AT&T 8GB 3G iPhone $199 new customers or $399 existing

My iPhone will not be the only one that’s been getting text messages explaining Apple will contact me with details of updating soon for the July 11 launch but in the last few moments today, AT&T have revealed the 3G iPhone prices. This new price information may upset some existing AT&T customers.

First of all things look straightforward with the 8GB iPhone 3G costing $199 and 16GB for $399 if customers sign up for a two-year contract, but then you find out that this price is for “new customers and current iPhone owners”. Now what about the many existing AT&T customers that don’t own an iPhone and as such are not eligible for upgrade discounts?

These existing AT&T customers will be charged $399 for the same device that costs $199 to the others; surely this will not make some people happy. The 16GB version will cost these customers $499. Today also saw AT&T reveal voice and data plans.

The contract-free option that many phone buyers use is not yet available for the iPhone 3G, although AT&T said they will be offering this no contract option in the future. The price will be $699 for the 16GB 3G iPhone and $599 for the 8GB version. If you are a current AT&T customer that wants to upgrade to the new iPhone then you will be charged an $18 upgrade fee.

All new customers will pay the standard activation fee; we believe this is around $36. The price plans will be the same as AT&T Nation plans; these include a combination of unlimited data transfer and free minutes. The unlimited plan will cost $129.99 a month and the cheapest plan available costs $69.99 per month for 5,000 night and weekend minutes, and with 450 anytime minutes.

View the full details on Phones Review.