The new iPhone is coming ... and it's cheaper
Anyone who a year ago forked over $400 to $600 for the new Apple iPhone must right now be A) gagging, B) feeling foolish, C) e-mailing an angry note to Steve Jobs, or D) couldn't care less because it's all about bragging rights.
The spiffy, beefed up iPhone is on its way for about half the cost. Apple even boasts about it on its Web site: "Twice as fast. Half the price."
The news about the the revamped iPhone is enticing: The gadget is based in 3G technology to speed up its network, and it has GPS technology and a bunch of other new applications. The new version will be available, starting July 11.
And yet I'm looking at that price tag. For full disclosure, I don't have the iPhone (only an iPod nano), so this doesn't dent my pocketbook. But, say I had bought an 8 gigabyte original model last year. It would have cost me $599 in those heady first days (a 4-gigabyte was $499). Apple later dropped the $599 to $399 and began phasing out the 4-gig.
The new, flashier 8-gigabyte is $199. If I want the 16-gigabyte, it's $299.
Was it worth it, iPhoners, to be first on the block last year? Do you feel like guinea pigs? Should we all just wait and see what Jobs and Co. come out with next year, instead of plunking down more cash for this model?
I'll give Jobs points for one thing: He's timed this just as Americans are getting those government stimulus checks.
Comments:
it was worth it. now, i'm trying to figure out how to justify getting this next one. maybe my wife will want the old one.
Posted by: ed at June 9, 2008 3:05 PM
Has anyone actually received their 'stimulus' check??
Posted by: Stephen at June 9, 2008 3:37 PM
I did. It's gone already.
Posted by: Heather at June 9, 2008 3:42 PM
Stephen, for what it's worth, my brother just got a letter from the government telling him that his check is in the mail. And I heard on the news that it could take through mid-July to get checks out.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at June 9, 2008 3:43 PM
Seems like a lot of people are asking this question.
We're 1-for-2 at the Oz household.
Posted by: Mike Oz at June 9, 2008 3:56 PM
I have an iPhone. I got the 4 GB phone when the price dropped. I love it, but I probably will get a new one. But I have a gadget addiction and can't stand having out dated things. Plus, mine is having a few issues and that is all need to justify buying a new $200 phone. Having 3G will be really cool. Edge is very slow. Also exciting is not having to have a headphone adapter. That was the thing that really bothered me about my iPhone. I truely can't wait for the new ones to come put.
Posted by: Devin at June 9, 2008 4:30 PM
Is the $199 price tag with a new contract only? Cause if so I'll keep my Tilt. I'm glad they are reducing the price, but I feel bad for everyone who bought the 2.5G (Edge) when it came out. The only things I don't like about the iPhone is no card slot and if the batter stops taking a charge you have to send it back to Apple for a new one.
I still haven't got my check. When I do I'll probably take my girlfriend to the coast for a weekend. Both she and I could use a bit of a getaway.
Posted by: Michael at June 9, 2008 4:42 PM
Michael, I just found this on washingtonpost.com from Peter Ha, TechCrunch.com, about the $199 model:
"For the sake of time, I'll just paste the release. Pricing for the iPhone 3G is based on a 2-year contract. Woohoo. Unlimited data plans for iPhone 3G customers will be $30/month while business users will have to pony up $45/month. Also, revenue sharing has ceased going forward between Apple and AT&T."
He also suggests going to CrunchGear.com for updates and answers to questions.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at June 9, 2008 4:52 PM
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