The red hot rumor going around this hour—there will be a new rumor before lunchtime, such is our attention span—is that Apple will launch a $99 iPhone at WWDC next week. One of those highly paid analyst types said such a move, that is, a $100 price cut for the lowest end model, would increase demand by 100 percent. It’s not clear how dumbed down this cheap-o iPhone would be, if it’s even real, so it’s hard to say whether or not it’d still be “iPhone” enough to make it worth your while. But let’s assume, for the purposes of this post, that it is, indeed, “iPhone” enough, even at the low, low price of $100. Is that cheap enough to get you to buy one?
I’ll just get my own opinion out there right now: no, probably not. I’ve heard too stories of just how garbage AT&T service really is, and I’m one of those crazy people who still like to be able to talk on this thing called a cellphone; reading Yelp at the bus station isn’t worth a monthly contract. Plus, the iPhone isn’t exactly shiny and new anymore, so any sort of “wow, neat” feeling dissipated some time ago. But that’s just me.
If demand is expected to jump by 100 percent, then surely some of you would find yourself standing in line for the phone. Stand up and be counted!
That said, I guess I question the very premise to begin with. If you’re prepared to spend $80 a month on an AT&T contract, what difference does it make if you buy an iPhone for $200 vs. $100? People with no interest in paying that much for a phone, no matter how fancy it is, aren’t magically going to be interested in committing to handing over AT&T all that money because you’ve knocked $100 off the price.
How about $100 iphone with JUST a data plan so I can keep my superior Verizon cellular service
nope my service plan with sprint is unmatched. No other provider can come close to my monthly bill. However tht being said I would be interested in knowing if an iphone could be used solely as an mp3 player? My buddy is trying to sell me his old iphone for $100 and its an 8GB model. I am interested in buying it if I can use it solely as an mp3 player. If nayone knows the answer to this please share.
oh nice one data plan would be cool but then again it has wifi right id just use it on my router at home.
Yeah, the cost of the device isn’t holding people back, it’s that monthly rate. If data was $10/month, I have no doubt that lots of people would be going out and buying iPhones.
Exactly. It’s not the price of the phone keeping me from buying it; it is the cost of the data plan.
Exactly.
It’s not the price of the phone keeping me from buying it; it is the cost of the data plan.
If there is a 100.00 iPhone then it will be a 4GB or 8GB as the rumors say that have been floating around… I wouldn’t buy the 4 or 8GB version but it will be nice for people who are looking to save a few bucks.. Guess we’ll see Monday…
I love all of the talk about a new iPhone. Wake up people there is no new iPhone coming on Monday. There will be a new item in the Apple lineup though. iPhone video is still 4-6 months away and this is from a direct source. You will get your 3.0 SDK.
lmao yeah, okay. Provide a name, email, anything that would actually make you seem to be a “direct source.”
because for right now, I’m going to believe Mr. WSJ. New hardware will definitely be unveiled next week and available within a month
wow ur an idiot 4-6 months away?
mentally retarded tard u are…
the iphone 3g s came out june 17th and it included video recording…
and from a direct source? ur idiotic moron…
it’s really sad how you have no clue what your talking about you imbosile.
Its never been a price issue for me, its about AT&T and my reliance on email. Thus, I am a Blackberry guy and I’d spend up to $500 for the ‘right’ phone.
lol calling the blackberry the right phone is a joke.
Apparently someone has never owned a Blackberry phone before. The Storm isn’t the only Blackberry, you know. It is however, the only bad Blackberry.
agreed
I too will not spend the extra for the plan. If i could get an iphone without having to spend over $50 per month for the plan then sign me up.
Jeff your comment is very ambitious , fuckin prick
What the hell’s wrong with you?
Welcome to the Internet. It rarely makes sense and people lash out like its Free Twinkie Friday.
Nope. It’s still not “Verizon enough” to get me to buy it.
Yep, I’m loving my Unlimited Texting, Unlimited Pixing, Unlimited Flixing, Unlimited Mobile Web 2.0, Unlimited Data Usage and Personal Email. I must be paying a ton, right? I’m paying $34.99 a month, actually. The catch is that my voice per minute rate is $0.40 – not that I ever use it, so meh.
All on the best network out there with the most bars anywhere you go. I’m quite happy. ^_^
They should really do that for the iPhone though. I would snatch one up IN A HEARTBEAT.
I agree!!! I would love an iPhone with only an unlimited data plan. Then I might consider giving AT&T some more of my business
I am a bit perplexed. I have AT&T and i have a data plan and you guys are all saying its wicked expensive i have friends on verizon and sprint with the same kind of unlimited data plan that i have and they are all very similar in price.
Am i missing something here?
its people that don’t have data plans at all that are saying its too expensive. these people don’t want to pay $30 a month on any of the networks for data, since that’s a pretty hefty price tag.
its one thing if you could atleast tether with the iphone, but right now, you can’t.
You’re missing their irrational, relentless bitterness.
