I’d really like a Nokia N96 instead of an iPhone as I really like the Symbian OS interface that the Nokia N-Series has. But most of the N9x series were quite expensive (until now where Three are almost giving away the original N95 model) and I don’t think I could justify the $1000+pricetag if the iPhone was only a few hundred dollars. Maybe I just not comparing apples and apples.

- Dylan

Yes, Tim, I brought it up in the interests of presenting a complete set of facts. A business person would of course have been brain-dead to pay the $45 per month business data plan fee up until now (in fact, until September) because the benefit of this plan is that it allows use of “push” e-mail on supported devices like Windows Mobile and Blackberry handsets. Since the iPhone didn’t do that, a buyer would have been much smarter to get the $20 data plan. Which they all did, I’m sure. Although the willingness of Apple partisans to overpay is legendary.

As you might see, the iPhone is going to be sell in 70 Countries now, Including Central-Americans Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

I’m from Costa Rica, Why Not Costa Rica or Panama?
Why Apple doesn’t want to deal with our Only Provider “I.C.E” ?
Should it because “I.C.E” doesn’t require a phone Locked to the Network? (that means all 1.5 million cell services here in CR uses unlocked phones)

Here many Tech-Enthusiastic people are waiting for an iPhone/iPhone 3G, but the only way to have it JailBreaking it.

I watched Job’s Keynote and they way he paints new iPhone is Awesome and makes anyone to decide to get a new iPhone intermediately.

I don’t want an iPhone since I have a 3G Sony Ericsson K850i (Great Everything) but what about all other fellas who want one?

But since it clearly means a lot to you, go ahead and claim that as a win. I’m moving on.

So it IS cheaper! You observe that the business plan hasn’t increased in price, zero change. You don’t compare it to other plans which may be (they often are) more expensive. The sensible conclusion is: that the iPhone got cheaper for business users. But you need to say: “But it’s a lot of money.” Even though it isn’t compared to past plans and competing plans.

It’s pretty straightforward: some people refuse to pay for an expensive device because other phones are being subsidized but they may be already paying high subscriber fees; some people are willing to pay more for a device but not the service. Other people fall in between or or are not concerned. If the goal is to properly educate people trying to make a decision, stating that a cheaper iPhone is a myth is just as misleading.

You claim you always analyze phones this way, that you aren’t trying to be misleading. Yet you refuse to cite any mention by you of applying this methodology, of treating a subscription as a device cost, of looking at how expensive 3G data plans are.

“- you pay $879 total for iPhone v1 on EDGE
- $919 total for iPhone v2 on 3G (and GPS…)
- (for early adopters, it’s $1079 total for 2 years…)”

I do not think the added price from iPhone 2G v1 to iPhone 3G v2 is very steep.

However, the 2 year contract (which I detest) and the activation issues (which apple had to implement to protect att) are putting me off from going from my iPhone 2G 8gig (Unlocked) to a iPhone 3G 8/16 gig .

I received my iPhone from my company and I do not have a contract with att.

I have a t-mobile contract w/edge and if t-mobile had a 3G network I may consider switching to the new 3G iPhone.

3G would be nice but I will not sign a 2 year contract with att

I wonder if anyone will figure out how to get around the activation process to unlock the 3G iPhone somehow.

Thoughts?

That makes the new iPhone 4.5% more expensive after 2 years ownership and service with AT&T… in exchange for slimmer phone, faster connection, GPS and what not… not too bad.

Also, the analogy with the car isn’t right, because with the car you are talking about a loan (and you do end up keeping the car after you finish paying it). With the iPhone, it’s really the phone + service that end up being slightly more expensive (and better…). After 2 years of ownership, you still have to pay the same $30 per month…

I don’t have an iPhone BTW and I’m already an AT&T customer (with a 2+ years old RAZR). I do find it pretty slick, I was waiting to see v2… Am considering it, I want to see what the new Samsungs and others are worth before deciding what to change my RAZR with.

“I just find it silly that no one says WinMo devices cost 3 grand.”

My post started with this premise: “I’m seeing a bunch of headlines today that say things like The iPhone Gets Faster and Cheaper.”

Not a word about WiMo. Interesting how some people think.

It’s not cheaper. Period.

Which is how? AT&T didn’t have an unlimited data plan until the first iPhone approached, and for non-iPhones it ranged from $35 to 40 before 3G was introduced while the iPhone was $20.

“As for your item #2, any sane person factors in the full cost of a phone when they are buying a subsidized model.”

I have never heard anyone say, “This RAZR cost me $1500.”

“If you buy an unlocked phone, you pay extra but can take it to any service.”

And? Who’s talking about unlocked? How many unlocked phones are sold in the US? Certainly, nowhere close to the majority. 10% being generous?

“And when I analyze this deal I see that Apple is delivering an improved product for a slightly higher price than it charged before.”

And I see Apple delivering a slightly improved product at a much cheaper price and AT&T delivering a much improved service at a higher price.

In the last statement I quoted, we are much closer to being in agreement. I just find it silly that no one says WinMo devices cost 3 grand. If you do, that’s cool, I’d love to see a link.

Your car analogy that has no service is absurd, and no I wouldn’t say it’s cheaper because it’s not ANALOGOUS.