Extra $5 for 200 text messages on iPhone 3G???

[scottdoc]

I havent seen much talk on this but...

My current AT&T iphone plan costs $20 for unlimited data and 200 text messages. I understand that the 3G plan will cost $30. But I dont know if the new 3G plan will include 200 text messages like the current plan does. I have seen a price of $5 to add 200 text messages. So... Does this mean that changing to the new iphone 3G from the original iphone and keeping 200 text messages will cost an extra $15/month, not the previosly advertised $10 extra month? Lets see.... $15 * 24 = $360 over two years....

-Scott

[Bad Ash]

200 = $5 1500 = $15 Unlimited = $20

Please check out this thread for more info.

http://forum.theiphoneblog.com/apple...-7-7-08-a.html

*Please excuse my mistake on the 1500 text plan on being off $5... *

[iLoveiPhones]

I think the Blackberry's plan is the same. I would pay for data/voice/text for the iPhone over Blackberry's any day.

[wingfan]

Originally Posted by iLoveiPhones

I think the Blackberry's plan is the same. I would pay for data/voice/text for the iPhone over Blackberry's any day.

It is the same, it's what I pay now for my Curve...

[scottdoc]

So.... yet another hidden cost. I am surprised there isnt much talk of this. Makes the "reduced" price of an iphone 3G seem less attractive to an upgrader. Cost of upgrade over 2 years = $200 (phone) + $360 (3G data plan + 200 text meassages) = $560 (200 messages used to be included). $560 for GPS and 3G for 2 years? Thats over $23 a month extra for GPS and 3G (and a plastic back for the phone and shorter battery life). Worth it? I guess it depends on the person, but it is becoming less and less attractive for me. Seems very sneaky to me...

-Scott

[cjvitek]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't consider it a "hidden cost". At least not in the way you do.

All other phone plans require the additional cost for text messaging. I currently have a Treo (and will be getting the new iPhone), and I pay $5 for 200 messages.

The only difference is that previously iPhone users got a break.

Is it a way to make more money for ATT? Absolutely. Could they have continued the plan with $20, including 200 messages? Certainly. But all they are doing is really bringing the iPhone in line with their other smartphones/PDA's.

But as I said, since I am not an existing iPhone user, maybe I have a different outlook. After all, I am going to switch to an iPhone, and my charge for text messages and data are going to remain the same.

Chris

[tony2979]

Originally Posted by scottdoc

So.... yet another hidden cost. I am surprised there isnt much talk of this. Makes the "reduced" price of an iphone 3G seem less attractive to an upgrader. Cost of upgrade over 2 years = $200 (phone) + $360 (3G data plan + 200 text meassages) = $560 (200 messages used to be included). $560 for GPS and 3G for 2 years? Thats over $23 a month extra for GPS and 3G (and a plastic back for the phone and shorter battery life). Worth it? I guess it depends on the person, but it is becoming less and less attractive for me. Seems very sneaky to me...

-Scott

Scott....I have been thinking about this, and I think I have a way that you can resolve the issue that you have and really stick it to AT&T at the same time.

You might consider not buying the phone.

[dloveprod]

That price is outrageous, with sprint text is included with their every 69.99 plan, but if that's what it cost for me and my iphone to be together, I will just cut back on cable to make up the difference. Get rid of dvr and use media center to record tv shows.

[Kupe]

Originally Posted by scottdoc

So.... yet another hidden cost.

If, by "hidden cost," you mean "standard cost," then you're right.

[scottdoc]

Originally Posted by cjvitek

But as I said, since I am not an existing iPhone user, maybe I have a different outlook. After all, I am going to switch to an iPhone, and my charge for text messages and data are going to remain the same.

Chris

Yes, of course. This is the point of my post, to weigh additional costs vs features for someone who is upgrading from the original iPhone.