Mogul via SERO:

Phone: $299 AMIR
Plan: $30/mo * 24 = $720
(500 minutes, unlimited data/text/N&W/MMS/GPS)
Total over 2 years: $1019 (not to mention a much better 3G map AND EVDO Rev. A)

Curve via SERO:

Phone: $179 AMIR
Plan: Same as above + an additional $30/mo for Power Vision for BB (plus FREE turn by turn directions)
Total over 2 years: $1599 (not to mention the more mature OS with a lot more programs available and a real keyboard [personal preference])

Boom.

DomZ

I just wonder how would it be for the iPhone to make it to T-Mobile in the US, is in the works i bet

snitch29

Also here is the link about SMS being included: [blogs.zdnet.com]

rockstarjoe

@snitch29:

Well, I'm including the fact that the iPhone is $200 cheaper because it is essentially getting a subsidy from AT&T.

Look at it this way: Original price ($399) - $200 subsidy = current price ($199). So the phone price is the same if you don't count the subsidy, which you pay off over the course of your contract, like this:

Original data price ($20) x 24 months + cost of subsidy ($200) = $680

New data price ($30) x 24 months = $720

Thus it is only $40 more. The $200 is just being moved around from the price of the phone to the monthly contract price.

rockstarjoe

The only downside of SERO is the phones. I have a mogul with No2Chem's rom and the htc home plugin and it's not half bad. Pair that with WMWifiRouter/USBModem depending on what device I'm pairing with, and SkyFire (Still Beta) it's a darn good deal for about half the price. iPhone users are still jealous of unlimited data with the ability to share the connection with my macbook. They'll be even more jealous when I get a Wind ;)

auslander

If you can't afford it then don't buy it. It's not like someone is forcing you to. There are cheaper phones and rate plans so go for that.

Simple as that.

paja

I had an original iPhone since the day it came out and sold it a month or so ago and got all I paid for it on ebay.

I then went to Sprint and with my company discount got BlackBerry Curve that runs on their 3G network for $75. After company discounts I pay $50 for 450 minute plan with unlimited data/unlimited text, Navigation, and Sprint TV.

On AT&T all these features will run me over $100 at least so saved $125 over 3G 8GB iPhone then $50 a month at least on service. Over 2 years thats $1325 in savings plus tax so around $1500.

Now you tell me that $199 iPhone is a good deal. As far as 8GB memory I can get micro SD 8GB card for around $50 and if I need more memory I can get another card without upgrading the phone.

Not to mention that BlackBerry Curve has much more 3rd party apps available than iPhone will in July, Sprint TV, Navigation, Video Recording, copy and paste, ability to edit documents, etc all the features that the new iPhone will not have.

willnj2007

Forgot T-Mobile:
BlackBerry Curve 8320 or HTC Shadow ($150)
600 minutes ($40/mo), $20 for BIS Unlimited or Total Internet
$5/mo for 400 SMS/MMS
Total monthly cost:$65
Cost over 2 yrs: $1710

ConstyXIV

what's the big deal? its less than $3 a day to have iPhone 3G goodness....
wha- didn't the people here get their allowance this week? stop whining.. Can't we have a filter that gets rid of the riff-raff who make less $60k a year on this blog... geez

designguybrown

Say what you will about Sprint (because I DO kinda hate being with sprint), but being on the SERO plan has been golden.

Back in the day, a New PPC-6700 ($250), 500 minutes, unlimited data and txt ($35/month), makes my total cost after 2 years just under $1100.

And I've had EVDO the whole time.

Now if only Sprint didn't suck so bad...

SomeAudioGuy

$1975 to be cool? Sounds good to me.

i BaldEagle

@rockstarjoe: Dude even if the 200SMS are included how would $10 more a month x24 months =$40 LOL it's more like $240 more

snitch29

ugh it annoys me how i keep paying more and more money for my cellphone service. fuck you at&t, you money grubbing bastards.

and fuck you for uping your txt msg rates. so unnecessary

MrBlahBlah

Simmer down folks! This is a simple chart, showing what is available for the average, new, walk-in customer. It is good info, but it obviously doesn't apply once you figure in whatever loyalty discounts or other good deals you might find. Thanks for the info Giz!

MrFalcon

Hmmm...so to get the 1500 messages/month I currently receive on my edge blackberry plan, its going to cost me $5 more...($40 for blackberry/1500 messages vs. $30 3G iphone plan + $15 for 1500 messages)

I guess thats not too bad...

12-Inch Idongivafuck Sandwich

@Chromeo: No they didn't, data cost $30 now not $20 as they have it mark, $10 extra for data, $5 for 200 SMS = $15x24 months is $360 + $199 for the phone is a total of $560

snitch29

I think the plan actually will include 200 text messages, or at least that is what is being reported around the interwebs. So that means it just costs $40 more over 2 years. Not too bad.

rockstarjoe

I understand everyone saying that Sprint SERO is a better deal but you have to understand that 80-90% of the population have no idea what it is nor have any idea how easy it is to get.

When doing these comparison charts, Giz is right to quote the original Sprint prices as those are the prices most people will pay. I have lots of friends who pay a lot for Sprint simply because they don't know about SERO (though I've been able to let a few others know about it as well)

yayaba

@snitch29:

...What??? They did include the additional $10 for data...

Chromeo

This is as dumb as those reports that say kids cost 350,000 dollars or mothers work is worth 117,000 a year. Maybe we should opt to go the cheap route and die?

sergio_e

Wait! The iphone 3G doesn't even include 200 text messages?

gamecrazychris

since when does the phone matter to the price of the plan? data is data. 20 for the crap and 30 for the 3g. Isn't this basically what going on most everywhere? I pay 99 for unlimited everything with T-Mo. Hacked iPhone. no problem. I don't look at the service price as cost of ownership cause my bill would be the same with the freebie phones too.

