I guess the “Device Wars” have officially begun.

Samsung Instinct to Cost $199.99 After Rebate | PhoneNews.com

PRICEPOINT SET...

"How much? $250? I can get an iPhone 3G for $50 less... "

Do you guys think that this is part of EL JOBSO plan... to make seem every other device overpriced???

Of course it's part of the plan. Quite brilliant actually. Why buy a $500 BlackBerry when you can get a $200 iPhone? I mean, all of us here and alot of the general public will catch on to this but you don't see an asterisk on Apple's website telling you how you're going to pay more more for that $200 iPhone in the long run.

Even at WWDC, they never got into specifics. They've come to light now...especially on mac sites... but people (yep, me included) will be pulling out their wallets come July 11th. I know I'm paying in the long run but I think most out there just think it's an 'amazing' deal to get an iPhone for $200 without thinking of the long term cost.

Do you guys think the BOLD will be co$ting more than $199.99?

My guess is that it probably will, but it's hard to say with the price wars that have been going on lately.

In the end the consumers who go out and buy these new cool phones will suffer either from poor software and or issues with these new cool phones. I have had almost every carrier and all different types of "COOL" new handsets but in the end im back to a BlackBerry.

that is true. im always back with the sidekick because of the software.

Who knows, but it's the best competitive price (point).

If it does cost $199 it will be a first! The older RIM devices for sale on ATT cost more. So it would be quite a change from the past.

I was in the AT&T store in Cedar Hill, Texas and sales person told me that the new iPhone would be offered for $199.99 with a new two year contract, new being new customers. Present customers would have to pay $299.99 with two year extension.
The Bold he claims would go for $399.99 for new customers with two year contract. Present customers $499.99 with two year extension and to buy with no contract extension since I'm not eligible $699.99. Looks like I will be waiting for sometime for prices to come down on the Bold.
I think the guy may have been trying to get rid of me, has anyone else heard this?

I'm saying $299 for the Bold with contract. And as for the iphone data, its the same as their other 3G phones now. I want to see the data plan for the Bold, see if they change the price on it.

First rule, never listen to sales persons, as they are often clueless. The $199 price applies to EVERYONE. You simply have to enter into a 2 year contract.

the BB plan is supposed to stay exactly the same. As for the price, keep in mind that every one that upgrade/buys a new device can trade their old one in. Even paying full price i always got at least $100 back from RIM on the trade up program ( blackberry.tradeups.com ) so if the 9000 does got for $300/$400, you can bet ill get it for between $150-$250 with contract.

the 8820 right now is $499 w/o contract so that $299 still looks about right for price with contract to me. I doubt they will drop anything to compete, no need to really, that why i was asking about the data plan.

Argon, also don't forget that current iphone users can get the $199 / $299 deals as well. *not to sound like an ad*

I would feel that the Bold would be priced the same as the 3G iphone to compete with it

They might feel the need to drop the price to compete with the new iPhone. But in my mind, I really don't see why RIM would feel they need to compete with it. BB's are and will always be business-centric.

However, with them trying to be more consumer-friendly, I guess they could go that route.

Pricing is really up to ATT

I think 299 for 9000 on 2year contract new or upgrade after rebate.

What? Why wouldn't they want to compete. If they weren't interested in the consumer market, then the Pearl and now the Bold would not exist in their present form. Please, stop with the stupid talk. Glad you're not running RIM.

You need to make up your mind on exactly what it is you're trying to convey, because right now you're just contradicting yourself.

What in the world?? Why is there the need to insult me ArgonNJ? BlackBerry products evolve...or would you rather still be running a 7290?

I'm stating my opinion which I thought was allowed on this board. If you don't like it, there is no need for rude comments, simply ignore my post and move along.

My post was sort of a 'thinking out loud' thing. Like ArgonNJ so eloquently expressed, I'm not running RIM.

RIM is huge with business users. They are tapping into the consumer market now. I'm sure they would love it if every phone in the world was a BlackBerry so, sure, why not compete with Apple. However, I think they have such a strong hold on business users that it's still their bread and butter.

Sorry, I re-read my post and still don't see how I'm contradicting myself...

