vB Easy Archive - You can buy and unlock an iPhone 3G

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You can buy and unlock an iPhone 3G
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Posted by: bsoft

So, there's been a lot of complaining about the iPhone 3G and ETFs. It's all stupid.

Before the 3G came out, you could by an iPhone 8GB for $400, then unlock it and not agree to a contract. Total cost: $400.

Now, you can buy an 8GB 3G iPhone for $200, agree to a contract, unlock the phone (assuming that the hackers come up with an unlocking solution), and cancel your AT&T service for the $200 ETF. Total cost: $400.

So, basically, to get an iPhone without AT&T today, you need to eat a $200 ETF. But the phone is $200 cheaper.

The 3G iPhone is a better device, with better battery life, improved reception, GPS, a better headphone jack, and better speakerphone. It's also lighter weight. And, of course, it has 3G.

You're getting more for your $400. Downsides? The new iPhone doesn't include a dock, and you have to go through a credit check and the hassle of signing up for / cancelling AT&T service.

Posted by: XanderMac

You're assuming that it'll only be $200 to buy your way out (it's actually $175 for current contracts).

Posted by: Superduper117

and you're willing to take the hit to your credit. which is stupid for a phone.

Posted by: XanderMac

what hit to your credit is there?

Posted by: Thameth

Yeah, since when does cancelling a cell contract take a hit to your credit??

Posted by: bchristensen225

not cancelling it....but running the initial report will take a SMALL hit...it's less than applying for a credit card or loan....it's like opening a new checking account....they're just checking to make sure you have no overdue balances from other companies

Posted by: FTR79

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superduper117

and you're willing to take the hit to your credit. which is stupid for a phone.

Actually, I worked 2 years for AT&T and we are told to scare customers that it will go to collections and effect their credit, but it doesn't. It is only an internal agency and only effects your credit with AT&T. Just thought I'd give you heads up ;-)

Posted by: amkls704

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superduper117

and you're willing to take the hit to your credit. which is stupid for a phone.

This is the stupidest thing I've heard in a long time.

You do not take a hit to your credit. Credit inquiries are less than 2% of your total credit score, IF even that. And canceling a service does nothing to affect your credit as long as you pay the ETF. I have cancelled lines with ATT before when I didn't need them, and it never hurt my credit or standing with them. I have opened accounts numerous times with absolutely no problem.

If you don't believe me that it doesn't hurt your credit, you should go do some research on myfico.com

Posted by: om1zzle

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoft

So, there's been a lot of complaining about the iPhone 3G and ETFs. It's all stupid.

Before the 3G came out, you could by an iPhone 8GB for $400, then unlock it and not agree to a contract. Total cost: $400.

Now, you can buy an 8GB 3G iPhone for $200, agree to a contract, unlock the phone (assuming that the hackers come up with an unlocking solution), and cancel your AT&T service for the $200 ETF. Total cost: $400.

So, basically, to get an iPhone without AT&T today, you need to eat a $200 ETF. But the phone is $200 cheaper.

The 3G iPhone is a better device, with better battery life, improved reception, GPS, a better headphone jack, and better speakerphone. It's also lighter weight. And, of course, it has 3G.

You're getting more for your $400. Downsides? The new iPhone doesn't include a dock, and you have to go through a credit check and the hassle of signing up for / cancelling AT&T service.

If I'm not mistaken, you must pay your first months bill to avoid having to return your phone when you cancel

Posted by: eimajuno

Drawing from the information that has been published on the new iPhone:
If you cancel before the 30 days, you have to return the phone. No ETF, just pay for usage.
If you cancel after the 30 days, you do NOT have to return the phone, ETF is charged.

I wonder if the ETF will rise specifically for this phone. I really hope not but seeing how it seems like they do everything different with the iPhone, I would not be surprised.

Posted by: trunks2872

All this assumes that there will be an unlocking solution for 2.0, which, while the hackers are very resilient, there's been no inkling that 2.0 can be hacked yet or for quite some time.

Secondly...what's an ETF?

And thirdly, while you can use the phone with 3G off, AT&T in the states is the only company with the network to use the new iPhone's 3G capabilities. T-Mobile has a small 3G network as well, but operates on a different frequency. So do you really gain all that much jumping through all of these hoops to get the new phone if you're stuck on a different network? You're better off just buying iPhone version 1 and unlocking it and using it on your other network. The only advantage to the new iPhone is GPS and 3G, but (I may be mistaken on this) don't you have to use 3G to use the GPS? Actually, that's probably stupid, as they're different chipsets. But still, I contend that if you're using it on another network, it'd be easier to use iPhone version 1, AND probably cheaper too once the new one hits the market the version 1 phones will be all over eBay for a similar or cheaper price point than the $200.

Posted by: thadoggfather

I thought ATT ETF was $175 not $200

Posted by: amkls704

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Quote:

Originally Posted by thadoggfather

I thought ATT ETF was $175 not $200

it is. I don't think anyone knows what the etf would be on an iphone yet. Like someone else said, the iphone comes with it's own set of rules.