I went to buy an iPod Touch for 300 and a Pearl for 150. My friend pointed me to the refurb 8gb for 250 so I bought that instead and felt like I saved 200. Again, my bill didn't change. Care to enlighten me?

sergio_e

why didn't you factor in Family Plans, the 3G is cheaper in those brackets I was breaking em down last night.

odnet

You are ignoring the Time Value of Money in your "True Price"

[en.wikipedia.org]

nlyonssmith

too bad the Sprint Mogul is ugly as sin.

chopstickhero

@theweerdough: Yes, it can tether wired, over Bluetooth and even over Wi-Fi using WMWiFiRouter.

scoobydoo

It's not bad for a new buyer, certainly, esp with the improvements. For someone who already owns an iPhone and will get the 2.0 upgrade, though, is it worth restarting the clock on the 2 year deal and paying for the hardware AND the bigger contract? If I were to upgrade, it would cost me a net $560 over 2 years just for 3G and GPS.

Not worth it for me, but I live/work in Googleburg and have Wi-Fi everywhere. YMMV.

Donk In A Box

Sorry, I meant the question to go to muyoso.

gregal

According to ZDNet, it does include the Text messages.

[blogs.zdnet.com]

voltron80

@ Gizmodo, no it won't cost you a extra $160, It's more like a extra $360 plus the price of the phone = a grand total of $560 and that's just the 8GB model, you forgot data cost $10 extra now. If anyone is thinking of jumping the boat to AT&T you might wanna hold off for a few months cause AT&T & apple no longer have a 5 year contract so iphone might make it to your carrier sooner than you think

snitch29

@muyoso: can the mogul be used as a tethered modem? That would be another added value. My centro can, which would cost an extra 40 (I'm guessing) a month for an iPhone user

theweerdough

Hey itchytooth,
Can you tell me where to find the rebate to make the Sprint Mogul free?
When I go to sprint.com/sero and put in the email address and then my zip it shows the mogul as:

Regular price $549.99
Instant savings -$150.00
Mail-in Rebate -$100.00
Final Price: $299.99

Thanks!

gregal

They are just trying to justify the Iphone to themselves by ignoring ALL the other deals.

muyoso

wait... SMS costs 5 bucks WTF... i was going to drop my unlimited plan 20 bucks and now it looks like ill only save 5 bucks in total if i go with the new phone. Wow this is lovely F**ck you AT&T...

Bantam

These prices assume you are too dumb to shop around for a better price. The XV6800 is $299 from Amazon and the Tilt is just $99 (AR) from Letstalk.com (same for the Mogul).

It's already clear that neither AT&T or Apple will be lowering the price on their own, plus they won't be selling them through other vendors (like Amazon).

And as someone mentioned earlier, this also assumes you don't ever read the Internet to learn about Sprint SERO.

scoobydoo

16GB iPhone: $299
AT&T Termination to avoid their service: $175
State/Local Tax: approx. $30

Still a $500 phone to those not looking for AT&T and want to jailbreak it.

All good ol' Steve Jobs really did is say: "C'mon guys, stop hacking the iPhone. No? Well, ok how about this...there is now a $175 discount to anyone who doesn't jailbreak it, likes AT&T, or wants a new 2-year contract!"

UnStatusTheQuo

@ itchytooth at 03:44 PM

There are a bunch of people working on it.

muyoso

@muyoso: Also, do you think it will be possible to get Android running on the Mogul or the HTC Touch? I'm thinking about switching back to Sprint, and Android would make those phones way more appealing to me.

itchytooth

Here is the updated column for the Sprint Mogul

Sprint Mogul - $0 - $30 - $0 - Unlimited - Included - $720

muyoso

@muyoso: You beat me. People overlook SERO all the time and it's a completely legitimate deal - An insanely good deal, if you want any of the phones Sprint has and you don't mind dealing with their customer service

itchytooth

Those prices are ridiculous for services, I can see the actual phone costing $200 or even $500. But $30 for data on top of $39.99 for voice(I believe this is the lowest available calling plan)? What a rip-off.

tamaudio

Nice table. Seems the price plans for the old iPhone on O2 have gone missing, so I actually don't know how much the phone used to cost here in the UK. Anyone remember?

Onouris

Thanks for the chart, Giz.

AJ_Syrinx

i just want to see the touch come down in price now... so I don't have to switch to AT&T which sucks here.

forrestcook

Except that anyone can sign up for a SERO plan with sprint and get that plan for $30. That knocks about $1000 off.

itchytooth

Oh, and I got my phone for -50 dollars after the mail in rebate, that is, they PAID me 50 dollars for the phone, so your numbers are WAY the hell off.

muyoso

iphonemodo?

thedommer

Um, interesting, I have the Sprint Mogul and I pay 30 dollars a month for 600 minutes, unlimited data, unlimited texts, unlimited MMS, unlimited mobile to mobile, and unlimited nights and weekends. Your chart is completely wrong.

muyoso

i didnt know the sero plan existed and if i wasnt only paying $10 to add to a family plan, id probably switch. the amoratized difference between a sero plan mogul and the 3g iphone would be ~$10/month for me. Its tempting but i think the iphone's power might be too strong. Are there any better phones than the mogul or touch coming to sprint anytime soon?

Khamel

how much is it to cancel our original iphone contracts though?

rudeadly

200 sms isn't included anymore? Wtf......

OGHowie

You all will pay the iPhone luxury tax.

