[macone87]

Does anyone else feel like a huge sucker for buying an iphone 3G for $200 with a 2yr contract? I did six weeks ago. Because after this mornings WWDC comments, I feel like an idiot for not waiting for the 3GS. It looks like I'm stuck with this outdated phone for 2years and will probably never get my hands on a 3GS. Hey Apple!!!!! THROW US A BONE AND OFFER A TRADE IN FOR 3G OWNERS!!!!!! I'm so frustrated right now I'm about to throw my phone through the window!!

-Another Moron

a day late and $200 short

[TitanTiger]

1. Do you not read any Apple-centric websites? They've been rumoring big iPhone changes for 3 months solid coming at WWDC.

2. Have you considered unlocking and jailbreaking it and putting it on eBay? Those things are going for over $500-600.

[smax013]

Not that this helps you, but this is standard for cell phones. If you had just bought a new Palm Treo 755p on the Sprint system a couple months ago, you would also be stuck with it and not be able to upgrade to a Palm Pre for the cheaper price. This is the price we pay for having subsidized phones here in the US. If you do not want to be "locked" into a phone, then buy without the contract...but you will end up paying more as the phone company will not be guaranteed of recouping the money they put into subsidizing the phone.

I have dealt with this for years. When I wanted to upgrade from my Treo 300 to a Treo 650, I had to wait until I had the Treo 300 long enough before I could get the subsidized price again. The same was true the last time when I went from my Treo 650 to my current Treo 755p about two years ago. And I am at the point now where I can get the Palm Pre for the subsidized price if that is the route I choose to go (or go with an iPhone) when I am ready to upgrade.

You have to keep in mind that from AT&T's perspective, they are ONLY offering the $200 phone price because they can recoup the cost of subsidizing the price over the period of the contract. While you might sign another 2 year contract to get the new iPhone, that is not the point...the point is that they most likely have not recouped the cost of subsidizing the FIRST iPhone you bought and they would be adding the need to recoup the cost of new iPhone.