iPhone 3G Price

Answer:

Looking for information about the new iPhone 4S, instead? Read How Much Does the iPhone 4S Cost?.

Wondering how much you'll pay to get a shiny new iPhone 3G? The price of the iPhone really depends on two factors: The price of the phone itself, plus the service fee you pay every month to AT&T. Here's a complete list of all the costs associated with buying and owning an iPhone 3G.

THE PHONE ITSELF

The iPhone 3G is available from four authorized retailers: Apple, AT&T, Best Buy, and Walmart. All of them, except Walmart, charge the same price for the various iPhone models. (Walmart's prices are $2 cheaper.) All of these prices require that you sign a new two-year service contract with AT&T; existing AT&T customers who are eligible for an upgrade will get these prices, too.

8GB iPhone 3G (Black): $19916GB iPhone 3G (Black): $29916GB iPhone 3G (White): $299

AT&T subscribers who are not yet eligible for a handset upgrade will be charged the following prices:

8GB iPhone 3G (Black): $39916GB iPhone 3G (Black): $49916GB iPhone 3G (White): $499

All existing AT&T customers will be charged an upgrade fee of $18, whether or not they are eligible for the discounted prices.

MONTHLY SERVICE

When purchasing an iPhone 3G, you'll need a voice plan, a data plan, and a text messaging plan in order to use the phone. Here's how much you can expect to pay for your monthly service:

Data

Unlimited Data Plan: $30 per month

This is a requirement; AT&T does not offer another data plan for the iPhone 3G.

Voice Plans

AT&T offers a choice of voice plans for the iPhone 3G. All offer a certain number of nationwide calling minutes, and all offer free calling to other AT&T mobile phones.

$99.99 per month: Unlimited voice minutes$79.99 per month: 1350 voice minutes$59.99 per month: 900 voice minutes$39.99 per month: 450 voice minutes

All of the plans (except the unlimited plan) include rollover minutes, which allow you to save unused voice minutes and apply them to your next bill should you go over your allotment. Additional minutes cost between 35 cents and 45 cents per minute, depending on your plan.

Most of the plans offer unlimited free night (9pm to 6am) and weekend calling; the only one that doesn't is the plan with 450 minutes, which limits you to 5000 night and weekend minutes.

All of the plans also require that you pay a one-time activation fee of $36 to set up the line.

Text Plans

The first-generation iPhone did not require you to pay for a text plans; all text messages sent and received were included as part of the unlimited data plan. That's no longer the case. If you plan on using your iPhone 3G to send text messages, you'll want a text plan. Here are the options.

$20 per month: Unlimited Texting$15 per month: 1500 text messages (sent or received); 5 cents for each additional message$5 per month: 200 text messages (sent or received); 10 cents for each additional message

Without a plan, you'll be charged 20 cents for each text message you send or receive.

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Cell Phone Service Contracts

Signing a service contract with a cell phone carrier is often necessary to get the cellular service and the cell phone that you want. But committing to a two-year contract can be intimidating, even if you're not a commitment-phobe.

Don't take the commitment lightly. After all, you are agreeing to pay what can be a large sum of money to this company every month for the next 24 -- or more -- months. Over time, you may spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on cell phone service.

And, once you've signed on the dotted line, it may be too late to go back. So before you take that step, do your research. Here's what you need to know before you sign up for cellular service.

Before you sign up, find out how you can get out of the contract, should you need to. Most companies will fine you if you decide to terminate the contract early -- and those fines can be as high as several hundred dollars. Find out exactly how much you'll owe if you need to bail, and find out if the fine goes down over time. You may be fined $360 for cancelling within the first year, for example, but that fee may get lower each month after that.

Some cellular carriers offer a limited trial period during which you cancel your contract without paying the penalty fee. Find out if you carrier offers this trial, which is likely to be no longer than 30 days -- if that.

If you do get a trial period, use the time wisely. Use your phone in as many different locations as you can, such as in your home, on your usual commuter routes, and at any places you frequent, so you'll know if your service works where you need to use it. If it doesn't, you may need to switch carriers -- something that can be very difficult to do later on.

You sign up for service that costs $39.99 a month, but when your bill arrives, the total you owe is closer to $50 than $40. Why is that? One reason is the taxes and fees that can't be avoided. Before you sign your contract, ask your carrier for an estimate of your actual bill, with taxes and fees included, so you'll have a better idea of how much you'll really be paying each month.