Late_Night

Maybe I'm just missing something, but AT&T will be the only service carrying the iPhone, right? So if you want an iPhone, you have to go with AT&T, right? Like, if you didn't want the Mogul, or whatever other phones have been mentioned, and you wanted an actual 3G iPhone, you'd have to go with AT&T, right? Well, if that's what you want, you pay what it costs. If that is not what you want, buy something else. Get over it.

Jomolungma

On SERO with an HTC Touch. Will get an HTC Touch Pro (aka Raphael). Have a jailbroken ipod touch for music/movies mainly b/c the screen is bigger. Total cost for 24 months is ~$1400 and I never worry about anything running out of batteries (my co-worker goes the last couple of hours of his work day without music b/c of battery concerns).

meefer

Good article, Thanks!

aphex

@rockstarjoe and @voltron80: I'm not too sure about the 200 SMS being included. Based on AT&T's press release, the voice plans are going to be the same voice plans that they currently have. The current voice plans do NOT include any SMS. Also, if you look at the AT&T page, the 450 plan (the 39.99) does not include unlimited Nights and Weekends, so I'm thinking the ZDNet blog might have gotten the included SMS wrong there.

Anks329

Uh, my Sprint unlimited data plan costs me exactly $15.00 a month, plus $5.00 for an extra 300 SMS. I am NOT on SERO, either. There are two different tiers of unlimted data with Sprint, and they provide the exact same 3G connection to the internet. Why in the hell would you pay $30 a month when you can pay $15? And yes, my Touch tethers beautifully with no additional charges (of course, I had to apply a very small tweak to make it run undetected, but therin lies the beauty, doesn't it?)

meatlocker

i think cheapest unlimited data plan from sprint is $15, not $30, no SMS, of course.

clevin

I dont think the upgrade is worth it to me I will wait till xmas and probrably get a better deal. Also more and more sites are becoming iphone optimized making edge good enough for me.

Azteck

how can they have a plan with only 200SMS? thats nuts. I send that many over the course of a fri or sat

johcagaorl

You people are a bunch of whiners. Pay your bill you owe and get over it.

Stacky Botrus

I would gladly stick with my sprint sero plan if there was a sprint phone with a 3"+ screen :(
The 3.5" inch screen of the iPhone is necessary for me to be able to update my website with my phone. Its brutal doing it on my current WM phone

igneous

@muyoso:

Unfortunately, Sprint will be gone in 18-22 months.

Stacky Botrus

I can't believe they are charging $5 more for 200 SMS, that really blows my mind.

colonel_angus

Actually, you have to break up WHO the costs will be going to. If ATT is subsidizing $200 that takes off their profit column on the right by 200 bones. Apple maintains their profit on the device minus the money from the plan, and ATT loses less than 100, but at an overall gain in taking back plan profits. It ends up costing us 160 more over 24 months which means you are paying all of 6.67 bones more a month, stop your bitching, its a win for everyone.

litbruin

@snitch29: You're an idiot.

Yes, the per-month difference is $15, you did get that much right. And yes, $15 times twenty-four months is $360. However, you're not factoring in the cost of the phones correctly. Yes, the new iPhone is $199-299, but the original was $399-499. So, if you compare the two, the new iPhone saves you $200, but costs an additional $360 over the life of the contract, and $360 minus $200 is $160, pumpkin. A math failure is you!

And AT&T still have a five-year exclusive contract. The only thing that has changed is the terms of the revenue sharing. The contract is unchanged. So, four more years to go. A fact-checking failure is also you.

Try reading next time.

wild homes 5: treyarch attacks!

I hope this lesson will teach you kiddies why you need to join a 401k plan at your work, the younger the better.

Lupison

This is the same argument as ANY AND EVERY gadget we buy. You pay for what you WANT. Some people want Samsung, some want Sony, some are ok with Vizio. Some people want cables, other OTA, others Dish...and who knows what package. People buy what they want. Don't want it, don't get it. Anybody that's gonna spend money on a fancy phone can handle a couple hundred $ difference over two years.

trampas

um, not even including the SERO, my sprint mogul has a $15 data/text plan (yes you need the expensive one for the rebate but after that just downgrade) so the numbers are a little off

tonyn84

@RoCKSTaH53: Existing iPhone customers can replace thier old contract with a brand new one for 2 years total.

JEmlay

$160/24

$6.66 more per month to upgrade to 3G....SOLD!!!!!!!!

WTF!!!! 666? HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

JEmlay

Yeah and don't blur the lines here. Apple haters are the ones to jump up and say "APPLE IS FOOLING US" but this whole subsidy/higher monthly cost/separate texting/3G data stuff is AT&T's realm of this. Apple might have been the ones to make the announcement, but it's a stretch to say it's Apple's intent to fool people this way.

Not to mention, if you REALLY wanted to make a case that Apple is fooling people by claiming "half the price", they should look at the fact that this is the cost with a 2-year contract. Original iPhone owners will have to pay probably $399 would be my guess to get this version, unless they swapped out of their contract to start fresh and get a subsidy that way.

RoCKSTaH53

AT&T's page on the 3G iPhone.

Anks329

I think we need a "question of the day"

alter

This interesting information from the leaked AT&T memo that was on Giz on monday, seems to suggest that the 3G Plans will be eligible for IRU (Individual Responsibility User) discount. For me, that's a savings of $6 per month over the current Iphone plan. That's good enough reason for me to get the new phone.

