Samsung Focus price drop looks PERMANENT - Focus General

If you haven't heard already, AT&T's website shows a change in price for the Focus which was originally $199 and is now $99 on contract. I was assuming this was just a random New Year's sale but now I'm not so sure.
Yesterday on Gizmodo, I noticed that Microsoft was advertising WP7 and the Focus but those banners had been there for a while. Then I realized it was also advertising the $99 price and I don't remember AT&T advertising many of their sales before.
Today my cousin needed to return a router to AT&T so I went to the local store in Southern California and I decided to check out the price. There it was on the sign: "$99 on contract". That rules out a web-only sale too. So after my cousin had returned the router. I asked one of the employees there about the phone's price. He said they just got word of the new pricing last night and changed it in-store this morning. I asked him if it was permanent and he replied, "I'm not completely sure. Like I said, we only just got the message yesterday and it just said to change the price."
If it were a sale, then AT&T would probably be screaming about it from the rooftops and make their employees tell customers it was a limited time only...but that's not the case. So it looks like the Focus has officially dropped to $99 on contract.
Now the real question is: why? Seems convenient for the price to drop the week of CES so maybe thats a hint that AT&T will be getting some new smartphones in their lineup soon, maybe even more WP7s. Another thing to consider is that AT&T is trying to rope in as many customers as it possibly can before Verizon gets the iPhone 4, which is rumored and has some evidence to support it happening a couple of weeks after CES. Take it as you will, but a great cutting-edge smartphone is now $100 and thats pretty sweet if you ask me.

Well, assuming the Surround and Quantum haven't dropped too, the Focus is the only 8GB WP7, and the 8GB iPhone is $99. It could be Samsung/Microsoft/AT&T wanted that price lower so the Focus was clearly a better choice.

@FishFace - Both the Samsung Focus and the LG Quantum are getting the $100-pricepoint-treatment.
wwwDOTwpcentralDOTcom/ATT-lowers-price-quantum-and-focus

GrayWolf said:
@FishFace - Both the Samsung Focus and the LG Quantum are getting the $100-pricepoint-treatment.
www.wpcentral.com/ATT-lowers-price-quantum-and-focus
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That's what is so odd. Why are only the Quantum and the Focus getting the price drop?
My only theory right now is that AT&T wanted all three at the $100 price point but HTC declined while LG & Samsung both agreed. I'm sticking with my master theory that AT&T wants as many people as humanly possible to come to AT&T before Verizon's iPhone is announced as this also makes sense with AT&T offering early upgrades for people interested in buying the iPhone 4.

$99 on contract price is so so as most online dealers already sold them for $49 or free. However, the biggest story in this price reduction is that both Focus and Quantum now sell for $399 off contract. That's a very attractive price for me w/o (not even possible right now) sign up two more years of contract.
I suspect the HTC doesn't sell as well as the other two. And also this move is in anticipation of WP7 phones will be released to Verizon and Sprint soon, not iPhone. iPhone itself has the price drop as well at the same time.

iphone4 is not the threat. It would be the iPhone5 ! Or even WP8 !
And the strategy to go to a $100 now is brilliant. I mean how many smartphones that are really worth buying are at this price point? Seems to me that they have found a great price point and will sell millions of them. They proabably get some kind of rebate from Microsoft for selling so many units and Microsoft will benefit from increased users buying Apps or XboxLive games.
No different than a Toyota Corolla. Make a good car and sell it at a great price point and they sold LOTS of them. Build up a huge customer base and when the customer is ready to replace the Corolla, then they up sell to the Camry or to the Lexus., or sell them another Corolla. Eitherway they have huge following.

HTC doesn't know how to make a reasonably priced phone. Well, they know how to make a phone that should be reasonably priced, that's all they make, but they don't price them according to what they're actually worth.

In case you guys are interested, Amazon Wireless is selling the Focus for $0.01 today. Stock is definitely on the move. I'm guessing a Focus 2 with Super AMOLED Plus might be on the way.

Pretty simple, ATT is the only company presently that has a Galaxy S windows7 phone, my guess is the rest of the cell companies are about to get their versions too, much like they all did with Android.
If the Focus is priced $100 cheaper than tmobile, verizon, sprint galaxy S versions, they hope it will take the steam out of their fanfare.
Only reason there isnt a Windows7 phone in my house currently is cos I only have tmobile and sprint.
EDIT: And no galaxy S with the hummingbird or SAMOLED screen

kponti said:
Only reason there isnt a Windows7 phone in my house currently is cos I only have tmobile and sprint.
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T-Mobile has the HTC HD7 ! And yes it's a Windows 7 phone.
Darn nice phone. I had it but could not tether with or get 3G with it on FIDO (Canada). I'm sure there are many more models to come.

Lewisham said:
In case you guys are interested, Amazon Wireless is selling the Focus for $0.01 today. Stock is definitely on the move. I'm guessing a Focus 2 with Super AMOLED Plus might be on the way.
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Very unlikely I think, if they had a new Focus coming out it would have been announced at CES. And Focus is still a very new phone and apparently selling very well (no wonder, it's amazing).

PaullikesWINMO said:
T-Mobile has the HTC HD7 ! And yes it's a Windows 7 phone.
Darn nice phone. I had it but could not tether with or get 3G with it on FIDO (Canada). I'm sure there are many more models to come.
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Yes but too big and heavy, not to mention my Samsungs have consistently had better reception than my HTCs inside buildings where I use the phone 90% of the time

Just bought one off Amazon for $0.01. Friend got one through AT&T for the same price after he told them about the Amazon offer.
ATT told me that most likely its because its a 3g phone and they're in the process of rolling out the 4g network. Whatever, I got the phone for 0.01...Including shipping!

