Here Comes the iPhone 3G S

By Robin Wauters

AT&T (T) has just released official word about the upcoming wave of iPhone 3G S device deliveries to its retail locations and directly to customers who have pre-ordered the widely anticipated phone. TechCrunch is here to make it easier for you to skim the information by breaking the press release down to the core items (no thank you required):

When, how, where

- the device will be sold in 2,200 AT&T retail locations and 211 U.S. Apple retail stores

- you can expect these locations to open at 7 AM local time (pre-ordered only)
- customers who have pre-ordered at an AT&T store should go to the same store they ordered the device at, with their receipt, but check their arrival date before to avoid disappointment
- customers who have pre-ordered online can expect their devices to start getting shipped over to them today at the earliest
- other customers can come at regular business hours and will be served at a ‘first come, first served’ basis

Pricing (with two-year contract commitment)

(ad verbatim)

- $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) for all new AT&T customers and existing AT&T customers who have fulfilled their previous agreement. In addition, AT&T yesterday extended this pricing to iPhone 3G customers who will be eligible for a full upgrade in July, August, or September 2009.
- $399 (16GB) and $499 (32GB) for existing AT&T customers who have not yet fulfilled their existing agreement but would like an early upgrade to iPhone 3G S. This early upgrade option is exclusively available for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S.

Data plans

- monthly plans for consumers start at $69.99 per month for voice and data, and families who share minutes get special rates (starting at $129.99 a month for two iPhone lines with bundled voice and ‘unlimited’ data)
- small businesses are also eligible for special discounted service rates and can share up to 20,000 minutes per month between as many as 40 employees
- all iPhone plans include nationwide long distance and roaming, Visual Voicemail, Rollover, and unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling

MMS and tethering

Coming ‘later this Summer’ and ‘in the future’, respectively.

How many can you buy?

- New customer: one iPhone 3G S per person
- Existing customer: one iPhone 3G S per eligible telephone number
- Online customer: one iPhone 3G S per household
- Inheriting the good old iPhone 3G from someone else? Visit an AT&T store to activate your device.

So, are you getting one?

Original post

Comments

[NDinMSP:]

The new OS 3 is really nice. For those, like myself, not yet eligible for a "free" upgrade, I think it will take the sting out of waiting longer for the new phone. It may save me $200. I'll see how long I can hold out.

Jun 18 02:28 PM

[newoptions:]

I still have my original iPhone 4GB from 2007 and I'm looking forward to the new hardware and speed boost from the new phone. I pre ordered the iPhone 3G S and expect it to be delivered tomorrow nice and early. I updated the OS on my current model and am very pleased with the improvements!

Bob-

Jun 18 02:32 PM

[Economyst:]

How is this allowed on Seeking Alpha? Is there no editorial control? This is just an advert for Apple and At&T where is the analysis in this piece?

Jun 18 05:00 PM

[another.ana...:]

"How is this allowed on Seeking Alpha? Is there no editorial control? This is just an advert for Apple and At&T where is the analysis in this piece?"

The analysis is the same place that your ANAL ISM is in your repeated bashing of APPL & T on numerous Iphone articles.

Ayuh

Jun 18 07:42 PM

[Economyst:]

I hope it didn't take you all day to come up with that statement.

If you cannot accept critique then I suggest it may be past your bedtime.

Jun 18 08:24 PM

[buoy:]

He is right, bashing of T is becoming a national pastime.

Jun 19 08:58 AM

[mollytjm:]

i have the 3g iPhone and downloaded the update but would love the new one. i'll wait until my contract runs out though. the updates are very nice and i love my iPhone.
as to the comment about hyping Apple... let's face it, it's hard to have a discussion about tech without talking about Apple and it just so happens that no one innovates as quickly or well. But maybe more than that, no one has products more appreciated by it's customers and no ones' customers gets better service or rate satisfaction with a tech company, higher.
This is just fact.

Jun 19 10:31 AM

[Jax3:]

Of course the trick of the month is for the folks who have waited to afford an Iphone. For $99.00 you get the best up till now platform plus the latest operating system!

Jun 19 04:19 PM