"IRU service discounts for both voice and data plans will apply to iPhone 3G, but not 2G iPhone. CRU service discounts for voice and data will apply to both 2G and 3G, when on a qualifying data plan. IRUs will not get a discount on device purchase for 2G or iPhone 3Gs."

deenster

Hey - get some Econ-geek out there to do a PVM calculation of the $10/month vs. $200 extra today, and the "real" price difference is less than $160. I'd do it, but its been too many years since the one Economics course I had to take.

jaydee333

hmmm. the new plans for iphones doesn't include any text messages? i figured that was included in the 30 dollar data plan.. thats another 5 dollars, at least right there. i would think most people get that, so thats another 120 bucks for two years.

september11th

Actually, even if you bought the 3G iphone, sign the agreement, term'd and paid $175, jailbroke it and carried it over to say tmo, you'd be better off, apart from not having 3G fully supported there.

ruindpzzle

@compuboy: I disagree. Add in the average cost of a $300 GPS and you knock another $12.50 a month off the price.

For me, add in the cost of the average PPC and you knock even more off.

JEmlay

When I got my iPhone the AT&T rep told me since I was on a family plan to not make the iPhone the primary number. So the only extra cost is the data plan - the overall family plan minutes with the family unlimited text messages cover the iPhone as it is just another phone on the plan. Only difference is the data plan. Sweet!

relewis1

@snoots: I'd have to say the average person doesn't care enough to figure out the math. The phone fits in with their monthly budget.

Having the math done was just something to make you go, "Hummmmmmmmm".

JEmlay

I'm paying just over $15 per month on taxes (NY) for a regular $39.99 plan. I'd hate to find out how much tax you'd have to pay for a $74.99 plan. But I'm sure that it would be over $100 total. Doesnt Sprint have a $99 Unlimited everything plan?? Compare that with 450 Daytime minutes, 5000 Night and Weekend minutes and only 200 SMS without MMS capabilities. This thing is an Effing FORTUNE!!!!
Anyone agree????

compuboy

Umm, who wasn't smart enough to figure this out as soon as the phone and plan pricing details were announced?

Did we really need to have the math pointed out to us?

snoots

@Djoyo:

Jesus christ, I pay 30 a month for sprint sero, 60 a month for verizon Fios. Sero is 500 anytime minutes, unlimited EVERYTHING else. Fios is 30 mbps down, 5 mbps up. You are getting KILLED with AT&T.

muyoso

I was going to finally get an Iphone, but I can't justify spending $35 a month for internet on my phone when I already pay ATT for internet at my house. I am an ATT Uverse subscriber as well, so that would be a $200+ bill from ATT every month. That is more than the new 'cheap' iPhone monthly! Disappointed by the change in service options.

Djoyo

all AT&T plans suck. pick a phone. add up your bill. AT&T still sucks. And you guys only use 450 minutes? I'm burning at least 1500 so maybe I'm the only one who has never had a bill under 100 bucks. I don't comprehend these 40 dollar plans either way.

sergio_e

Remember,
If you get an organization or student discount through AT&T, I bet it will actually apply now. I get a 20% discount as a University of California employee. With the old Apple plan, there were no discounts allowed, now they cannot refuse!

donjumpsuit

So who has a Sprint employee email address that I can use in order to get the Sero plan?

UNDERSTAR

What makes people so sure that there will be a 175 ETF to get out of the contract if they want to unlock their phone and use it elsewhere? It's entirely possible that an early out would mean returning the phone. It's clear they're making an intense effort to keep every single one of these phones on the AT&T network *no matter what*.

Also, even if you could liberate your Iphone from AT&T, it looks like it only supports the 3g version of AT&T's EDGE, but not Sprint's SERO unlimmited EVDO -- so your only options are still 30 dollars a month for unlimmited data with AT&T or with T-mobile. The only advantage to unlocking it would just be in being able to drop your voice plan if you wanted to. By all means correct me if I'm mistaken here . . .

Faxmonkey

@sergio_e: 1500 minutes including mobile to mobile and nights and weekends? You could very well be using just 450 billable minutes.

Where's your hate for Verizon plans? They're exactly the same but at least AT&T gives you rollover.

keene

@mkrygeri: You're lying. Plus, how many times have you allegedly bought a tilt for $150?

It always makes me laugh to see these clowns boasting how little they've paid for a phone. The only way you've bougth a tilt that cheaply is either you got a refurb (unlikely, but possible) or you bought one from your crackhead neighbor (more likely).

This table assumes the person buying it wants 200 messages. For the person who doesn't want to text, they're very similar in price.

Also, the $200 price point is much friendlier to the cheapass American consumer than the $400 point was, even if it is $10 more per month. Throw in that AT&T is no longer sharing revenues with Apple, and they're making even more money.

It makes me laugh to see how big of slaves people are to tech gadgets, the same people who call companies like AT&T 'evil' (apparently its evil to be profitable).

Save your money, people.

keene

I've never paid more than $150 for an ATT tilt. 9@$100 1@$150.
use in conjunction with a family paln and BB connect it's MUCH cheaper than that.

mkrygeri

I've already got the original 8 Gig iPhone. My work paid for the phone (we develop iPod & iPhone products)and since I've got family plan they pay the 20 bucks a month data fee. I'm thinking I'll just keep the data plan and get another brand 3G phone, such as the N95 or N78. I'm sick of jailbreaking something that I bought crippled.

Fountainhead

Aha! But what you aren't considering is the time value of money: since the new iPhone costs less up front, you could invest those savings and make some interest, resulting in additional savings.

I'm too lazy to calculate it myself, but I'm sure you'll see that at a reasonable rate of investment it will have nearly no appreciable savings whatsoever. Maybe $10, at 10%.

zimzombie

i'm sorry - where is this information about 0 SMS included in 3G plan coming from?

dvena

@zimzombie:
Yeah, as for time value of money, about all you can do with $200 is toss it into a savings account. So, let's assume you do that, you save it for two years and you're super-lucky so you have a savings account with 3% interest... you would make all of $12.18.