It says in the website that it can be as upgrade to an existing line. My question is, what if your line is not eligible for upgrade yet. Will your bill show up with the list price after a month or two? Has anyone encounter this yet?

If you are not yet qualified, you have to pay full out of contact price which is $399 if you go to an AT&T store or $499 from 3rd party online.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Syst3m said:
Just bought one off Amazon for $0.01. Friend got one through AT&T for the same price after he told them about the Amazon offer.
ATT told me that most likely its because its a 3g phone and they're in the process of rolling out the 4g network. Whatever, I got the phone for 0.01...Including shipping!
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Could be but somehow I doubt it has anything to do with 4G, since the average consumer I don't think knows about 4G or cares at this point. The fact that they are willing to give you the phone for free tells you they know they will make their money back by the end of the contract, with a sizable profit .

phoneguy 4567 said:
Could be but somehow I doubt it has anything to do with 4G, since the average consumer I don't think knows about 4G or cares at this point. The fact that they are willing to give you the phone for free tells you they know they will make their money back by the end of the contract, with a sizable profit .
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Thats what I feel too. The other thought is trying to get people to Att network before the iPhone comes to Verizon or whatever.
It says in the website that it can be as upgrade to an existing line. My question is, what if your line is not eligible for upgrade yet. Will your bill show up with the list price after a month or two? Has anyone encounter this yet?
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i had 10 months left in my contract, and 2 separate phone calls by me (and one by a friend who got the same deal) said that my old contract was being ended, and they would create a new one that started the day the phone was activated. They know if you're eligible for an upgrade - they ask for your phone # and last name. My friend who called had 3 months left on his contract, and was unable to get the deal at first. When he called AT&T, they cleared his contract and he checked on their again -and it was eligible. He ended up buying through ATT because they said they'd match the same deal.

Syst3m said:
Just bought one off Amazon for $0.01. Friend got one through AT&T for the same price after he told them about the Amazon offer.
ATT told me that most likely its because its a 3g phone and they're in the process of rolling out the 4g network. Whatever, I got the phone for 0.01...Including shipping!
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Could you ask him how he got it through AT&T? I just asked a branch store and they said they could not offer the $0.01 deal...

I'm thinking of getting one off contract for $400. (don't wanna get locked in to Rogers - $400 voice cancellation + $100 data cancellation, 3 yr contract).
What have your experiences been like with unlocking? I heard ATT is refusing to unlock, and unlock codes go for up to $40 online...

When I was in-store the other day, I'm pretty sure the sale price on the Focus said until 1/31. I think it's only good for a couple more weeks, but we'll see.

Related

Nexus One just arriving at third party outlets?

