AT&T offering subsidized pricing to early upgraders
By Ronald O Carlson
Apple’s US wireless network partner is using yet another inducement to move excess 3G iPhone inventory ahead of the release of an updated mobile operating system and updated handset models that could appear as soon as June. As the economic downturn continues to bite home, however, will Apple and AT&T need to do even more to get people buy?
AppleInsider reports that AT&T is allowing existing, non-iPhone customers to purchase the 3G handset at $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) subsidized prices even if their contracts have not run the required 24 months. This is a unadvertised offer that AT&T makes to customers on a case-by-case basis with sales associates granting waivers to customers that are 14 months (give or take) into their two-year contracts.
Read Blorge’s extensive coverage of the upcoming iPhone refesh
— The $99 refurbished iPhone returns
— iPhone 3G inventories running down?
— Rumors fly as WWDC dates announced
— A new operating system for the iPhone and Touch!
Further, AppleInsider notes that AT&T staffers are using the waiver as an inducement to keep customers loyal. So, if you’re interested in this deal, it may behoove you to make noises about moving to another carrier.
Recent weeks has also seen AT&T begin selling contract free iPhones for $599 (8GB) and $699 (16GB), as well as discounted refurbished handsets ($99, $199) that don’t include a full warranty but do require a full two-year contract.
So, are you finally in the mood to buy an iPhone? Like a lot of people I am really quite fond of my iPod touch…
What’s your take?
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