Now, let's take a look at the time value of the extra $10 annuity you're paying monthly for the increase in the data charge. Let's assume that price hadn't increased and that you put that $10 in the same savings account. This is assuming that you did NOT get the discount on the iPhone (so the iPhone would be $399), thus your starting savings balance is $0. You'd have a value of $247.03 in your savings account in 2 years. Now subtract the $200 that would have been your iPhone discount, and you still come out at $47 which is better than $12. You're $35 ahead in that scenario.

So, ultimately, when you consider the TVM, the old iPhone was still the better deal. And I probably just confused everybody...

singlecoilpickup

I love how people do cost comparisons of Apple products, but not one tech site bothered to mention the cost comparison of the original XBox 360 versus the PS3 and the fact that the Xbox Live service and an HD-DVD drive over 3 years actually made the Xbox more expensive than the PS3.

Since nobody bothered to do that, let's look at the iPhone price as-is, versus the last gen - it's half the price for more features, more battery life, and two less grams of weight. Now THAT is an insane deal.

gfair

kinda nice having sprint.

im using my HTC touch tethered to my MBP while im sitting in line outside of a bestbuy. 75 a month.. two phones...touch and centro. unlimited everything.

...please dont rob me:)

ronnsprocket

Why would anyone with an iPhone pay for text messaging? You can just visit websites such as flickim or meebo and have unlimited instant messaging and text messaging for free.

Quatre707

I think there is a word for this....

BUSINESS

fudged71

No, the word is...

OBFUSCATION

turly

Sidekick does it better

lukejf01

Yeah these are 'regular advertised prices' but promos are where its at when buying a smartphone - unlike every other phone in existence, the iPhone never gets promotional rates, and the original only went down in price 20% over a year.

The Motorola MDA(?) was a 3G smartphone launched when the orginal EDGE iPhone was launched - and at the time, was being given away for free.

brundlefly76

with sprint, if you don't like the mogul, there will be the htc diamond and htc touch pro (raphael) which are gorgeous phones that boast full vga.. the diamond (replacing the touch) by the end of summer and the raphael (replacing the mogul) by early Q4, all will be rev A speeds, gps + available with the SERO plan..

haroonie

"But $30 for data on top of $39.99 for voice(I believe this is the lowest available calling plan)? What a rip-off."

Look, if you are a starving student or are poor, fine. This phone isn't for you. In fact, no data capable phone is for you. But for the rest of us, $70-$100/month for a phone that provides email, web, and other services is a good deal, not a rip-off.

Totorototoro

You guys have analyzed Verizon's data plan incorrectly. Their website has 2 choices for data, the 30 dollar one as you guys have chosen is called "Email and Web for Smartphone" which is not the same as "Unlimited Data Usage." Unlimited costs 44.99 a month, so it throws the whole Verizon end of the deal off.

CurtAndromache

There is one additional factor between the original iPhone and the 3G iPhone that makes up for the $100 over two years. According to the AT&T memo to managers released, the iPhone 3G is now available for corporate/school discounts, which are usually at least 15%. If you take 15% off the minimum $70 per month that you would be paying over two years, you save $252 on discounts that would normally not be available with the original iPhone (making it actually cheaper). While discounts are not available to everyone, most people are affiliated with some university/alumni association or company that has discounts available.

LeightonAndromache

Why hasn't anyone mentioned T-Mobiles SideKick (Slide for $199 or LX for $249) plans when comparing these prices yet? 600 minutes per month for $39 (including unlimited nights and weekends), $20 for unlimited e-mail, AIM, web browsing, and text/picture messaging. 59x24+249=$1665 over 2 years for the LX or $1615 for the Slide. Correct me if I am wrong, but thats $150-200 cheaper than the original iPhone over 2 years with unlimited text/picture messaging included, AND an extra 150 minutes per month...

halfie1485

@jaydee333:

I did the present value calculations here:

[spreadsheets.google.com]

The new phone is $141 more expensive in present value terms.

snewe

Using a 3% discount rate you could earn from an online savings account.

Plain Dollars
iPhone OG $1,815
iPhone 3G $1,975
Difference: $160.00

Present Value Dollars (3% discount rate)
iPhone OG $1,771.69
iPhone 3G $1,920.68
Difference: $148.99

This is for those of you complaining that they weren't taking into account the time value of money. BTW, not a huge difference.

dualr

Most people don't know about SERO so I can see why you'd leave it out. I've turned a few friends and family members onto it though and I'm sure a few of them will do the same. With the reality of rising gas/grocery prices finally starting to hit home now, a lot of people will be looking to save wherever they can.

Ron-Mexico

I'm just glad my cheap butt discovered the SERO plan awhile back. I had a LOT of trepidation about leaving Verizon for Sprint, especially since it seemed like most people are swimming the other way. But the phone selection and costs were just too compelling and (for all the areas I've traveled to thus far anyway) I haven't had any major service lapses and had EVDO coverage the vast majority of the time.

To put the cost benefits another way, my savings on my cell bill are almost enough to offset the rise in my monthly gas costs (for the moment anyway.)

Ron-Mexico

@praevalesco:
[delivery.sprint.com]
Yep. So using it as a comparison point for the general public is just stupid.