It was a bargain at Google's online outlet. How can they have the balls to say the phone is a $699.00 retail phone? $300.00 with a new two year T-Mobile contract? This isn't going to help sales.
Here it is at i-wireless
Here it is at Pure Wireless for AT&T - no contract price of $638.00 plus shipping.
Ugh - I hope this isn't going to be a sign of what's to come.
Wow, never even thought of seeing it at those prices. I'm not sure what to make of this actually because they were talking about selling it at retail outlets, not on the internet.
This one is my favorite.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270562235947&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
krabman said:
Wow, never even thought of seeing it at those prices. I'm not sure what to make of this actually because they were talking about selling it at retail outlets, not on the internet.
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Those seem like 3rd party retailers, they always seem to bloat the prices so they make money off of it, if you go directly to an official store, they'll have it at the actual price. I heard t-mobile is going to start selling it officially.
Edit:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186991/nexus_one_price_drops_for_some_tmobile_upgrades.html
New customers get it for $180, upgrades are another story.
ChillRays said:
This one is my favorite.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270562235947&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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That one kills me. I didn't know Hong Kong was in Canada.
prophetjinn said:
Those seem like 3rd party retailers, they always seem to bloat the prices so they make money off of it, if you go directly to an official store, they'll have it at the actual price. I heard t-mobile is going to start selling it officially.
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I heard that too. I heard AT&T will, too. But I have serious doubts about that rumor. If they do, they'll insist on screwing it up. You can count on no more "fastboot oem unlock"
attn1 said:
That one kills me. I didn't know Hong Kong was in Canada.
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haha i just noticed that too...
prophetjinn said:
Those seem like 3rd party retailers, they always seem to bloat the prices so they make money off of it, if you go directly to an official store, they'll have it at the actual price. I heard t-mobile is going to start selling it officially.
Edit:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186991/nexus_one_price_drops_for_some_tmobile_upgrades.html
New customers get it for $180, upgrades are another story.
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NOUN
1. sale to consumers: the selling of goods directly to customers, e.g. in stores
"She works in retail."
ADVERB
1. not wholesale: from an ordinary store or at the regular customer price and in small amounts rather than in bulk
"I bought it retail."
This is something that maybe has a different connotation elsewhere but retail around here refers to brick and mortar. Before there was an internet something not bought at retail or catalog sales from a retailer was either mail order or private sale. Nowdays you can add internet sales to that as a different venue to shop but it is not retail.
edit... Maybe its just because I'm old. Let me rephrase, its not retail to me or basically anyone I know. I'm going to have to ask one of my kids the next time they come over.
This is what I've been saying all along. It's not carriers they mentioned, they said third party retail, like amazon, best buy, frys electronics, etc. I mean what carriers are left? They all passed on the nexus, so the only places left are stores.
krabman said:
NOUN
1. sale to consumers: the selling of goods directly to customers, e.g. in stores
"She works in retail."
ADVERB
1. not wholesale: from an ordinary store or at the regular customer price and in small amounts rather than in bulk
"I bought it retail."
This is something that maybe has a different connotation elsewhere but retail around here refers to brick and mortar. Before there was an internet something not bought at retail or catalog sales from a retailer was either mail order or private sale. Nowdays you can add internet sales to that as a different venue to shop but it is not retail.
edit... Maybe its just because I'm old. Let me rephrase, its not retail to me or basically anyone I know. I'm going to have to ask one of my kids the next time they come over.
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Did I say retail? I asked if this is a sign of things to come because NO ONE has yet announced the Nexus One is slated for their retail outlet. Also, the AT&T version is "temporarily unavailable" from the Google online store.
If sales are so damn bad, how did this happen?
attn1 said:
Did I say retail? I asked if this is a sign of things to come because NO ONE has yet announced the Nexus One is slated for their retail outlet. Also, the AT&T version is "temporarily unavailable" from the Google online store.
If sales are so damn bad, how did this happen?
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Its going to take 3 days to get more AT&T Nexus Ones in. A google employee confirmed this. Sadly I don't have a link to back this up but thats the word going around. =)
ChillRays said:
Its going to take 3 days to get more AT&T Nexus Ones in. A google employee confirmed this. Sadly I don't have a link to back this up but thats the word going around. =)
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And this happened because they are letting inventory drop before allowing a retailer to take over? A $99.00 AT&T Nexus at Walmart would be outstanding. With my luck, it will end up at Radio Shack for $429.00 with a new contract. My wife now wants one.
attn1 said:
And this happened because they are letting inventory drop before allowing a retailer to take over? A $99.00 AT&T Nexus at Walmart would be outstanding. With my luck, it will end up at Radio Shack for $429.00 with a new contract. My wife now wants one.
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Looks like your wife and I are in the same boat I really can't wait for my N1.
ChillRays said:
Looks like your wife and I are in the same boat I really can't wait for my N1.
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Well, we're waiting a few days for the new iphone to come out. If I peddle that on Ebay new and unopened and contract free, it ought to bring enough profit to pay for a good part of a new N1. I just hope it's available for a reasonable price somewhere when we're ready to buy.
attn1 said:
Did I say retail? I asked if this is a sign of things to come because NO ONE has yet announced the Nexus One is slated for their retail outlet. Also, the AT&T version is "temporarily unavailable" from the Google online store.
If sales are so damn bad, how did this happen?
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They said retail in their announcement. You know, it turns out people want to get their hands on them, or whatever the language was. I dont feel like looking it up but I'm sure you recall that. That is why I wonder exactly what this is all about. This isnt going to move many more handsets than their own direct sales. Thats where I was going about it not making sense. It doesnt jive with what they said.
FYI, I Wireless is a cell phone provider based out of Iowa, and is affiliated with T-Mobile USA, although both are still separate companies. They have had the Nexus One since the end of March at select corporate locations. The reason they are priced that much is because they had to buy them 5 at a time from Google in order to offer them to customers. They did this because they wanted to offer their customers the Nexus One, and this was the only way they could at a discount.
With the change in Google policy, they are now available at every location in the company. But here is the thing, Google is still selling the phone to retailers and carriers, and they are charging an arm and a leg for each unit. $300 on contract is still a large discount from what the whole sale price of the phone is for most retailers... some retailers and carriers, ie T-Mobile, are getting a better deal, thus can offer a lower price. But they are also taking a bigger hit than others are (they can afford to because they have a larger customer base, thus if they only make $20 over a 2 year contract off a Nexus One owner, they can handle that because they have so many customers it still adds up to millions in the end).
krabman said:
They said retail in their announcement. You know, it turns out people want to get their hands on them, or whatever the language was. I dont feel like looking it up but I'm sure you recall that. That is why I wonder exactly what this is all about. This isnt going to move many more handsets than their own direct sales. Thats where I was going about it not making sense. It doesnt jive with what they said.
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Yup, agreed.
pjcforpres said:
FYI, I Wireless is a cell phone provider based out of Iowa, and is affiliated with T-Mobile USA, although both are still separate companies. They have had the Nexus One since the end of March at select corporate locations. The reason they are priced that much is because they had to buy them 5 at a time from Google in order to offer them to customers. They did this because they wanted to offer their customers the Nexus One, and this was the only way they could at a discount.
With the change in Google policy, they are now available at every location in the company. But here is the thing, Google is still selling the phone to retailers and carriers, and they are charging an arm and a leg for each unit. $300 on contract is still a large discount from what the whole sale price of the phone is for most retailers... some retailers and carriers, ie T-Mobile, are getting a better deal, thus can offer a lower price. But they are also taking a bigger hit than others are (they can afford to because they have a larger customer base, thus if they only make $20 over a 2 year contract off a Nexus One owner, they can handle that because they have so many customers it still adds up to millions in the end).
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Well, $529.00 retail/no contract is not an arm and a leg. The price should drop in half or more with a new 2 year contract - the plans have fat in the price to provide a hefty $300.00 or more sudsidy. AT&T just increased their early termination contract penalty to $325.00 on smart phones to make sure they recover their subsidy. Something is just not right with this picture.
Man, Google is dumb here.
Why does it have to be online-only or store-only?
What they should have done is send one or two phones to all T-Mobile stores, and maybe have an online kiosk too. Then people can check it out in person and BOOM, sold.
It doesn't have to be one or the other.
attn1 said:
Well, $529.00 retail/no contract is not an arm and a leg. The price should drop in half or more with a new 2 year contract - the plans have fat in the price to provide a hefty $300.00 or more sudsidy. AT&T just increased their early termination contract penalty to $325.00 on smart phones to make sure they recover their subsidy. Something is just not right with this picture.
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I Wireless doesn't charge $325, though. And like I already said, they were buying them 5 at a time at full retail price just to offer them to their customers. That is a $260 subsidy... but that in perspective, if you gave that discount on a BB Bold 9700, the phone would be about $50. In general, most phones are subsidized about $100 for a dumb phone and $200 for a smartphone. And net the carrier about $50-$100 in total profit over a 2 year contract. Verizon and AT&T make much more than the T-Mobile's, and especially I Wireless of the world.
pjcforpres said:
I Wireless doesn't charge $325, though. And like I already said, they were buying them 5 at a time at full retail price just to offer them to their customers. That is a $260 subsidy... but that in perspective, if you gave that discount on a BB Bold 9700, the phone would be about $50. In general, most phones are subsidized about $100 for a dumb phone and $200 for a smartphone. And net the carrier about $50-$100 in total profit over a 2 year contract. Verizon and AT&T make much more than the T-Mobile's, and especially I Wireless of the world.
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How was Google pushing them out to new T-Mo customers for $179.00?
Paul22000 said:
Man, Google is dumb here.
Why does it have to be online-only or store-only?
What they should have done is send one or two phones to all T-Mobile stores, and maybe have an online kiosk too. Then people can check it out in person and BOOM, sold.
It doesn't have to be one or the other.
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Yeah, they could have done something different, that's for sure. Walmart? Best Buy? These guys can buy in enough volume to put them out there are a reasonable price.