Sorry but because the iphone and some Samsung product cost $199, I can not see a trend!

Its funny how the price is $199 for 8GB but everyone keeps saying $199 as if that is the only price. You know most buyers will get the 16GB and the 8GB will go the way the 4GB went.

Next people are saying that the extra $10 for 3G data (required) the extra $10 for unlimited texting these per month costs are no big deal. So $20 x 24 =$480 + $299 = $779 so that is more than you paid for your iPhone a year ago? Was the texting plan different a year ago? Plus we don't have the final voice pricing.

You are paying more over the 2 years iPhone to iPHone since that is the ONLY comparison here. BB's are not an iPhone (thank god or RIM for that) and the iPhone certainly is NOT a BlackBerry. They are different and reach different audiences.

At least you can cut and past on a BB something you STILL can't do on an iPhone a year later and counting.

Voice prices are the regular voice plans. The Texting last year was 200 included in the base $20 plan, $10 add on for unlimited.
The $10 addition for data this year merely puts it in line with every other 3G data plan. Not sure why everyone thinks thats such a big deal. Add another $10 for Enterprise users.

They are more the same than you think, if they were different audiances you would not see RIM advertising on Network TV. They are in competition whether RIM fans want to acknowledge or not. The only way they would not be competing would be if RIM only sold to large corporations, but thats certainly not the case.

the bigger question is will the Bold's data remain at current prices?

I see no reason for the data price to go up on the bold. AT&T didn't raise the prices on the 3G Moto Q9h when it was launched. I suspect ATT is raising the prices because a) they have to recoup the money somewhere for the cut in price, b) data plan is required while you can get a BB without data you just can't do email, BIS, BES, c) iPhone users consume so much data they are going to recoup costs for data upgrades and finally d) Because they CAN.

i really hope that alot of the new phones that are going to be coming out are $199...but if the phone is really really worth it i have no problem paying $299 for it...and most of them do have the 30 day trial for it...at least i know sprint does so im not too worried about it

They increased the price to align it with all of the smartphones that AT&T offers. It's funny watching how cats are complaining on forums about the price increase as if the price is completely new.

what is stated as true or known here is hilarious.

ask yourself why carriers want smartphones in everyones' hands. ask yourself where the money will be made over the next several years... It ain't voice.

It is in ALL the carriers best interest to take a quick hit on a device if they can get you accustomed to paying for a data plan.

RIM and Apple OS/software are as stable and impressive as I have seen in a moble phone... IMO of course.

Of course the $199 price for the iPhone sets a marker in the industry. And it will be hard for any vendor to sell any phone for more than that to consumers, because it will inevitably provoke the comparison with the iPhone. How many times would one hear "gosh, for only 199 I can get an iPhone."

RIM and the carriers may still go with a higher price point due to their enterprise business, where they can ask for more and probably get it.

But if you want to play in the consumer space, 199 is the new ceiling.

I say this as a huge fan of both the BlackBerry and the iPhone; I think both serve their purposes very well. But do not let any biases towards the BB keep you from understanding what Apple has done with that price point.

This post certainly has addressed many issues. My opinion is that RIM is centered around business and does not need to lower the price to compete with the iphone (a child's toy in a major enterprise). RIM has built up a monopoly over enterprise wide phones and is pretty much guaranteed a desire for its newest devices-the bold. Rim appealing to the private citizen market is just for laughs and giggles. They are not counting on the sales to non-business market but will certainly except them. The other major factor is that no other phone does what the blackberry can do. The iphone-what seems to be the competitor-its not comparable. They are meant for different things like the comparison between a mac and a windows machine. Might I also add, to make the iphone cheap, it is no longer metal and made out of plastic. At least RIM will not lessen the product just to make it cheaper.

To relate to the post I am guessing the price will be at least $299 with contract at launch.

Just because Apple prices the US version of the iPhone @ $199 actually does not mean everyone should be compared or priced similarly. I am willing to pay what I feel the phone is worth to me. If its $399 and I feel its worth it I will pay for it, if not I will wait until it drops in a few months.

Everyone keeps saying $199, when the prices are $199 and $299 and we all know most of the iPhones sold will be 16GB so really people should be comparing it to $299 price point.