Is my observation (in my case -> 8703e owner)... the 8800 is not worth it in terms of time (just a year for the 9xxx series and $$$) anyone who invest in the 88XX series now will be like the WinMo users who will buy devices with Crossbow: will be released to manufacturer in Q4 2006 ready for release in Q1/Q2 of 2007 and that the next operating system (codenamed "Photon") will be released to manufacturers in Q4 2007 ready for release in Q1/Q2 2008... With "Photon" and the IPhone coming why RIM doesn't get a head start..?. And I don't care what anyone says 8700, 8800, 8100 and 7100 series owners wil upgrade 100%...

There's a RANT forum you know...

no rant just an observation...

What's wrong with upgrading once a year?

Personally I prefer an 8 month upgrade cycle......

Nothing really, except now with the 2 year contract extension, it gets a bit more costly to do so. Thank goodness for unlocked phones and eBay!

I couldn't agree more...

Make it 6 months and i could get behind it!

I have two phone, my work would pay for whatever Blackberry I want so that's not a problem. Personally, I buy for new phone almost every time there's a new one so what will be best is carrier let you trade your phone (which's always less than 2 month old) for new ones (maybe some extra money also). They always could use them like refurbished or something like that.

^^ none of them. I think VOCE has a free upgrade yearly. Though at their prices they better.

Otherwise if you are using a normal carrier you can just buy unlocked and ebay the old phone. It can be supprisingly affordable.

I'm already on a new phone yearly rate so no problems here.

It never even occurs to me as when it is the best time to upgrade. I get ever new one that comes out. I have even changed carriers to get a phone I liked and I have had many unlocked so I can use it with my existing carrier!

Time is now!

I only wish I could do this, if I tired it would land me squarely in divorce court! My wife's philosophy if you don't "need" it you aren't getting it! Looks like my 8700 may need to take a trip into the sink one day soon.......

But seriously, she would let me by it on contract at the reduced price, but on Cingular I can pull that trigger once every 2 years......should I hold out for the 9xxx coming out later this year or jump early and be stuck with the 8800 for 2 years?

thoughts?

I'm on Cingular and here is how I obtain an upgrade about every 8 months. I simply go into a store about 6 weeks after the "new model" I want has been for sale. This way some of the "newness" has worn off, the customers are no longer clamoring for it the way they did during the first week or two, and the reps are looking at the "next new phone" that has come in (usually of a different brand).

I ask to speak to the manager, they usually ask if they can help me as they do not want to "disturb" the manager. I say that I've been having an intermitant problem with my phone that is very hard to duplicate. But it causes dropped calls, and I would like a new phone. They quote me full retail and I say thanks, but I can only afford the upgrade price. They say I'm not due for X more months. Then I say that I'm a loyal customer, and that I have a high lifetime value to the company. I remind them that I'm not threatening to go to another carrier I just need them to sell me one at the upgrade price. All the while I'm calm, matter of fact, and persistant. This works everytime. It's one of the reasons I stay loyal to Cingular is they will listen and accomodate the customer if you just ask. In the event that you get someone that's difficult and uncooperative, simply leave and go to another store. This does indeed work and it works well. I have obtained several new phones this way. It's easy and it's fun, as I'm always relaxed and pleasant to them. They are so used to difficult customers that want to argue, that when faced with a friendly pleasant customer, suddenly they want to work with you. Get them on your side by being complimentary and geniune and it's a win-win deal.

Cheers...

I thought with Cingular you could get the upgrade price after 1 year. I always have. you need to do another 2 year contract but who cares.

High MRC plans ($100+/mo) are able to get the upgrade price at the 12 month mark. Lower MRC plans at the 18 month mark.

Thanks for the dose of thread-reality.

I don't mind upgading soon, as I've had the 8700c since it first come out. But I don't want to upgrade in March and then be bummed out in June when the "real" upgrade comes out. The one with the wifi and camera and the 3G and the interossiter and denaturizer.

Ok. So don't get the 8800 then... Is there a discussion topic here??

You do realize that, as an 8703e owner, that the 8800 will be next year for you and the 9xxx (if it's on schedule) will be two years down the road for you? :P

Those two statements don't make 100% sense. If you don't need it according to your wife, why would she suddenly let you buy it at the reduced rate. Surely you have a small amount of fun money left over a each paycheck that is split between the two of you. Take your portion (after the bills are paid, etc), then save up until you can buy a new phone/PDA when a new one comes out.

If that takes more than a few months (we're only talking a few hundred, not several thousand dollars) then perhaps skill reassessment or a better job is in order. Or reevaluate where your money is going each month. This is a relatively small purchase.

I hate to have to be the one to point this out to you, but if a single $300-500 purchase is problematic, in this day and age, something is wrong. This isn't a $60K luxury automobile.

financial counselor, some common sense, and some compromise. You work, you bring home some money, you get to spend a little of (not all) any way you see fit. That's not a hard concept.