Broken iphone can I just buy new onw from ATT?

**Dranon** · 12-28-2008, 10:34 AM

Dilemma... If my iphone is broken/lost can i just go get a new one? Full price I'm sure but whaty about the contract thing?? So if I can what is to stop me from getting an iphone on contract going back 1 month later saying I lost it, gettin the replacement and putting the sim in from one of my other phones??? I want an iphone BUT I dont need the internet/data plan for $30/month. My wife has an iphone and a data plan OK for her, so what if i just go to the store and say hers is broken and just another cant I just put my sim in the new one and it works?

**cpjr** · 12-28-2008, 10:38 AM

Naw, if your not eligible for an "upgrade" (your contract is up) then you cant just go buy one.

You have to sign a 2year contract to purchase the iphone. And they dont care if its broke or stolen.

**Dranon** · 12-28-2008, 10:58 AM

So I have a 2 year contract and no phone?? ANY other contract and the phone is lost or broken I just put the sim in any phone or just buy a new phone at full price.

**cpjr** · 12-28-2008, 11:11 AM

Yeah iphones are different....in a bad way. You can call and ask ATT but I doubt they would help you.

**Dranon** · 12-28-2008, 11:23 AM

So I guess they just expect you to pay out the contract with no phone? Or is there an early termination fee. This seems just carazy huh!

**cpjr** · 12-28-2008, 11:25 AM

Its just that there is no "Insurance" offered for the iphone. Which is dumb.

There is an early termination fee...I think $175.

Give em a call, cant hurt.

**Dranon** · 12-29-2008, 03:47 AM

OK So I found out that they will sell me a new one $299/399. What they told me was that the phone has the internet "always on" so if i did not have a data plan my bill would be sky hi. I'm sure there is a way to turn this off, right?
Getting an iphone this way is a lot cheaper than ebay.
So how do I make sure the web can only be used when I am on wi-fi?

**Imahottguy** · 12-29-2008, 06:47 AM

SBSettings. Just shut off the EDGE and/or 3G. This would ensure that the only internet that you use is via WiFi. This is how I have my Fiance's 1G iPhone. BTW, you saved me a phone call to AT&T about buying an iPhone when ineligable for an upgrade.

**effyezall** · 12-29-2008, 10:14 AM

If you have an Apple store in your area, make a Genius Bar appointment. They can get you set up with a replacement phone without extending the contract. Depending on your situation, you'll pay either the subsidized price ($199- 8GB/$299- 16GB) or the full retail price ($399/$499) if it's a 3G. If it's a first-gen, the 4GB and 8GB versions are $199 (yes, 4GB & 8GB are the same price), and the 16GB is (I think) $299.