Not all of the "fees" on your cell phone bill are mandatory, and you should be on the lookout for any services that you didn't authorize. You may find yourself charged for cell phone insurance or a music service you don't need. And if you don't need them, you certainly don't want to pay for them. Ask up front about any of these additional services, and authorize only the ones you want to use.

One of the best ways to save money on a cellular plan is to only pay for as many minutes as you need. If you're not a frequent caller, you may not need to opt for the unlimited calling plan. But you should make sure you're paying for at least as many minutes as you plan to use each month, because going over your allotment can cost you a whole lot. You'll be charged a per-minute rate, which can be sky high, for each additional minute you use. Find out what that rate is, and do your best to avoid paying it. Bumping your plan up to the next level might be more beneficial.

If you use your phone for messaging or surfing the Web, you also should purchase an adequate messaging and data plan. If you're a frequent texter, for example, you'll want to make sure your messaging plan has you covered -- otherwise you could be charged on a per-message basis, which can quickly add up. And remember that you can be charged for incoming texts, sent from well-meaning friends and colleagues, if you don't have a texting plan. So make sure you're covered.

You also should make sure that the data plan you select meets your needs; if you go over your data allotment, you can end up paying a pretty penny for every megabyte of data you upload or download.

If you don't opt for an unlimited calling plan, your carrier may offer you unlimited calls at certain times of the day or week. Some offer free nighttime calling, for example, while others offer free weekends. Before you start dialing your friends, though, make sure you know when those nights and weekends start. Some carriers consider anything after 7pm nighttime, while others don't turn the meters off until 9pm.

Roaming charges, which are incurred when you venture outside of your carrier's regular service area, are becoming less likely today, as more and more people opt for national calling plans. But if you opt for a cheaper regional calling plan, you could get hit with a hefty roaming charge if you travel with your phone. Find out what constitutes your calling area, and what you'll be charged if you venture outside of it.

Traveling internationally with your phone can be an expensive proposition -- but that's only if you're phone will work overseas. Not all carriers offer service that is compatible with the technologies used in other countries. And even if they do, you're likely to find that any calls you make or receive overseas are very, very pricey. If you're a frequent flier, ask about your international calling options.

While you may be satisfied with your shiny new cell phone right now, remember that you're not always going to feel that way. It may lose its appeal before your service contract is up, or it may get lost or broken. Find out what options you have for upgrading or replacing your phone, and what kind of fees you'll be charged in those situations.

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HSPA+ Definition

Definition:

HSPA+ is an enhanced version of high-speed 3G wireless networks. Because it is so closely related to 3G and is not a new, built-from-the ground-up technology, HSPA+ has been called a 3.5G network instead of a true 4G network. But HSPA+ networks are capable of delivering 4G speeds, with download speeds between 5 megabits per second and 8 mbps.

AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile both offer HSPA+ service.

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iPhone Retailers

Thinking about purchasing an iPhone? Here's a list of the places you can go--online or in person--to make your purchase.

Apple Store: You can start your purchase online, but you'll need to finish it at a retail store. The online store will walk you through the beginning of the purchase process. It asks you a series of questions to set up your account with AT&T--which is a requirement for using an iPhone. (If you're already an AT&T customer looking to upgrade to an iPhone or add an additional line to your account, you can do that here, too.)

After entering your basic information, you'll select a rate plan for your phone. An iPhone data plan is $30 per month for unlimited data; that's the only option available. You do get a choice of text messaging plans, though: For 200 messages, you pay $5 per month. For a detailed explanation of the iPhone's monthly plans, see AT&T's Service Plans for the iPhone 3G.

After reviewing the plan you've chosen, Apple's site presents you with a list of nearby retail stores where you can go in and pick up your phone. If you'd like, you can set up an appointment to pick up your phone at a certain retail store, or you can opt not to be restricted to a certain store and time.

Apple stores offer three iPhone 3G models: A $199 8GB black model, or a $299 16GB model in black or white (when signing a two-year service contract with AT&T). Note that the site does not ask you which model you'd like to purchase. You can select a phone when you get to the store, but the site does warn you that your preferred model and color may not be in stock.

AT&T: Unlike the Apple store, AT&T lets you complete your entire iPhone 3G purchase online. You are limited to purchasing one iPhone online per household, though. At AT&T's site, you can select which iPhone you'd like: the $199 8GB black model, or the $299 16GB model in black or white. (You may also find some refurbished iPhones available at a discount.) You also can select your voice and text messaging plans, plus you'll need to sign up for the required $30-per-month unlimited data plan.

