14 DAY TRIAL // Apple Discussions is always the place where anyone can get a straight answer, whatever the topic, as long as it's Apple-related. Not this time, though. One poster is very anxious to know whether the original iPhone has been discontinued once the announcement of the new iPhone 3G was made.
"Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere," the guy writes. "When Sir Jobs announced the 3G, I thought it'd be a great time for me to get a 1st gen iPhone. Everyone was bound to go to the 3G, so prices would inevitably drop. I really don't need 3G anyway."
Well, for starters, prices haven't dropped one bit on the original iPhone. Units are being still sold well over their retail price on the black market, and things are likely to stay this way (prices will probably even go higher) as long as the original device remains the only "unlockable" iPhone.
Fellow posters are also aware of the iPhone's current value. William says: "If you can find a 1st generation iPhone, you can buy one, but prices have not dropped from what they were last month or three months ago." He adds that "no one knows what AT&T will do if they still have first generation phones in stock when the 3G iPhone is released."
The topic starter also claims he "can't seem to find the 1st gen anywhere. Apple's store is all about the 3G, and AT&T's site doesn't even mention the old one... not even in plans."
As some of you may remember, it was reported last month that O2 UK featured a notice on its website saying that both of Apple's currently available iPhone models, the 8GB iPhone and the 16GB iPhone, were no longer available for purchase in the respective territory. Sources later confirmed that O2 had filled its shelves back up with 16 gig handsets.
Note that Apple also has some targets to hit, as far as iPhone sales go. Analysts are betting on over a dozen million units sold by the end of 2009. These figures include the old model as well, so Apple is probably not going to discontinue the device just yet.
"I'm sure current users won't be forced to upgrade, and I know I can always pick up a secondhand iPhone, but is it known if AT&T will be accepting new contracts for the 1st gen iPhone when the 3G comes out? Thanks in advance..." the post ends.
To make it clear, Apple, AT&T, or any other mobile network operator cutting themselves a piece of the iPhone pie haven't even hinted at the possibility of offering only 3G iPhones - but yes, they're emphasizing it big time. However, until an official announcement is made, first-gen iPhone units are still expected to surface, even in mobile operators' stores.