iPhone 2.0: To subsidize or not to subsidize?

Do you think Rogers will subsidize the iPhone when they release it in Canada? It’s hard to say. But there is talk of the iPhone being priced around $200 from carriers if you buy from them. Does this mean the iPhone will come unlocked too? I don’t know. Is Apple going to sell it for one price and the carrier another? I don’t know. Will there be a rebate then? I don’t know. My guess is that it wont be subsidized in Canada.

I don’t think Rogers will subsidize the iPhone because it will be a hot item and if people want it, they are going to pay whatever it costs. Personally, I will pay whatever it costs. I paid $600 for my unlocked one before unlocking was so easy. Rogers will make you sign a 3 year contract regardless of whether they subsidize the iPhone or not. They might even add in that ridiculous data contract thing too. Rogers sells the N95 for $399 on a 3 year contract with the 3 year data contract too. That is subsidized because the phone would be $700 without a contact. The iPhone isn’t $700 regularly but is still a great enough phone that many would have no problem shelling out $400.

Rogers isn’t really making any money of the sale of the phone part. The iPhone itself is going to drive people to Rogers, not the usual free phone tactics. While the iPhone will probably be subsidized in many countries around the world, Canada seems to be the exception when it comes to cell phone carriers.

If Rogers were to subsidize the iPhone, we would definitely see more sales. Not every teenager working at Tim Hortons or Mcdonalds making $8 an hour who wants an iPhone can probably afford it. $400 is a lot of money to some. For some maybe their parents will buy it or they will just put it on the credit card or credit line and leave it there. It’s almost too hard to resist. But, if subsidized, I think we will see a Moto Razr type phenomena happen with the iPhone.

Now some people say that they don’t want the iPhone to get Razr-like popularity because then everyone one has one it gets ‘played out’. I say - let everyone have one. This is the best phone in the world people. Lets let everyone enjoy it.

So Rogers, please give us the 3G iPhone soon and please subsidize it. But if you don’t subsidize it, I wont mind.

Source: By Canadian iPhone User http://www.iphoneuser.ca/

Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.