HTC Surround is coming November 8th afterall

But only to Best Buy (US only). Very strange.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/14/dell-streak-htc-surround-white-samsung-fascinate-and-taylor-s/
Is the LG Quantum going to be a Wal-Mart exclusive? lol
RustyGrom said:
But only to Best Buy (US only).
Is the LG Quantum going to be a Wal-Mart exclusive? lol
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LOL! that was funny
The Taylor Swift SE-X10 is what caught my attention. Guess Im gonna have trouble choosing now :-\
lol
I seriously question the validity of Best Buy being the exclusive launch for the Surround. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Being one of the debut phones of WP7 under AT&T, the AT&T store is definitley going to have this. I would expect this, especially after after all the hype that was built for WP7 phones.
Well, after asking an ATT corporate store and multiple Best Buy's, it seems like it is true that it is exclusive to BB. Not sure the reasoning behind it but I put my preorder in anyhow. Usually phones are the only thing I buy from BB anyway since they give instant rebates on phones instead of the usual mail-in variety by ATT.
Just for the record.. Since people don't understand it still. Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile are different. There are standalone stores in malls and whatnot for Best Buy Mobile. And they truly do offer the cheapest prices on cellphones(physical in store that is). Instant rebates, none of that mail crap. And I think we're the only ones who offer legit iPhone insurance. Just saying, I feel like people are giving the downs to BBY because they over price everything. But BBYM is completely different. Anyway..
Can't wait to see all these new phones! We were fiddling with the Dell Streak today, sucks vanilla wise. Custom rom would make it worthwhile though. But I don't see us selling many of them with the $300 UPG/ACTV price. And we were lolling the entire day over the OtterBox for the Streak.. enormous!
I guess Best Buy Mobile isn't taking any more preorders?
I found a website that says they are taking preorders: http://www.mobilecityonline.com
Seems to be $600 for most of the WP7 phones, $100 more for it to be unlocked. I'm thinking I'll pass on it due to the price, but maybe someone else will be interested.
XeNoMoRpH1030 said:
I guess Best Buy Mobile isn't taking any more preorders?
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Possibly the closer we get to launch. Haven't heard much yet at work.
xSeany said:
Just for the record.. Since people don't understand it still. Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile are different. There are standalone stores in malls and whatnot for Best Buy Mobile. And they truly do offer the cheapest prices on cellphones(physical in store that is). Instant rebates, none of that mail crap. And I think we're the only ones who offer legit iPhone insurance.
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Radioshack and Best Buy alternate between lowest prices, depending on the phones. They don't do mail-in rebates, either. Not that RS is getting the Surround, but the point remains
Well, it seems Best Buy has put it back up
I hoped that we'd be able to preorder this device, but it appears AT&T isn't doing any type of preorder. I talked to them and they said you have to wait till November 8th.
I did notice Letstalk and Amazon Wireless have the devices up, just as coming soon though.
I got a best buy mobile and a att store within 20 feet of eachother in the mall here. I DONT think its as silly as having about 8 tmobile booths through out the entire mall.
There is also another att store in front of the mall. Its just crazy!
Hard to find...
The HTC Surround just showed up in Best Buy's inventory today. I work there full time and I've already got my pre-order. I did it on day one so as to guarantee my phone. Bad news is that the Best Buy I work at (small-end of the large format stores that sells appliances and installs car audio) has only 10 handsets on order. Hope you guys got your orders in early. As far as I can tell they will also have at least one case available for the phone in the stores house brand, Rocketfish. Can't wait to get this thing so I can ditch my Fuze.
Available at AT&T
Trust me it will be at AT&T starting Monday morning. ;-)
Here is a picture of the one I picked up at BB in Atlanta TODAY.
Surround Available at AT&D tomorrow morning
I am picking up my Surround at AT&T in the morning. They have 10 in stock.
AT&T require a minimum $15 data plan which gives you 200 megs monthly which is sufficient for my use since I mostly use WiFi at home. So the phone will cost me $200 and about $45 monthly. The surround reviews look very good. Though I may have preferred an HD7, only T-Mobile has them now and their service would cost a minimum $80 per month.
I just ordered mine online. Should be here in 2-3 days, assuming everything goes well.
Also, you can pre-order the LG from AT&T. Not sure why they didn't let you pre-order the others...
Just picked one up at my local ATT
Just got one, so the ATT stores have the Samsung and the HTC, we shall see how this plays out (gota learn a new windows now)
Cheers
BR