We are talking about data plans in general. Most people are not willing to spend the extra costs involved with data plans. They add an extra $30/mo to a phone service. That is a lot of money when you consider the costs of all your other bills and mortgage. Sure, for a college kid that is splitting their utilities with 2 other friends, this isn’t an issue. But, for home owners and families that are saving for their kids education and/or retirement, every penny counts.
You are right, the AT&T iPhone data plan is pretty reasonable compared to others.
How is thirty dollars on AT&T any more reasonable than thirty dollars on Verizon?
I’m with Sprint and pay $15 for unlimited data…another $15 for unlimited text. AT&T is $30 for unlimited data only.
Actually you are wrong. AT&T is $30 for unlimited data and messanging.
https://www.wireless.att.com/olam/showFeatureDetails.olamexecute?selectedFtrSoc=MSGD
I actually pay 20 bucks for my unlimited data and texts with t mobile
Hmm.. if they paid me $100 then maybe I’ll think about chaining myself to wish of S. Jobs and Apple engineers.
Will this $99 version include a Safari that doesn’t crash every few minutes, and a battery that makes it at least through my lunch break?
Like many others, the cost of the phone is irrelevant, it’s the cost of the plan. I don’t need much from a mobile phone so I’m able to get away with $10/month. Going to the iPhone would automatically mean a much more expensive voice plan I don’t need plus a data plan. It’s just too much money for me.
This is all very amazing to me. Look at all of the people fighting to either buy a $200 phone that will cost you at least $80/month (Pre w/ $69 SE plan + tax) or to buy a $100 phone what will cost you at least $100/month (iPhone with AT&T iPhone plan + texts).
Does this sound ridiculous to anyone but me?
I know the iPhone is great. 20 something million people believe that, and have to to justify their purchase. Blackberries are great too, yet you don’t hear about all of this craziness surrounding them even though those phone also make you pay extra per month.
Oddly enough, in all of the reviews I’ve read – I have yet to hear about people talking about the call quality. Could you imagine….? You spent 10 hours waiting in line for X phone with Y service and you don’t even know how it works for making calls. They should stop calling these phones and call them something else because phone implies that people will be speaking to each other with the microphone and receiver.
This isn’t just a rant, I’m just trying to help everyone else come to terms with all of this “buzz.” When my Q9c dies, and I have to get a new phone I’ll probably have to pay more than the $35/month I pay for my cell phone service and data plan. I just don’t get why everyone is so excited to pay more. What’s next….people lining up for Comcast to charge them extra for a TV service that can do magic aside from helping them watch TV?
From the looks of the comments on all of these websites, it looks like it isn’t too far away from something like that happening.
You guys are all a bunch of cheap bastards (except the the Alex guy). If you can’t afford the phone or the plan, then don’t knock it. Continue to use your unusable clumsy Crackberry with your sub par and overly priced data/voice plans. I get people all day asking to USE and SEE my iPhone and think it’s the T*ts McGee, but they are all locked into their ridiculously priced plans from Sprint, Verizon, etc.. Does it make you feel bad because you really want an iPhone but it’s too late and you’re afraid people will think your a bandwagon fanboy follower now? I do.
I decided.
Are you implying that i am a college kid? I can tell you that i am not and i have my OWN mortgage that i pay along with other bills. To me it doesn’t seem that steep for UNLIMITED DATA!!!!
Thank you
Cost of the plan doesnt bother me. I already pay for unlimited everything with my Tilt. I bought the iphone on a whim and even if it hadnt died on me 27 days later (had 30 days to return it and i did) i would have returned it anyway, due to safari constantly quitting, the battery needing to be charged 3 times a day at work AND the horribly pixelated youtube videos. You couldnt give me an iphone today.
i would buy one if i could use it as an itouch, meaning not sign up for any phone service…
Arron the “Thank you” was for you the other bit was for the guy whining about bills
I would like an iPhone….I just hate AT&T *shrugs shoulders*
until the iphone is available with verizon service, i’ll be sitting on the sidelines.
I Would buy it, unlock it and use it on T-mobile for $50 a month. If I need to use the internet I can go use free wifi somewhere. I want it for all the apps. Mainly, wikipedia on my phone, financial programs to track my spending and health programs to track what I eat.
Tom, I have to piggyback off you here, I too am a T Mobile customer, and am not gonna change that. I pay $90 per month for 2 phones on an unlimited plan. Add the unlimited the $25 data plan and another $5 for 400 (all of which is currently on my plan) and the iPhone- unlocked naturally- works for me. I want the apps, sure we have the G1, but I think it’s a joke in comparison to the Phone, as it is kinda lacking.
Once you get handheld internet you can’t let go. MY iPhone saves me $20 a month with its web —YMMV. iPhone WAS the first usable handheld web device.
I paid $2500 for the POS GPS in my wife’s Jag and $2500 for one in my Honda. Recently my Honda drew a blank… but iPhone guided me with it’s street map function! I can’t wait until turn by turn moving map comes out in iPhone 3.0. I can afford the data plan as my next two cars will NOT NEED GPS.
It is not the phone price, but the contract price. The $100 price drop is a non factor.
Sweet dreaming trying to purchase a brand new iPhone for $99. Maybe that will be your monthly payments.