Here is some information that I have gathered about the second generation iphone. A quick question and answer post.
If I have an Iphone already do I have to sign a new contract to get the 3G?
The answer is yes, if you want to upgrade, you will need to sign a new contract. You will pay $199 for the 8 GB and $299 for the 16 GB.
Will I finally be able to replace the battery on my new Apple Iphone?
Once again you will not be able to replace your battery if you need to. Well there are ways to do it if you have the confidence to crack it open. But it is not for the weak at heart if you attempt it.
Will the Iphone have picture messaging?
Unless you do it via your email client, the answer is no. But hey just do it through your email. Yeah you’re right, that is kind of sucky.
Will the Apple Iphone ever be available for another carrier besides AT&T?
Before 2012, um no. Sorry.
And now the biggie. Will I be able to purchase this cell phone with out a contract?
The answer to this answer especially saddens me, but no you will not. Whether you purchase it at AT&T or the Apple Store you must get it activated for service. Now this is interesting because I am curious to see how this will affect the segment of the country that had an unlocked iphone. About roughly 25% of the iphones sold here in the US were being used for the T-Mobile network.
I guess in theory, someone could buy the new Iphone, activate, then cancel their contract during the 14 day trial period, then get the iphone unlocked for T-Mobile, or sell it someone else. I do know that Apple and AT&T both have a vested interest in making sure that those phones stay locked.
Also I forgot to mention that the data plans for the 3G will increase $10 extra a month. So despite the fact that AT&T is eating $200 of the cost of the iphone, they will make a total of about $30 extra on the back end. I will continue to post updates as I get them.
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Update June 9, 2008: Apple announced today that the Apple Iphone has been pushed back to July 11, 2008.
The new Apple Iphone release date has been announced! It will correspond with the one year anniversary of the wildly successful initial Iphone launch. (edit: I somehow forgot to add the date initially! The date for the new Iphone release is June 27, 2008 as of right now.) This phone version will be ready to run on AT&T’s much faster 3G network. Allowing for faster internet speeds. Also according to sources, a few weeks prior to the release of the new Apple Iphone, Apple will remove all remaining stock from the market to help boost demand.
These new Iphones will be available in 8 gigabytes and 16 gigabytes. Now here is the best news. In an effort to help boost demand, AT&T will be footing $200 of the cost. What does this mean? This means that instead of paying $399 for the 8 GB Iphone or $499 for the 16 GB, you will only have to pay $199 or $299 respectively. This deal will only be available for those who are signing NEW two year contracts with AT&T. This offer WILL NOT be available at the Apple Stores. At least not as of right now.
My two cents
While I am happy about the price dropping on anything, at my store the number one requested phone is the Iphone. Now the last time I saw a demand for a phone was when the original Motorola V3 Razr was first released. It was initially $500. Then the price drops occured and soon everyone had one making it Motorola’s best selling phone of all time. However the market is oversaturated with Motorola Razrs. The same fate awaits the Apple Iphone I am afraid.
Everyone wants one, and soon everyone will be able to afford one. (Not to mention 25% of unlocked Apple Iphones that are on the market.) From a consumer standpoint, that is exciting news as I would never pay more than $150 for a phone. I don’t care what it was but that is just me. Soon the Apple Iphone will hit mainstream status, then no one will want it anymore. Maybe. The thing about Steve Jobs, and Apple, he just may find a way to keep everyone coming back for more.