[Q] How easy is to buy a Focus without a contract?

I will be traveling to the US in about a week, I want to buy a Focus and was wondering if I will be able to do it without having a contract with At&t..
I'm willing to pay the "No Commitment Pricing" of $500+taxes but I don't know what kind of requirements they impose to the actual purchase of a device in the store.
Anybody has info on this?
idloco said:
I will be traveling to the US in about a week, I want to buy a Focus and was wondering if I will be able to do it without having a contract with At&t..
I'm willing to pay the "No Commitment Pricing" of $500+taxes but I don't know what kind of requirements they impose to the actual purchase of a device in the store.
Anybody has info on this?
Click to expand...
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Your best bet is Best Buy if/when they get the phone, I think.
When I bought my Focus today in an official AT&T store, they mentioned I would have to purchase some sort of contract to "get the phone today". I didn't mind since I was planning to, but it felt to me like it was a necessity...
Anyone else have problems buying off contract? I used my upgrade on an iPhone 4 and wanted to buy this for the full retail price today.... Hopefully I don't run into any problems =/
I bought mine no contract with no hassle. I'm already an ATT customer and just asked to buy the phone without a contract.
chizzwhizz said:
I bought mine no contract with no hassle. I'm already an ATT customer and just asked to buy the phone without a contract.
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Same here, I was in and out in about 5 minutes.
Bizybone said:
Same here, I was in and out in about 5 minutes.
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phew... load off my mind. now i can sell off my samsung captivate without worrying the whole day if i did it for nothing. THANKS
I got the phone when the stores open in Columbus, OH on the 8th. There were 4 of us in line there. The other 3 were Microsoft employees. Two bought the focus, one the HTC. All bought them with NO contract. Infact I think one guy paid for all three of them lol. I'm pretty sure since you can order them online with no contract for $499.99 at ATT.com that a contract is not needed.
I walked in and out of a official att store with a focus.
Buy it @ at&t stores should be no problem at all. The biggest problem is to get it unlocked.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
You can't buy the Samsung Focus off contract currently. AT&T will sell it outright ($499 + tax), but they will only sell it to you if your an existing on-contract customer or you sign up (with a minimum term). I've already been to AT&T and tried, apparantly my money is not good enough there. I'm not sure how people in the US put up with this rubbish. Either way, the only way to get a Samsung Focus in the US at the moment is to sign up at AT&T.
I've also been to Best Buy, but they only stock the HTC Surround, which I won't buy due to it not having a microSD slot.
I'm currently an AT&T customer who just renewed my contract for another 2 years for the iphone 4. So they'll be able to sell me one full retail price, right?
www.expansys-usa.com
What about Amazon Wireless, I think you can buy there without a plan...
EDIT: I just confirm this, you can buy without a plan!
Most online site still need to verify your status with AT&T (at least that's the policy with Letstalk.com). Stores don't like to sell phones without contract because there is no money to be made (monthly service charges).
jaraya13 said:
What about Amazon Wireless, I think you can buy there without a plan...
EDIT: I just confirm this, you can buy without a plan!
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Click to collapse
You can go elsewhere on the net as well. The problem is AT&T has the best price right now. Everyone else is a good 50-80 more expensive. I'd rather save the extra cash and grab a branded one...
bmstrong said:
You can go elsewhere on the net as well. The problem is AT&T has the best price right now. Everyone else is a good 50-80 more expensive. I'd rather save the extra cash and grab a branded one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude I meant the branded ones (AT&T), for example the HTC SURROUND AT&T BRANDED price is $460 or something like that. And I was able to go through all the checkout process, just that I didn't want to pay, hehehe
OK cool.. I hope there are Focus left when I´m there!
Amazon.com doesn't have Focus in stock. In fact, it only briefly showed up in like 10 seconds before it was sold out @ 11/8.
You go to Dell online and buy any phone on any carrier in the US and some unlocked Nokia's without a contract and in some cases the prices are pretty good...I have a Streak AND a Nokia N8 on the way lol. The Nokia (ugly pea green one) was actually only $450 compared to $550 most other places. If I don't like either one I may be joining the Focus owners club in a few weeks.
craiglist.. thats how i got mine// 400 bucks.. a week old

Release date for the Note in the US?

