator and I think we’ll soon see it in the third one. They are trying to get rid of them as soon as they can. Darn and I bought mine last January!!!