AT&T offers free two-day shipping on iPhone 3G orders; once you've received the phone, you'll need to connect it to a computer that has iTunes installed in order to activate it.

Best Buy: Best Buy does not offer the iPhone 3G online; the phone is available only in Best Buy retail stores that include a Mobile department. You can find a list of Best Buy stores that sell mobile phones at BestBuy.com. The entire purchase process will be handled in the store. Like AT&T, Best Buy offers the $199 8GB black model, or the $299 16GB model in black or white, plus an assortment of refurbished iPhones at a discount. All of these prices require a two-year AT&T service contract.

Walmart: Walmart also sells the iPhone 3G, but don't expect the discount retailer to offer a discount price: Walmart's iPhones are only $2 cheaper than other retailers charge for the same models. That means you'll pay $297 for the 16GB model (white or black) or $197 for the 8GB version (black only). Walmart does not sell the iPhone online; you can only purchase it in stores.

These four retailers are the only authorized sellers of new and refurbished iPhones. They all require that you sign a two-year service contract with AT&T to get these subsidized prices on the phone. You will find a slew of retailers claiming to see unlocked iPhones--those not tied to AT&T--online, but you should be very careful before purchasing such a phone. You'll need to do a bit of work to the phone to get it to make calls and access the Internet, plus the phones can be expensive ($600 or more), and you may be left with little recourse if it doesn't work.

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iPhone Handset Price

Wondering how much you'll pay to get a shiny new iPhone 3G? Here what you can expect to pay to get your hands on Apple's slick smartphone.

The iPhone 3G is available from four authorized retailers: Apple, AT&T, Best Buy, and Walmart. All of them, except Walmart, charge the same price for the various iPhone models. (Walmart's prices are $2 cheaper.) All of these prices require that you sign a new two-year service contract with AT&T; existing AT&T customers who are eligible for an upgrade will get these prices, too.

8GB iPhone 3G (Black): $19916GB iPhone 3G (Black): $29916GB iPhone 3G (White): $299

AT&T subscribers who are not yet eligible for a handset upgrade will be charged the following prices:

8GB iPhone 3G (Black): $39916GB iPhone 3G (Black): $49916GB iPhone 3G (White): $499

All existing AT&T customers will be charged an upgrade fee of $18, whether or not they are eligible for the discounted prices.

View the original article here

4G Wireless Primer

4G wireless has gotten plenty of hype recently, thanks to the launch of 4G networks from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless, as well as the launch of the 4G-capable smartphones, like the HTC EVO 4G and the Samsung Epic 4G.

Despite all of the hype, 4G is a technology that's still in its infancy and is not yet widely available or well-understood. Here's a complete guide to 4G technology to help you learn everything you need to know about this high-speed wireless service.

4G is the term used to describe the fourth-generation of wireless service. 3G, or third-generation, networks, currently offer the most widely available high-speed wireless service. But more 4G services are becoming available, promising faster speeds.

4G wireless is supposed to deliver service that is anywhere from four to ten times faster than 3G networks. But not all 4G service is the same, and speeds can vary -- especially when you're using 4G service in the real world.

As of this writing (April 2011), all of the four nationwide cellular carriers offer some form of 4G wireless service. Find out who is offering it, and where you can access 4G wireless.

Just because your carrier is offering 4G service, that doesn't mean your existing phone will run on the network. Chances are, you'll need a new phone to take advantage of 4G speeds, as only a few handsets currently support 4G service.

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Smartphone Defined

Definition:

A smartphone is a device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds features that you might find on a personal digital assistant or a computer. A smartphone also offers the ability to send and receive e-mail and edit Office documents, for example.

While there is no standard definition of the term "smartphone" across the industry, there are a few features that you'll find on every smartphone. Here's a list:

Operating System: A smartphone will be based on an operating system that allows it to run productivity applications, such as the BlackBerry OS, the Palm OS, or Windows Mobile.

Software: A smartphone will offer more than just an address book. It may allow you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents or manage your finances.

Web Access: A smartphones offer some sort of access to the Internet. You can use your smartphone to browse your favorite Web sites.

QWERTY Keyboard: A smartphone includes a QWERTY keyboard, so the keys are laid out in the same manner they would be on your computer keyboard.

Messaging: All cell phones can send and receive text messages, but what sets a smartphone apart is its ability to send and receive e-mail. Some smartphones can support multiple e-mail accounts. Others include access to the popular instant messaging services, like AOL's AIM and Yahoo! Messenger.

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