Posted by: Tastypeppers

isn't ATT massively subsidizing the iPhone? If so, they will want the ETF (to compensate for lost revenues on the remaining term of the contract PLUS get reimbursed for the subsidy they paid to Apple. We will see what the contract says but I am guessing it will be an expensive cancellation.

Maybe someone who works for ATT can tell us whether the contracts normally include repayment of the subsidy.

My guess is that ATT isn't in the business of owning iPhones returned to them. They don't want your old one back. They want your money.

Posted by: tenorsaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoft

I'm pretty sure at&t will have people like you in mind when they are in the process of creating their new policy for the 3G iPhone. It wouldn't surprise me if they increase the ETF. Let's see what happens.

Posted by: kupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenorsaw

Based on the AT&T news release at this link (click on the "read press release" link), it sounds like they're going to treat the iPhone like any other phone in their stable (emphasis added).

Quote:

Originally Posted by AT&T Press Release

The new agreement between Apple and AT&T eliminates the revenue-sharing model under which AT&T shared a portion of monthly service revenue with Apple. Under the revised agreement, which is consistent with traditional equipment manufacturer-carrier arrangements, there is no revenue sharing and both iPhone 3G models will be offered at attractive prices to broaden the market potential and accelerate subscriber volumes.

Posted by: fumblerooski

Quote:

Originally Posted by eimajuno

...If you cancel before the 30 days, you have to return the phone. No ETF, just pay for usage...

What do you mean "You have to return the phone." What are they going to do if I don't return it...send some hired goons to my house?

I think you can return the phone if you want to avoid the ETF but if you want to sell it you can cancel immediately, pay the ETF, and that's it.

Posted by: tenorsaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by kupe

Based on the AT&T news release at this link (click on the "read press release" link), it sounds like they're going to treat the iPhone like any other phone in their stable (emphasis added).

Like I said, we just have to wait this one out. This will be their most popular phone sold. I think it's too much of a hit for them to sit back and let everyone pay the $175 ETF. It doesn't really affect me, but I'm just talking from a business prospective.

Posted by: yellowfintuna

If I am AT&T, (but I am not) I will bring back the old $240 for 24 months ETF which comes down by $10 for every month of contract to prevent jail breaking. This used to be the ETF policy in the old Bellsouth markets a couple of years ago.

Posted by: CrAkD

its really not worth it. the new iphones prime new feature is 3g which can only be used on ATT. by the time you buy the new iphone, pay the activation fee, pay tax and the ETF youll be approaching $500. for what really? to use the iphone 3g on another network which itll do exactly the same as the first iphone you could have got on ebay for much cheaper and less hassle? but youll have that sexy glossy black back to show off so I guess itll all be worth it haha :shrug:. If there was a way to cheaply cancel the initial plan then jailbreak it and use it on ATT as a NON iphone for a cheaper monthly plan then maybe theres a small benefit but still alot of work. the main reason I dont wanna cancel my T-Mo plan and get the 3g is cause i pay like 80 a month for unlimited data/texts and 600min which would cost me atleast $130 @ att for an iphone plan.

Posted by: eimajuno

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumblerooski

What do you mean "You have to return the phone." What are they going to do if I don't return it...send some hired goons to my house?

I think you can return the phone if you want to avoid the ETF but if you want to sell it you can cancel immediately, pay the ETF, and that's it.

In some of the memos that have come out (Not entirely sure which one) but there was something stated in one of them that said that a customer "might" be penalized if the phone is not activated within 30 days. This could just be a rumor but I see Apple only accepting credit cards for the iphone like they did last time.

Now I am thinking about getting the iphone but the reason why I would could the sign up and cancel route is because I would not want a new contract. I was planning on signing up a new line, waiting past the 30 days and then cancelling. I would just simply move my sim from my primary line to the iphone.

Posted by: bsoft

Quote:

Originally Posted by eimajuno

Just an FYI, you're going to need to hack the iPhone to do that. As far as I know, iPhones are "married" to the SIM that's included with the phone when they are activated, and the won't work with any other SIM after that, even if it's an AT&T SIM.

Posted by: toomer

Thread title: You can buy and unlock an iPhone 3G

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoft

...you can buy an 8GB 3G iPhone for $200, agree to a contract, unlock the phone (assuming that the hackers come up with an unlocking solution), and cancel your AT&T service for the $200 ETF. Total cost: $400.

Assumption 1: That the 3G iPhone will be able to be unlocked any time soon. You might want to look into the troubles they've had recently with firmware 2.0 builds before jumping to conclusions.

Assumption 2: That there will only be a $175/200 ETF for a 3G iPhone. AT&T certainly could implement an additional charge, a higher ETF for iPhones - whatever they want.

Conclusion: UR thread title sux ...

Posted by: tenorsaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoft

That may not be necessarily true this time around, especially since they will now come with a removal "tool" aka paper clip.

Posted by: eimajuno

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoft

We will just have to wait and see. If I decide to get one, I will not be getting right when it was released. There are some other devices that I am looking at that have not been released yet. I would have no problem at all hacking it up to make it work the way I want. I'm sure the dev team will come up with a jailbreaking solution after the release.