Totorototoro

You guys don't mention how the hell to take advantage of SERO.... I checked the website and you have to be invited.

praevalesco

First off, I want to address some of you who mentioned SERO plans and employee discounts. This article and chart have nothing to do with those, so stop talking about what a great deal you have. This chart refers to what anyone can go into a store and buy under normal circumstances. An employee discount is NOT that! < br />
Someone mentioned that Gizmodo forgot T-Mobile. Yes, they left them out for a reason though, their 3G is not comparable for the time being. < br />
Also, money Isn't as big of an issue after you realize your getting an iPhone. It is by far the best smartphone experience, even without 3G or GPS. The fact that I have seen 3 year olds, on a few occasions, pick one up and actually understand how to work it, speaks for itself. < br />
As for Gizmodo, there is one thing people have forgotten about, WiFi Hotspots. AT&T has over 70,000 Hotspots which may very well be included with the 3G iPhone. If that actually happens , it will add a ton of value.

OrlanthaPaddum

First off, I want to address some of you who mentioned SERO plans and employee discounts. This article and chart have nothing to do with those, so stop talking about what a great deal you have. This chart refers to what anyone can go into a store and buy under normal circumstances. An employee discount is NOT that! < br />
Someone mentioned that Gizmodo forgot T-Mobile. Yes, they left them out for a reason though, their 3G is not comparable for the time being. < br />
Also, money Isn't as big of an issue after you realize your getting an iPhone. It is by far the best smartphone experience, even without 3G or GPS. The fact that I have seen 3 year olds, on a few occasions, pick one up and actually understand how to work it, speaks for itself. < br />
As for Gizmodo, there is one thing people have forgotten about, WiFi Hotspots. AT&T has over 70,000 Hotspots which may very well be included with the 3G iPhone. If that actually happens , it will add a ton of value.

OrlanthaPaddum

@theweerdough:
Yes it can be ... but you can also share your internet connection using the built in Bluetooth ... which I frequently do on my Macbook in non wifi areas.

JessieChrysippus

@null:
By the way, the link for this program is https://www.wireless.att.com/business/authenticate/. All you have to do is type in your work/school email and it will let you know if you qualify for a discount. Note: this does not mean that it is a corporate account; it's still an individual account. You can add discounts your existing AT&T service. It's interesting how few people know about this program. (Note that similar discount programs are available with other carriers; the comparison above was only intended to compare the 3G iPhone to the original iPhone.)

LeightonAndromache

Most people say SERO is dead unless you have a legit sprint employee email address and they verify it for you. I think most of us missed the boat on that one.

praevalesco

This is actually cheaper than my plan from Verizon for my Treo 700P (which uses EVDO) that I signed up for 2 years this coming August.

Treo 700P phone: $399
Voice Plan: $39.99 for 450 min (I also get $6 off that for State of Ohio employee discount.)
Data Plan $40 (yes $40. so that is $10 more than the iPhone 3G data plan and $20 more than the current iPhone data plan)
SMS Text MSG $5 for 250 messages

For a total of $2438.76 over my 2 year contract before taxes (my taxes are about another $5 a month). Which is $463.76 more than the iPhone 3G plan.

I actually ended up dropping my $40 a month data plan (you can do so any time without penalty from Verizon at least) since it was so expensive and the Treo's browser is a joke it just wasn't worth it.

darkfiber2

@muyoso

"Um, interesting, I have the Sprint Mogul and I pay 30 dollars a month for 600 minutes, unlimited data, unlimited texts, unlimited MMS, unlimited mobile to mobile, and unlimited nights and weekends. Your chart is completely wrong."

I'm not saying you don't have what you claim but that's not a readily available Sprint plan. If it was, it would be Sprint Simply Everything for $30 a month.

acedickson

First off, I want to address some of you who mentioned SERO plans and employee discounts. This article and chart have nothing to do with those, so stop talking about what a great deal you have. This chart refers to what anyone can go into a store and buy under normal circumstances. An employee discount is NOT that! Someone mentioned that Gizmodo forgot T-Mobile. Yes, they left them out for a reason though, their 3G is not comparable for the time being. Also, money Isn't as big of an issue after you realize your getting an iPhone. It is by far the best smartphone experience, even without 3G or GPS. The fact that I have seen 3 year olds, on a few occasions, pick one up and actually understand how to work it, speaks for itself. As for Gizmodo, there is one thing people have forgotten about, WiFi Hotspots. AT&T has over 70,000 Hotspots which may very well be included with the 3G iPhone. If that actually happens , it will add a ton of value.

GiuseppinaGauvinized

buy 3G iphone from ebay. if the cost of 8 GB iphone is 400 $ retail without ATT contract, you will probably end up paying 500 $ minimum on ebay. so you pay 300 $ extra for the iphone (500-200). buy unlocking software from ebay for 5 $ if needed. then you dont need ATT data plan. the phone has wi-fi, for god's sake. unless you dont do anything else other than surfing on your iphone (find a job !!!). Savings, according to me: 30 $ x 24 = 720 $ for data plan. you paid extra 300 $ for phone, so net savings = 720-300 = 420 $. sounds good for people who use their phones only as phones and sometimes as smartphones with wi-fi.

ViljoBabawaba

Sprint Touch by HTC, new box, from eBay: $250-300 (mine $250)
Sprint Month-to-Month 200 Minutes, free N/W: $39.99
PowerVision Pro (Unlimited Data/SMS/TV/Nav:) $30.00
200 Bonus Minutes (added whenever you need:) $5.00
One time activation: $36.00

Total cost of phone: $250-300
Service for first month: $110.99, $74.99 every other month

And no contract.

And with my HTC Touch using the leaked Sprint ROM, I can use GPS Nav, EvDO Rev A, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, etc.

With no monthly commitment.

This way I have everything I want now, and when the Diamond comes out I can sign a contract to get it for cheap lol.

Realistically though, if I was to be on a 2 year contract (which I was before I canceled my service and bought the phone on eBay) the phone is $179 at Best Buy (flat, no rebates or anything) and the minimum everything included plan was $69.99 with 450 minutes I think.