Wondering when this amazing device is coming to the US. Also, how smooth does that 1.4ghz Exynos run?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
xAnimal5 said:
Wondering when this amazing device is coming to the US. Also, how smooth does that 1.4ghz Exynos run?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No telling. Our carriers ruin everything. Could take six months. Mine is on the way to Texas!!
U.S. looks like it's coming to AT&T, according to FCC documents
According to FCC documents filed, it appears Samsung has at least applied for approval for AT&T ... http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-headed-to-usa-on-att-says-fcc-30184411/
My hope is it will be here 1st or 2nd quarter of next year with AT&T, since that's who our family plan is with.
Has anyone heard any updates to this, since that was back on September 30th.
I have a 2 year old iPhone 3GS that I would love to replace with this.
All the best !!!
xAnimal5 said:
Wondering when this amazing device is coming to the US. Also, how smooth does that 1.4ghz Exynos run?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to tell when a Samsung phone will be coming out in the US:
Start with the European launch date and add the number of days you can reasonable wait for a launch. Add 6-8 months and they might be ready to release it.
So it sounds more reasonable to expect a 2nd quarter U.S. launch since it was announced in September in Europe. I sure hope it's sooner though. It clearly blows away every device I've ever had, including the hyped-up iPhone !!!
I'm going to try and wait till May at the latest, since the warranty on my iPhone 4 is up on June. I hate not being protected...So I'll get the Note from the UK if it's not released by then, then just get a square trade warranty on it.
Unless it is an "iphone" don't expect any release from at&t within 6 months of it being released to the rest of the world. AT&T sucks at releasing non iJunk.
Walk into one with a blank stare, tell them you are looking for a smart phone and
I'd bet you 100 bucks they will START with the iJunk.
When the SGS2 was FINALLY released, I walked into a corporate store to look at
one, and the sales drone said "I think we have one, but I don't care for android, I like the iPhone". Well, when you have sales people who think like that, what do you expect them to push you into? Plus, when AT&T sold their souls to get the iPhone, you can bet there was some under the table deal that keeps something that would stomp the iPhone into dust. And you can bet there is probably more profit on iJunk/accessories than any other phone.
I quit buying on contract with at&t last year with the Streak. It's expensive as hell to buy one out right, but, over the long run, you come out ahead. Plus, I'm still on the unlimited data...as long as I'm a good boy, or until at&t changes their mind again.
Thanks guys, but you bumped my 13 day old thread...
I bought a note already... Lol
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
xAnimal5 said:
Thanks guys, but you bumped my 13 day old thread...
I bought a note already... Lol
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy it from?
What carrier are you using and is it getting 3G/4G?
p51d007 said:
I quit buying on contract with at&t last year with the Streak. It's expensive as hell to buy one out right, but, over the long run, you come out ahead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not True.
That's only true if the ETF($325 smart phone's) plus the contract price is higher then the retail price.
For the iPhone....The Retail price for the 4S 16GB is $650. So you are going to pay $200 on contract, and say you cancel the next month....that's a total of $525. Even if you include a $100 bill for the first month, that's still cheaper then buying a off-contract iPhone 4S!
It would make some sense if you got a lower monthly plan for not being on a contract, but fat chance on that. Instead, it's better to just buy on contract and let your potential ETF decrease by $10/month. When you want to leave ATT or get another phone, just sell it and buy another, you will be better off. The ETF is just there because the carrier is paying for a good portion of the phone for you.
This is still true for most Dumb Phones that are Free on contract. They can run $200 retail, and the ETF is $175..it's still cheaper to go with the contract, once again your monthly fee is the same, and the ETF decreases after each month on the network.
Now. I'm off contract on my iPhone 4. But that's because I get a cheaper monthly rate by being off contract. I use a iPad data only SIM in my iphone, which is the $30 Unlimited deal. The ETF after 16 months was $175...which is the cost for less then 3 months of service. I would be paying the Unlimited data sim anyway just to keep it...So this way I save a ton of cash.
Now if ATT get the Note...that's a $800 device! If ATT only asked $400 on contract that would still be quite the deal, as the Contract price plus the ETF would be $725...still cheaper then the unlocked retail version! And since ATT is what I would be using here in the US anyway, it really makes no sense for me to get the unlocked version. Now...if the Locked version does not have LTE, and does not work with my iPad SIM as my iPhone does, I may just bite the bullet and get the Internationale version anyway, that way I can go on using my data only device.(I use google voice for text and talkatone for voice, android has a Voip gmail google voice client as well)
Spartan2x said:
Not True.
That's only true if the ETF($325 smart phone's) plus the contract price is higher then the retail price.
For the iPhone....The Retail price for the 4S 16GB is $650. So you are going to pay $200 on contract, and say you cancel the next month....that's a total of $525. Even if you include a $100 bill for the first month, that's still cheaper then buying a off-contract iPhone 4S!
It would make some sense if you got a lower monthly plan for not being on a contract, but fat chance on that. Instead, it's better to just buy on contract and let your potential ETF decrease by $10/month. When you want to leave ATT or get another phone, just sell it and buy another, you will be better off. The ETF is just there because the carrier is paying for a good portion of the phone for you.
This is still true for most Dumb Phones that are Free on contract. They can run $200 retail, and the ETF is $175..it's still cheaper to go with the contract, once again your monthly fee is the same, and the ETF decreases after each month on the network.
Now. I'm off contract on my iPhone 4. But that's because I get a cheaper monthly rate by being off contract. I use a iPad data only SIM in my iphone, which is the $30 Unlimited deal. The ETF after 16 months was $175...which is the cost for less then 3 months of service. I would be paying the Unlimited data sim anyway just to keep it...So this way I save a ton of cash.
Now if ATT get the Note...that's a $800 device! If ATT only asked $400 on contract that would still be quite the deal, as the Contract price plus the ETF would be $725...still cheaper then the unlocked retail version! And since ATT is what I would be using here in the US anyway, it really makes no sense for me to get the unlocked version. Now...if the Locked version does not have LTE, and does not work with my iPad SIM as my iPhone does, I may just bite the bullet and get the Internationale version anyway, that way I can go on using my data only device.(I use google voice for text and talkatone for voice, android has a Voip gmail google voice client as well)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool story.
Have fun waiting 7 months for his thing to come to the US. By that time, the Galaxy Note 2 would have come out.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Where would be the best and cheapest place to get a Note?
Has anyone ever used ... electroprise.com on Manhattan before? ... http://electroprise.com/samsung-galaxy-note-gt-n7000-gsm-hsdpa-quadband-unlocked-p-2911.html. I'm up for an upgrade, with AT&T, anyways and they say they have a Note for $399, with a plan, which seems pretty good (cost varies with the type of plan).
If I sell my iPhone 3GS for $150-200 then it's only about $200-250 extra for the phone. Has anyone heard of a great place(s) or offer(s) for the Note, with a plan (since I need to extend my plan anyways)?
I'm going to call electroprise.com today and see what the real deal is ... it seems too good to be true. FYI, my current intention is to wait until the Note comes to AT&T and get it for $200 possibly (it may be $400 anyways !!!), but I would have to wait 6 months, which is a total bummer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated ... all the best !!!
olliesshop said:
Has anyone ever used ... electroprise.com on Manhattan before? ... http://electroprise.com/samsung-galaxy-note-gt-n7000-gsm-hsdpa-quadband-unlocked-p-2911.html. I'm up for an upgrade, with AT&T, anyways and they say they have a Note for $399, with a plan, which seems pretty good (cost varies with the type of plan).
If I sell my iPhone 3GS for $150-200 then it's only about $200-250 extra for the phone. Has anyone heard of a great place(s) or offer(s) for the Note, with a plan (since I need to extend my plan anyways)?
I'm going to call electroprise.com today and see what the real deal is ... it seems too good to be true. FYI, my current intention is to wait until the Note comes to AT&T and get it for $200 possibly (it may be $400 anyways !!!), but I would have to wait 6 months, which is a total bummer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated ... all the best !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW this seems too good to be true LOL. $600 off contract? $400 on contract? This phone is not even offered for a contract on any US carrier. Not sure about this one...
I just read this on androidcentral.com (2011-11-06)
http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note/131663-where-buy-galaxy-note-us.html ...
"Re: Where to buy Galaxy Note for US?
You can't get the Note from a US carrier yet. You will need to order international. Many have ordered from Handtec () without issue. They are currently shipping their second batch out. They have a choice of unlocked with no network logo or for slightly less, unlocked with a network logo on boot.
You can also order from Amazon Germany or clove.co.uk
You won't be able to take advantage of the 3g or 4g network on T-Mobile with the International version of the note. It does not have the antenna and chipset for the lower frequencies used on the higher speed network. You will only get voice and 2g speed out side of Wi-Fi. The Korean version of the Note with LTE is being released very soon and will be using the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (like the Galaxy S2 on T-Mobile). This will likely be compatible with T-Mobile's higher speed network.
The International Note can be used with ATT HSDPA network without issue and at full speed. Some are using the unlimited pay as you go, non-smartphone plan (I think it is called gophone) with the note. I believe it is ~$50/month. Since ATT can only check the IMEI number on units it sells, you should be able to use an unlocked, international Note with this plan without having ATT change your plan to a more expensive "smartphone", limited plan.
-Alex-"
"I also found out from Wikipedia that AT&T has the following frequencies ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT&T_Mobility ... does everyone agree with these?
Radio Frequency Summary
The following is a list of known frequencies which AT&T employs in the United States:
Frequency Protocol Class
Frequencies used on the AT&T Network 850 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE 2G
1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE 2G
850 MHz UMTS/HSPA 3G
1900 MHz UMTS/HSPA 3G
700 MHz LTE 4G"
That means AT&T should match up well with Note's frequencies ...
HSPA+ up to 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
4G LTE
EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
This is just my two cent worth ... maybe I should wait for the 4G phone ... aaarrggg !!! Like I said before, any help would be appreciated.
---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 AM ----------
HTC Chris said:
WOW this seems too good to be true LOL. $600 off contract? $400 on contract? This phone is not even offered for a contract on any US carrier. Not sure about this one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love your signature " ... after getting off iPhone", since that what I'm doing.
The iPhone is a "Smartphone for dummies" in my opinion. I used to hack the old XDAs/Windows phones a lot and I'm looking forward to doing it again with Android.
olliesshop said:
I love your signature " ... after getting off iPhone", since that what I'm doing.
The iPhone is a "Smartphone for dummies" in my opinion. I used to hack the old XDAs/Windows phones a lot and I'm looking forward to doing it again with Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I saw the light XD. After experiencing what the Android can do(flash, bigger screen, better customization with ROMS and kernals,etc) I don't think I can go back to an iPhone. I've been loyal to having an iPhone since the first generation, the 4s is what threw me off the ship. Now I'm thinking about picking up a Note I thinking of picking it up from this guy http://www.ebay.com/itm/140636202852?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Exchange my Galaxy for an unopened one and resell it for $450, so minus that from $750 the phone will cost me around $300.
I'm not so sure about the website you posted, I haven't seen the Galaxy Note for less than $730. But what you can do is use your upgrade to buy an iPhone 4s 16gb for $200, resell for $650, sell your iPhone 3gs for maybe $150. I see someone did something similar here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1338821
Spartan2x said:
Now if ATT get the Note...that's a $800 device! If ATT only asked $400 on contract that would still be quite the deal, as the Contract price plus the ETF would be $725...still cheaper then the unlocked retail version! And since ATT is what I would be using here in the US anyway, it really makes no sense for me to get the unlocked version. Now...if the Locked version does not have LTE, and does not work with my iPad SIM as my iPhone does, I may just bite the bullet and get the Internationale version anyway, that way I can go on using my data only device.(I use google voice for text and talkatone for voice, android has a Voip gmail google voice client as well)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF are you smoking that this plan makes any sense? The note is not an $800 phone, it is a $700 phone that would cost ATT much less than that (550-600) in wholesale price. So you think you are "getting a deal" when you are just getting screwed like everyone else who goes on a contract.
No answer
Well I've been calling electroprise.com pretty much all day and the phone just rings after the message and prompts, so it may be too good to be true. I let everyone know if I find out anything.
HTC Chris said:
I'm not so sure about the website you posted, I haven't seen the Galaxy Note for less than $730.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy Note is $710 shipped from Handtec and they cover the 2 year warranty from Samsung.
http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/5504/samsung-galaxy-note--16gb--sim-free-unlocked-
Amazon - Do you agree with the financials on this?
Does this make sense ...
• I'm due for an upgrade with AT&T, so I can buy a sealed, brand new, iPhone 4S 16GB for $200 and sell it for $500-650, based on eBay research ... for a profit of $300-450.
• It looks like I can sell my 2 year old 3GS, for $100-250
• Amazon has the Note for $769.95 ... http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Unlocked-Android-Smartphone/dp/B0061YRDX6
Therefore, I should be able to make $400-700 selling the two iPhones, then buy the Note from Amazon for $769.95. So it would cost me $70-370 total for the Note. Do you all agree with this logic, or am I missing something?
Also, does anyone know how to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich on the Note yet ... is there a good forum link on "how to"? I've never had an Android before, so this is all new to me ... sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks for any help on this.
olliesshop said:
Does this make sense ...
• I'm due for an upgrade with AT&T, so I can buy a sealed, brand new, iPhone 4S 16GB for $200 and sell it for $500-650, based on eBay research ... for a profit of $300-450.
• It looks like I can sell my 2 year old 3GS, for $100-250
• Amazon has the Note for $769.95 ... http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Unlocked-Android-Smartphone/dp/B0061YRDX6
Therefore, I should be able to make $400-700 selling the two iPhones, then buy the Note from Amazon for $769.95. So it would cost me $70-370 total for the Note. Do you all agree with this logic, or am I missing something?
Also, does anyone know how to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich on the Note yet ... is there a good forum link on "how to"? I've never had an Android before, so this is all new to me ... sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks for any help on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was you I would get a Galaxy S 2 instead.. Get it on att.. Galaxy Note is still very young in software updates.. Has to many issues.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

