$79 iPhone 3G! AT&T Discounting Refurbs (Again)
Now don’t get too excited, the iPhone 3GS is not being discounted by AT&T. But if you are in the market for a excellent smart phone at a great entry level price, AT&T has the deal for you.
It looks like AT&T is trying to push the iPhone 3G’s out the door as they have just lowered the price of 8 GB and 16 GB phones to $79.99 and $129.99 respectively, with a two-year contract. Both white and black models are currently available while the discount lasts. Before you jump on this deal, keep in mind of the following:
Refurbished Phones and Devices Refurbished phones are previously owned devices that have been unused or lightly used and returned during the 30-day trial period. Each refurbished phone is independently quality tested and loaded with the latest software to meet current factory standards. Some refurbished iPhone 3G devices will have minor scratches. Refurbished iPhone 3G devices carry a warranty of 90 days or more. For details about the warranty on your refurbished iPhone 3G go to www.apple.com/support/oss/.
So if you are okay with the above and you want an iPhone at a great low price, jump all over this one – there is no telling how long it will last!
[Thank to everyone who sent this in!]
July 10th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Does a two-year contract apply?
July 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Yes alex
July 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Shouldn’t you just pony up the extra 20 bucks and get it new?..
July 10th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Nobody should be afraid of AT&T refurbished phones. They are almost always like brand new.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I got a 16gb 3G refurb at the beginning of May. The thing was flawless and I saved lots of money. Then I sold it less than 2 mos. later with almost a yr. left on the warranty for $375 and bought the 3GS. AT&T refurbs are generally in like new state.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
$20 off is not worth getting a used iPhone with the potential for “minor scratches”. I would rather put my own scratches on it for $20 more. At least that way I would know how the scratches were made. Maybe they should offer longer warranty on these.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
@BrianA
I can tell you from first hand experience I’ve never had a scratch on any of my AT&T refurb phones.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Just so everyone is aware, the quoted text in the post is direct from AT&T’s site. While most of the refurbs should be clear of scratches and other marks, don’t be surprised if you do get one with marks. I’ve personally never purchased a refurbished device but I have heard from people who have had good luck and bad luck while doing so.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I’ve never bought a refurbished phone. I’m pretty sure that 80% are in brand new condition because the day I got my 3g S I seen 10 differnt people that just signed up with AT&T exchanging their 3g that they owned for just a couple of days that were still brand new.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
If you go pick up your Refurb in person, the counter person MAY let you look at it and ask nicely if a different one is available if you find a scratch.
Of course if you are a jerk about it all bets are off.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
People, do yourselves a favor. If you are going to enter a 2-year commitment for a $70+ per month data+voice plan, pony up a little extra cash up front and get the good hardware. Get a 3GS. Don’t waste your time with a 3G, new or used. The 3G may be good, but the 3GS is SO much faster, and the extra features don’t hurt either.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
@ Bill
The 3g is perfectly fine and even better than the 3gs when jailbroken. It is also cheaper and considering there will be a new Iphone next summer I would say that getting a 3gs is pretty much a waste especially for current 3g owners.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Even at $80 you will be doing yourself a favor to get the 3GS. Who is going to be willing to spend $2600 (two years of iphone plus $100 per month in service) but not $2530 (refurb 16gb 3G plus $100 per month in service)? That just seems silly to me when the 3GS is going to offer you huge hardware upgrades plus new camera and compass functionality. You’d be doing yourself a disservice to buy a 3G at this point, especially if it were a referb.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
@ Truth
How is it better than the 3GS when jailbroken? A jailbreak is available for the 3GS now. By the way I just upgraded from the 3G to the 3GS, and I don’t regret it one bit. The speed increase is substantial. Maybe for a light user of the iPhone it wouldn’t make much of a difference, but for power users it’s WELL worth the extra money.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Bill speaks the truth.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I wonder if you can buy a refurbished phone as a replacement for a broken iphone not under warranty? If you already have an apple/iphone contract and your glass cracks/chips a replacement screen costs $199. Why not just buy a refurb phone for $79, unless it’s not possible…
July 10th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
@ Bill
Read what I said again. I said a 3g jailbroken is better than a 3gs. I said nothing about a jailbroken 3gs.
And by Power User what do you mean by that? Switching from Camera to SMS and Email faster?
July 10th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
@Kelly no you can’t do that.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I bought a refurbished 8GB 3g for $99 (discounted from $199) back in March before the 3gs came out. It was like new, pristine, w/o a scratch on, it and works great. It became my wife’s when she got me the 3gs for father’s day. She loves it.
August 14th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
There’s nothing better about a 3gS than an unlocked 3g.