‘Tremendous demand’ for free iPhone 3GS, AT&T CEO says

By on Oct 21, 2011 at 11:00 PM
mobile October 21, 2011

During AT&T’s third-quarter earnings call on Thursday, CEO Ralph de la Vega discussed the continued success his company still sees from the iPhone 3GS. ”We have another device that I think is going to dramatically change those people that are on smartphones and quick messaging devices, the 3GS, which is free with a 2-year contract,” de la Vega explained. “We’ve seen tremendous, tremendous demand for that device even though it’s a generation old. And actually, we’re getting more new subscribers coming on to the 3GS on the average than other devices. So we have an inventory sold out on that device.” Pretty impressive for a phone that made its debut in June, 2009. AT&T said it sold a total of 4.8 million smartphones during the third quarter, 2.7 million of which were iPhone activations. After the introduction of the iPhone 4S, Apple announced the 3GS was free with an AT&T contract and that the iPhone 4 would fall to $99 with a contract. 

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  • Adam McDonald

    Other people are getting an older phone for free. How the hell does this warrant any kind of Android comments, or comments about those people’s intelligence? It’s a phone. It’s free. It’s attractive. People are going to gobble it up, no matter if a better model exists; even if it’s ‘only’ a hundred bucks more. It’s a good deal for the, dare I say it to you elitist snobs, average user.

  • Rogerwhyte

    Of course there was. Anyone that wouldn’t is more weird than these people!

  • Kerry Mitchell

    I don´t see why all the hate.  There are some people who just need a phone to send a few emails, browse the web, etc.  What better phone for them than a solid dependable Iphone.  I think this is great.  It speaks loads about Apple in that they can pull this off on an old phone.

    • Anonymous

      Well, it’s pretty simple Google convinced us Goofans (aka Apple Haters) that specs are the most important thing in anything. We are kinda GSheep.

      • Kerry Mitchell

        Agreed.  Its silly, that´s what it is.  This 3Gs is a perfect device for someone making the transition into a smartphone, or who just needs something simple but decent enough to use, and doesn´t know nor could care less about how many Ghz.  I am not an Apple fan boy, I actually use an Andriod phone, but having a preference for Android, doesn´t mean one has to completely hate Apple, and everything it does. And lets be honest all of us who use Android.  Android is not as stable as IOS, and we have lag problems, force close problems, etc etc, but we love Andorid because we like to tinker with stuff and when Android really works, you can do ALOT on it.  But my grandmother, would probably do better with an Iphone 3Gs.  And hey there is a market..

      • Anonymous

        Good stuff. Hats off to a really smart android fan. Seriously.

  • troy boy

    ILOSERS WOULD BUY SHIT ON A STICK IF APPLE TOLD THEM IT WAS COOL

    • Anonymous

      Basically the same if google told a fellow Goofan (aka Apple Hater) like you that anything was cool.

      • troy boy

        well they give like 50 phones to pick from. so…………… ummmm yea. i win

      • Anonymous

        But, you’re still a sheep. Maybe a sheep with more options, but a sheep nonetheless.

    • Bringit

      Jealous hater.

      • Anonymous

        shut up you moron

      • Bringit

        Typical comeback from a weak minded Androidnerd.  You can’t handle the truth!

  • Anonymous

    I don’t know how well the 3GS sells new in the UK these days but there is very high demand for used unlocked 3GS’s people are buying them, slapping in something like O2′s Simplicity SIM.
    Makes a lot of sense, particularly if you get one that has Applecare on it. 

  • Anonymous

    My wife wanted to try an iFone because its pretty.  After 3 yrs with Android, I bought her a 4S this weekend.  All I have to say is NO THANKS.  Its amazing what people will put up with, just to have “pretty”… The lack of features, lack of functionality, and S-L-O-W ness of this thing makes me want to throw it out a window…  
    I will happily stay on Android and get the Nexus…  

    • Adam McDonald

      Slowness? I’ve never seen a slow iPhone…

      • Anonymous

        Maybe it’s on Sprint!