So the iPhone is a scam.

Mike

it really is a simplification of life, worth the extra money if you ask me. If i can leave the house in the morning with just a phone, instead of a phone, an ipod, a game machine, a pda and a gps, I'm a happier, more peaceful guy!
[www.freeiphone3gtoday.info]

yfrontdude

Were we told at some point that AT&T's $30 3G data plan did not come with text messaging? This is the first time I have heard about this.

rml4uk

Now what if you're upgrading your original iPhone plan? Will it just be $10 more/month or will it be $10 more/month and then an additional $5/month for 200 sms? Also, what if you plan to keep your 3G turned off(like me since I don't get 3G in my area) do you have to upgrade plan or just stick in the SIM from the first iPhone?

MarianHamjam

Where is enterprise pricing? Business data plans are $45 a month, probably should include things like that in an article of this nature.

switchxfactor

why don't people stop complaining and get a job

s03l03

Hey guys,

I just started an online petition to Apple and AT&T, asking them to reconsider their new purchasing policies for the iPhone 3G. Lets make our voices heard, just so they know that we do not agree with the policies.

[www.petitiononline.com]

Thanks,
Alfonso Olvera

woodlandsfonz

Using a 3% discount rate you could earn from an online savings account. Plain Dollars iPhone OG $1,815 iPhone 3G $1,975 Difference: $160.00 Present Value Dollars (3% discount rate) iPhone OG $1,771.69 iPhone 3G $1,920.68 Difference: $148.99 For those of you complaining that they weren't taking into account the time value of money. BTW, not a huge difference

CarlisleGorgon

i agree. snitch 29 is an idiot.

pinkertoncalavo

Sprint SERO:

Treo 700wx: $150
500 anytime minutes + unlimited 3g data: $30/month

Over 2 years: $870 (not including taxes, for me this is around $930)

mastercd

do you know if your already a sprint customer, if you can switch to a SERO plan?

stupidly i signed up through my employer for a "discount" that is more than double the price of the sero plan.

takoattack

Following up on my previous message I right now own an Iphone and only pay 67 bucks tax included a month. When i get an 3G Iphone ill be paying 83 bucks a month tax included, a 16 dollar increased. 16 times 12 is really 194 bucks. Even if its a small number your still saving 8 bucks every year.The plan of the regular Iphone may be different but if u add the product and the yearly cost, you'll find the IPhone 3G was the cheaper way to go. from Christian

BaldwinAtalanta

You still save 40 dollars on getting the IPhone 3G comparing the total price between the IPhone and the 3G IPhone if you add the price of the phone and the 2 year contract.

BaldwinAtalanta

Why all this focus on two years? Does everyone simply expect to buy a new one of these every two years? Okay, maybe lots of people on *this* site would be eager to get new technology by then, but the public at large? Are *most* people replacing these devices that often?

The 3G may be $160 more expensive over two years, but the difference continues to grow and it gets still more expensive after three, etc.

AnotherScott

On any non-iPhone, can't you just get the $15/month MediaNet plan for data? I'm pretty sure people have told me it will work fine. If true, that'll save $360 for the ATT Tilt.

cjust

@muyoso: According to Sprint's website, the 450 all-in plan is $70 a month, 900 minutes is $90. So you seem to be a little confused. There are definitely no carriers out there offering all in data plans plus 600 minutes for $30 a month.

Adam Frucci

what about the time value of money?

415guy

I think you are listing high prices for the non iPhones - maybe not using the upgrade/subsidy price? I got a Q9h within a week of release for $149 when I was eligible for an upgrade. That's the price a new AT&T customer would have gotten as well. ________________________________ Dan Houston Civic Economics www.CivicEconomics.com 512.853.9044 CREATIVITY * OPPORTUNITY * PROSPERITY

MiriamNiobe

Overall 2 yr cost is higher, but you receive significantly better data service. Why is anyone surprised at the monthly increase for faster service? Did anyone expect to pay the same when they went from dialup to DSL/cable?
Is AT&T a rip-off? Yes, but that's independent of the iPhone.
The question I have is, when will someone write a legit app that allows me to share out the iPhone 3G connection (via WIFI) to my laptop?

jaizone

Your iPhone 3G pricing doesn't factor in the $45 data plan you apparently have to pay for to get many of the really cool (enterprise) features that were shown at the keynote. Allegedly if you want to get turn-by-turn directions with the GPS that will be an additional $10 monthly fee. That would come to roughly $2,575. Then there is also $99/year for Mobile Me, which may also be required for some of the flashy newness: $2,773. I'm not convinced it is entirely fair to lump that expense on the iPhone, but it is something to consider, particularly if you would not have signed up for the service otherwise.

Also remember that for all these plans there are taxes and other fees. I suspect the stock plans are all rather more expensive than you portray. Last month I ended up paying roughly $70 for my $40 voice plan after the RUFs (Random Unexpected Fees) that AT&T likes to add as well as taxes.