US preorders beginning?

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Best-Buy-teases-the-upcoming-launch-of-HTC-One_id40692
Best Buy has now put its signage in place for the HTC One, reminding us all that the new HTC flagship is right around the corner. With the One, HTC is hoping to finally reclaim some lost customers and turn things around. The once leading Android phone manufacturer has been struggling to remain profitable for quite some time now, due to increasing pressure from rival Samsung. The HTC One smartphone represents the company's return to its core strengths like premium design quality and diversified user experience. Thankfully, we won't have to wait long to see how things will develop, as both the One and its upcoming rival, the Samsung Galaxy S IV will launch very soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sign says preorder today, nothing on their website though. It would be nice to know their contract and off-contract prices so if anyone hears anything please report. I'm almost half way through my 2yr contract with my Sprint EVO LTE so correct me if I'm wrong but I believe I have to buy off-contract. I might consider buying from BB and buying their buyback deal where they give you more for your phone when you upgrade.
rank78 said:
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Best-Buy-teases-the-upcoming-launch-of-HTC-One_id40692
The sign says preorder today, nothing on their website though. It would be nice to know their contract and off-contract prices so if anyone hears anything please report. I'm almost half way through my 2yr contract with my Sprint EVO LTE so correct me if I'm wrong but I believe I have to buy off-contract. I might consider buying from BB and buying their buyback deal where they give you more for your phone when you upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like Pre-Orders will appear soon on AT&T since the One X+ price went down from 199 to $99.
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/htc/one-xplus-carbon-black.html#fbid=N25srQ_JlvO
i read somewhere that Best Buy employees were advised to take down that Pre Order sign because they aren't doing them yet...
If they are getting all this promo stuff in then the pre-orders should start either this week or next week.. i don't see them accepting pre-orders for only 2 days then releasing a device..
i highly doubt AT&T will release the HTC One the same day they are releasing the Blackberry Z10 on March 22nd.. knowing how bad blackberry needs attention

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