      • Anonymous

        No its the software on the POS

    • Danny

      I like Android too but I got the new iP4s anyways.  Great battery life.  Screen scrolls as smooth as butter with your finger.  Device does not overheat or randomly reboot and my apps so far do not stick or freeze up.  No “force closes,” yet.  

      The OS is boring but the apps are great and perform generally well.  Can’t wait to jailbreak it.  

      Everything syncs good with iCloud to my MacBook pro and iPad 2 so I don’t have to manually sync it to iTunes.  

      I use Spotify, Pandora and Slacker for my music so I don’t depend on iTunes but it’s still a good alternative for those who need it or want it.  All of these apps play way better on the iPhone and sound great in my car.  On my Android phones these apps would freeze up or refuse to play at random and the sound didn’t sound anywhere as good as it does on my Android when plugged into a 3.5 mm audio out cable.  

      I get bored easily so I’ll probably get the next best Android (compatible with AT&T’s LTE network) followed by the new iP5 whenever it comes out next year.  ;-) 

      My only complaint about the iP4 is that the phone is chunky and is not comfortable to use as a phone (does anyone even use phones as phones anymore) so I got a good looking gel case and it makes all the  difference in the world. 

  • Anonymous

    2 generations old boo

  • Anonymous

    We will now watch apple dominate the section of the market that gives android os its majority share. The low end phone market where the consumer “just wants a phone to make phone calls and get email”. The unwilling to spend 200-300$. I forsee apple Completely overtaking the android os on marketshare with 3-4 phones and 2-3 tablets unless android gets its head on its shoulders soon.

    • Anonymous

      You sound fckn retarted half of android low end phones are 1GHZ that will crush this touchscreen sega controller (3GS)

      • Anonymous

        Yes but the rescource hog android os takes at least 1ghz to = 3gs and there has been only 1 android phone to step up to te plate of the iP4 and that is the sgs2, granted it takes dual cores and diminished battery life to do it.

      • Anonymous

        you sound more stupid and more retarded than QNX sounds…go do your research before you make posts

  • Anonymous

    @BGR Technology doesn’t stop on the weekend! Where R you @?

    • Anonymous

      Johnathan probably kissing Tim Cooks azz & rubbing his feet, Todd probably fckn his self with that cheap ass 4S while speaking to SIRI , Zach probably jacking off to Tim Cook getting his cock suckd by Geller (THAT’S WHAT THERE WEEKEND CONSIST OF)

      • Anonymous

        Wow.. thanks for the weekend update!

      • Anonymous

        And yet you’re doing Balsillie and Lazaridis at the same time. Dude, please, stop throwing rock until your roof is not made of glass.

      • Anonymous

        This is coming from the man who has the root his android to install a fckn theme your real funny my man

      • Anonymous

        Wait don’t tell me your mad because those android apps run better on qnx lol don’t worry oracle will shut android azz down oh wait isn’t android a copy of iOS and BBOS? yeah OK

  • Clint

    The one undeniable thing I have gathered from reading this post is that QNX is a total douchebag and needs to find a hobby that doesn’t involve trolling the internet.  Believe it or not QNX, there is a world outside of your ass… poke your head out sometime. God, knows you need to breathe clean air =)

    • Anonymous

      Thanks Clint, i guess you look like Dr Phil and never broke your virginity.

  • http://www.DavidPat.com David Pat

    Apple and Monster Cable. Proof that marketing > substance.

  • Camacho4lyfe

    People want content that can run on thier phone. Ive been a longtime android user since G1 and i have to admit low-end android phones get left in the dust when it comes to content and apps. i just recently switched to a Iphone 3GS and i got to say every app that i want and need works great. when it comes to android if u dont have the latest android os update or latest processors your shit out of luck. I think its great that people that cant spend alot on phones can now get a iphone 3GS.

  • http://www.flayme.com/troll/ nanatroll

    3GS is a nice phone… BUT. Its still a iClone. Buy a REAL smartphone. Buy an ANDROID.

    ANDROID FTW.

  • Alex Wong

    For most folks, the 3GS works fine.  I don’t know about signing a 2-yr deal on a two yr old phone, but hey, this is where Apple can do no wrong comes in.

  • blackout11

    the fact that this is true, is so underwhelming, it HURTS.

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