User:JCDenton2052/mh1

History of the iPhone/iPhone 3G pricing controversy
The iPhone 3G will be released on July 11, 2008, available in the United States exclusively on AT&T Mobility with a two year contract.The 8 GB iPhone 3G will cost US$199 and the 16 GB iPhone 3G will cost US$299, a price drop of US$200 each. However, the consumer data plan will cost US$30 per month, a price increase of US$10. In an interview with Om Malik, AT&T Mobility President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph de la Vega stated that "The SMS messages are not bundled anymore, and you pay for what you want." The voice plan for the first generation iPhone included 200 text messages. AT&T currently charges US$5 per month for 200 text messages. Several sources, including CNet, Engadget, Gizmodo, MacWorld, Time, and Yahoo!, have pointed out that this would be an increase of US$240 to US$360 over the span of the two year contract, which is greater than the US$200 price discount.

On July 1 2008, It was announced that current AT&T customers that are not eligible for upgrade to the 3G iPhone could purchase the device for only US$200 more of the price for either model version (US$399 for 8 GB, US$499 for 16 GB). They will simply add another two years to your contract. AT&T also released that they will sell the 3G iPhone in the United States without a contract, costing the public US$599 for the 8 GB and US$699 for the 16 GB. Apple has not released statements about this move.