Rumor: Apple to Sell Contract-Free $350 iPhone

[exfileme]

Apple may re-introduce the iPhone 3GS as a $350 contract-free smartphones in late August.

Rumor: Apple to Sell Contract-Free $350 iPhone : Read more

 

[Guest]

Apple is starting to really piss off previous gen iPhone users. If they decide to release the iPhone 4s it better not be more expensive than my 2-year contract price with my iPhone 3GS! It just doesn't make sense to me. The iPhone 4 will not be mid level phone this fall, it will be a low end phone. Those 3gs should be going for dirt cheap or should stop being made if not.

 

[jblack]

I don't think $350 for a 3GS is a good deal. It is a rip-off. $350 for a 2 year old phone? I think you'd be better off getting it for $50 with a 2-year contract.

 

[jblack]

I think the other issue here is that the 3GS is GSM only. This means you can ONLY use it on T-mobile (With Edge, no 3G) or on ATT. I don't think the 3GS would be good for a prepaid phone.

 

[bavman]

What? Someone said previous gen iphone with slower processor, weaker graphics, crappier screen, no front facing camera, all for $350? Plus its still locked to a super crappy network who overcharges their users and doesnt even offer unlimited data; cant be used on tmo?

whats not to like?

 

[The Greater Good]

[citation][nom]Mastervivi10[/nom]first[/citation]

First at what? The pole smoking contest?

 

[eddieroolz]

$350 is way too much for an outdated hardware. You could pick up a mint one on craigslist for little over $200 these days.

 

[chronicbint]

$350 isn't too bad, considering an entry level android phone(HTC Wildfire S) is similar priced. Though you cant expect people to talk sense on an Apple story.

 

[aaron88_7]

$350 not bad? I just paid $130 for an LG Optimus V for Virgin Mobile. Rooted it, loaded Gingerbread, and clocked it to 800mhz. Not sure what the 3GS has that makes it worth the extra $220.

 

[idono]

What did you expect? Apple actually selling something for a reasonable price?
People never learn.

 

[Guest]

You forgot, you must add in the Apple mark-up! Once taken into account, then the $350 makes perfect sense...

Makes me happy that Apple doesn't make games, otherwise I'd be paying $99 for any recent video game =/

 

[sundragon]

[citation][nom]aaron88_7[/nom]$350 not bad? I just paid $130 for an LG Optimus V for Virgin Mobile. Rooted it, loaded Gingerbread, and clocked it to 800mhz. Not sure what the 3GS has that makes it worth the extra $220.[/citation]

LOL - It's unlocked - was your Optimus unlocked? All phones are a lot more expensive without a carrier lock and contract..

 

[dalethepcman]

The only reason Apple will sell this for $350, is that they don't want to undercut their iPod sales.

Who would buy a iPod if they could buy an iPhone for cheaper?[citation]

[nom]sundragon[/nom]LOL - It's unlocked - was your Optimus unlocked? All phones are a lot more expensive without a carrier lock and contract..[/citation]

"Without a Contract" does not equal "Unlocked," and only CDMA phones can be carrier locked so exactly what are you trying to say?

 

[dalethepcman]

^^ citation broke in firefox. Doh!

 

[BSMonitor]

Any cheap iPhone would need to be at least iPhone 4 like. Maybe drop a 4GB version or something contract free.. The battery life between 3GS and most droids vs iPhone is that dramatic.

 

[BSMonitor]

iPhone 4 that is

 

[sweatlaserxp]

When they say "contract-free" do they mean it is fully unlocked GSM that works with any SIM card? Or that it's "contract-free", but restricted to only one pre-paid provider (such as AT&T)? They need to clarify that.

If it's fully unlocked, then $350 is a very good price. The unlocked iPhone 4 is $650 on Apple's website. Keep in mind that when you buy a phone without a contract, you are not being subsidized by the carrier, and you are paying the full cost for the phone. You may think you're getting a good deal on a $100 iPhone with a 2-year contract, but sit down and think about how much money that will cost you versus buying the phone outright and getting a T-Mobile prepaid plan with a data package. If you use wi-fi a lot, you don't need that big of a data plan anyway.

 

[aaron88_7]

[citation][nom]sundragon[/nom]LOL - It's unlocked - was your Optimus unlocked? All phones are a lot more expensive without a carrier lock and contract..[/citation]
If someone wants to pay $220 because they are too stupid to figure out how to root a phone then go ahead, it really isn't that hard to do.

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

Apparently, US is getting worse and worse. In Asia and Europe, 90% of the phones are sold without a contract. People want a PHONE, not "the whole package". So all this "locked/unlocked" price difference is a pile of BS. If I want a phone, I don't see why it has to come with a contract. This new scheme of "locking" the phones is pathetic. Together with useless Internet data plans it puts US to shame.