BlowfishAvenger

nice chart, but you left off activation plus the extra $1 since the plan is $39.99 (rounded to $40). also, the total cost depends on when you bought the phone... you either paid $400 or $600 for your handset. here are more targeted totals for the 8GB model:

iPhone 2.5G/EDGE
===============
$ 36 activation
$400/$600 handset (+ appropriate sales tax)
$960 voice for 2 yrs ($40/mo * 12 * 2 + telecom taxes)
$480 data for 2 yrs ($20/mo * 12 * 2)
$ 0 SMS for 2 yrs (included in data plan)
------
$1876/2076 subtotal (minus taxes)

iPhone 3G
$ 36 activation (same as above)
$200 handset (+ sales tax)
$960 voice for 2 yrs (same as above)
$720 data for 2 yrs ($30/mo * 12 * 2)
$120 SMS for 2 yrs ($5/mo * 12 * 2)
------
$2036 subtotal (minus taxes)

of course, the difference is the same $160 you concluded. i'm lucky that my company *requires* the iPhone for work and paying for everything. i know a lot of you have SERO, and that's what i have for my personal phone -- no need for a Mogul when i have an iPhone, so i just settled for the ultra-thin RAZR2 -- it's "ok".

it would be a tough call if my company didn't foot the bill and i'd have to make a choice. i really like the "platform" aspect of the iPhone -- it's like a portable computer with a phone (vs. a phone with some computing features), but the SERO plan is so much more cost-effective, even if you get an AT&T corporate rate plan. SERO is really unbeatable, and if u don't need customer service, more power to you.

meNmyPhone

that chart is retarded...when did the people at giz develop down syndrome?
sprint has the cheapest unlimited individual plans on the market.

$69.99 per month gets you unlimited everything and 450 anytime minutes. which is more than enough cause u still get unlimited nights and weekends starting at -7-!

and just so the readers of giz understand it..as long as u don't go over 450 minutes during the month, the bill will stay $69.99.

at $69.99 a month that puts sprint well under any competition at a cool $1679.78 not including tax.

go ahead and use the xtra $200 i just saved u to buy a iphone 3G and shit on it.

da_muh_fuqin_prosa-q-ter

I also have written up some time value of money/net present value calculations for new and old iPhone. Bottom line: you'd have to make over 15% on your money before the two costs even out. See http://gravitationalpull.net/wp/ One other factor not yet mentioned: the cell phone operators apply all their bogusly mislabeled monthly charges as a percentage of your monthly plan. Paying more for the phone and less for the plan reduces these fees. The new iPhone 3 inflates these charges so the difference in savings is even greater. -Aaron Pressman

SwapnasundariHecuba

"Why all this focus on two years? Does everyone simply expect to buy a new one of these every two years?"

Well, most phone contracts with hardware subsidies are for two years-so its a good place to start.

And no, everyone does not simply expect to buy a new one every two years. I'm buying a new one after one year. :p

Totorototoro

@12-Inch Idongivafuck Sandwich: Why would anybody need 1500 text messages per month? You'd have to be doing nothing but sending text messages all day to send that many.

Aardvaarkman

I don't have money to pay for the Iphone nor it's expensive plan. I have decided to keep my non-existent money :-( Congratulations to those who can afford it...hope you don't develop carpal tunnel fingering your Iphone non-stop ;-)

rjbuddyboi

and u say that 299 dollars is expensive? let me tell something to ya... it´s pretty damn cheap!

in brazil u can find an ipod touch (yes, ipod touch) for... 662 dollars.... so, Y THE HELL R U ALL COMPLAINING?

and for the plans here? hahaha it´s kinda funny..... u pay like 60 dollars for a 200 minute + 60 sms plan... funny? stop complaining!

jpbraconi

sorry to say but the iPhone is cheaper... the plan is made by AT&T not by apple...
and it´s normal so see that a 3G plan is more expensive than a normal plan...

so, what´s that all about?

jpbraconi

The last (T-Mobile)cell I had was a Nokia 6010-ish about 4 years ago. I still have the phone and use it as an alarm clock (yea, I've been off the grid for a while).

I'm 30+ years of age now and after growing up with Apple, being financialy forced to use dime-a-dozen PC's and now seeing the iPhone g3 as my chance to slowly get back in touch w/ Mac I wonder how much has changed.

I spent this last weekend getting back into the game... GSM, REV A, EDGE, G3, WiFi etc...

As a newbee I almost signed up for a Sprint, BlackBerry "Simply Everything" plan.

Here's what scratches my "new toy" itch (I can wait a few months).

No tethering? That's fine under these conditions (keep in mind that I'm a single male):

1. The Safari Browser renders most sites readable.

2. I can view streaming content (porn, music...LIVE TV!) I'm in Sacramento, Ca. and the nearest Mobi-TV coverage is in Reno.

3. I can browse useing the iPhone plugged into the wall w/ the battery takin out w/out damaging the unit (my unit as well) ;)

My set up now is Land line, PC, DSL all via ATT w/ no long distance. I either use a calling card or email. I'm content but I've got that itch for a new toy.

People spend so much money on Home phone, Cell phone, Cable or Dish, Internet access, XM etc...

Just give me a little mobile toy with a little mobile screen and I'm good.

I'm a nights and weekends talker. I'm not big on texting and the NexTell beep hurts my ears. I will pay for the unlimited data plan with minimal minutes.

Why is this such a hard process? How do you spell "retorical?"

cmall

Hate to start a new battle but.... Helio $99 unlimited everything just about. Yes, the Ocean is bulky but it does a great job for sending photos, videos, and text messages. If they came out with a better phone in the next 12 months I probably would stay with them. But I am craving a iPhone.

Husar

What would be the total monthly price for the $39 (cheapest) monthly plan, plus data at $30, plus the $5 SMS ...plus what additional fees or taxes are there? I currently have a pay-as-you go plan with Virgin Mobile, which for me is awesome. I pay $20 every THREE months, that's it. But I would go for the iPhone possibly. Are there miscellaneous taxes and fees that could potentially cost as much as 20 or 30 dollars in addition? That's how my old Sprint plan was, and I cancelled that for the minimalist Virgin Mobile. What does someone's monthly bill come to? I live in San Francisco so I'll bet there are some kind of whopping local fees and taxes.

Malarkey