As we near the release of the Apple iPhone, on June 29th at 6pm, it is seeming increasingly likely that, contrary to previous reports, it will not be required to initiate a 2 year contract with AT&T in order to purchase the iPhone.
Of the 15 Apple retail stores we surveyed today, each one reported no knowledge of their store handling proof of wireless service, contract establishment, or contract extensions with AT&T. More to the point, 6 of the stores specifically stated that no contract would be required to buy the phone, and that the customer would be responsible for establishing service with AT&T after purchasing the iPhone from an Apple retail store.
No only does this likely squelch rumors about through-the-roof non-contract prices for the iPhone (previously rumored to be as high as $899 and $999), but it introduces a new segment of demand to the iPhone launch: opportunistic buyers that have no plans for personal use of the iPhone, only resale at a higher price. As we've seen in recent months with the launch of the Playstation 3 and the Ninetendo Wii, large volumes of iPhones could be bought up by "entrepreneurs" looking to make a fast buck on the upcoming iPhone frenzy.
Clearly the possibility exists that Apple has continued to withhold details about contract requirements from employees at it's own retail outlets as part of an effort to contain as much information about the iPhone prior to launch. Should that be the case, information provided to iPhoneFAQ may be a result of assumptions on the part of these employees due to lack of information, rather than clear indication from Apple that no contract would be required. However, that said, most of the salespeople and managers we spoke with indicated clear knowledge of the no-contract policy. As with everything iPhone, only time will tell.
According to AT&T, purchasing the Apple iPhone at AT&T retail outlets will require a contract with AT&T.
Getting an Apple iPhone? We've got you covered. Find out how.
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You must be kidding, right? Of course the iPhone will require a contract with AT&T! Quit deluding yourself...
mr smith i am a at&t rep. u can buy the iphone n jus throw in ur sim card and not touch ur at&t contract
I spoke with my local Apple store (Providence, RI) and they confirmed no contract will be needed to buy the iPhone.
And, Mr Smith - the article says that no contract will be required to BUY the iPhone. It is clear that a contract with AT&T will still be required to USE the iPhone.
A contract will be required if you purchase your phone from Cingular. If you purchase your phone from Apple no contract is required. However, the phone does not work with any other service provider, unless your lucky enough to get an unlocked one, which is highly unlikely! And this people is the hard core truth.
So for those looking for shorter lines, the best bet might be to head to an AT&T store, since there wont be "entrepreneurs" looking to ebay their phones, instead only folks who are genuinely interested in buying iPhones for their own use.
Yeah, the fact that we're going to have to deal with people trying to resell the phones is a real downside to the Apple stores not requiring contracts. It stinks, in fact.
This does not squelch the rumors about through-the-roof non-contract prices for the iPhone. There is also the possibility that although you can buy the phone without a contract, there will be a rebate to get the price down to $499/599 with a contract. Steve said those prices were with a contract. So, maybe the store will sell them at a higher price without a contract, then if you activate with Cingular you get the rebate to account for the difference.
Also the phone still has many other functions even if it's not activated as a phone.
the iphone doesn't have anything that a PSP doesn't have except multi-touch. PSP has full internet even the ability to download files, even flash support (which the iphone doesn't have), mp3, aac, WMA (not on the iPhone), pics, mp4, h.264, movies via UMD or memory stick, REMOVABLE BATTERY. Plus the PSP only costs $170 70 for 4gb of memory. So for less than half the price you get all the features with the same screen size just no touch screen which I could do without. I thought I heard the PSP played all these cool videos games too but IDK!!
You're forgetting the lack of a phone on the PSP, eh?
i wanna get it but i dont want contract with it
how much will that be?
You MrSmith told that you can change your operator. But I asked that in apple store, and everybody sed, that you can use iphone ONLY with AT&T. This is so strange!!! I wanna bring this iphone to Russia, and I'm actually ready to buy 3 or 4 iphones, by you guys termaneted my dreams. If you not gonna stay in U.S. for long time - forget about iphone. You know, i'll buy NOKIA. They think about people in the all world. Thank you, Apple
Cellular One Just got bought out by AT&T, so this means they will get the IPhone right?
In Other Europian countries and Asia u can get a iphone without contract they dont have fucking At&t over and so can u over here At&t jus wanna rip u off by sighning a 2 year deal
Thats not true mate, in European contries souch as England and Ireland you have to sign up for an 18month O2 contract...
I can confirm previous posters point.
Here in Ireland , you have to sign up to an 18 month 02 contract
The price for the basic 8gb model is 399 euro / 629 dollars
If you take 02's basic tariff for the set 18 mths it will cost you 815 euros / 1286 dollars
So for a basic iphone in ireland on a basic contract the total cost is 1214 / 1916 dollars assuming you stick to the tariffs messaging / data restrictions for every month of the 18 month contract
A colleague of mine bought his Iphone 8gb model in 2007 in the apple store in NYC He did not get the AT&T contract although the sim card was in the phone when he brought it home to ireland. Another colleague unlocked the Iphone for him and he is now using it on Vodafone network in ireland.