Anyone planning to buy the iphone 17?

[TheForce]

I don't think they give a full 10% veteran discount on all items. If I remember right, it's only 6-7% on iPhones but 10% on watches. Working off of memory, so could be wrong.

They gave full 10% on the 17Pro. A little over $109.90 discount. Same 10% with the Ultra 3 I tested.

Don, you're an Apple Card user. Does the 0% financing require Carrier lock-in, or can you get an unlocked phone but pay over the next 24 months?

I'm debating switching to Boost and taking advantage of the Dish deal, but the plans I see offered don't seem to jibe with the plans I want.

I don't know because when asked what carrier I just answered Verizon. Don't know if that locks it or not. I have no reason to switch as I have an old grandfathered in contract that is cheaper than current plans. Unlimited data a small charge up for international data for the month I travel that now I don't need to use anyway with Starlink on the ship I get for free for 4 days on a cruise. I have 4 phone numbers, 2 iphones and 2 AW, for $120 a month. I was told if I ever need a 5th line I would need to change plans.

 

[rvvaquero]

Every Apple product I have bought with my military discount has been 10%. iMacs, AirPods, Watch, iPhone.

My experience also, but when I went to look at the iPhone 17 this morning, I got a different price structure. The website does say 10%.

The full price on the iPhone 17 is $799

Yet, on the Veteran's page it comes up as $746, which is 6.6% or $53 discount. I'm sure it's a mistake.

 

[b4pjoe]

My experience also, but when I went to look at the iPhone 17 this morning, I got a different price structure. The website does say 10%.
View attachment 185350

The full price on the iPhone 17 is $799

View attachment 185351

Yet, on the Veteran's page it comes up as $746, which is 6.6% or $53 discount. I'm sure it's a mistake.

View attachment 185352

I never priced out the iPhones before today and when I did I only priced out the 17 Pro which does get the 10% discount. Also the 17 Air gets the 10% Discount. And as you said the 17 @ 256 gb gets the 6.6% discount while the 17 @ 512 gb gets like a 7.3% discount.

Edit: Google tells me:

While Apple advertises a 10% military discount, the actual discount amount on an iPhone can vary based on factors like the specific model, memory capacity, and promotions available on the day of purchase
. In some cases, the final price in the military store may not reflect a flat 10% off the public list price.
The following are likely reasons for not receiving the full 10% discount on the iPhone 17 base model through Apple's military purchase program:

• The base model iPhone 17 may have a lower profit margin. Apple might offer a more significant discount on higher-priced or Pro models. A February 2025 Apple Support Community discussion noted this pricing discrepancy for the iPhone 16. The user reported that the iPhone 16 Pro received a full 10% discount, but the base iPhone 16 model had a smaller discount.
• The price may already be pre-discounted. Prices in the military store, accessed through ID.me, are the final discounted prices. The discount may not be a straight 10% off the standard list price on the public Apple website.
• The discount may not be combined with other offers, such as carrier deals or trade-in promotions. Separate military discounts from wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile are typically for the service plan, not for the phone itself. The Apple military discount cannot be used with these carrier discounts.

 

[TheForce]

I never priced out the iPhones before today and when I did I only priced out the 17 Pro which does get the 10% discount. Also the 17 Air gets the 10% Discount. And as you said the 17 @ 256 gb gets the 6.6% discount while the 17 @ 512 gb gets like a 7.3% discount.

Edit: Google tells me:

While Apple advertises a 10% military discount, the actual discount amount on an iPhone can vary based on factors like the specific model, memory capacity, and promotions available on the day of purchase
. In some cases, the final price in the military store may not reflect a flat 10% off the public list price.
The following are likely reasons for not receiving the full 10% discount on the iPhone 17 base model through Apple's military purchase program:

• The base model iPhone 17 may have a lower profit margin. Apple might offer a more significant discount on higher-priced or Pro models. A February 2025 Apple Support Community discussion noted this pricing discrepancy for the iPhone 16. The user reported that the iPhone 16 Pro received a full 10% discount, but the base iPhone 16 model had a smaller discount.
• The price may already be pre-discounted. Prices in the military store, accessed through ID.me, are the final discounted prices. The discount may not be a straight 10% off the standard list price on the public Apple website.
• The discount may not be combined with other offers, such as carrier deals or trade-in promotions. Separate military discounts from wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile are typically for the service plan, not for the phone itself. The Apple military discount cannot be used with these carrier discounts.

Phone shopping is so complicated. More so than buying a new car from a dealer.

 

[b4pjoe]

Phone shopping is so complicated. More so than buying a new car from a dealer.

Yeah no kidding. It seems weird Apple claims to have a 10% military discount but hold on...not on everything. LOL

I contacted Apple to see why some are less than a 10% discount...

The rep said: "The first reason I can think of is that it is not reflecting the correct pricing because it is still not for sale. This may change starting tomorrow for the preorder. You can do the get ready for the preorder but it cannot be with a discount. I am still checking.

Okay! Got the answer! Whew.

Agent's Message: It will not show your full discount now since the military store is not set up for the get ready feature.
Agent's Message: When you are here tomorrow morning for preorder it will show your correct pricing."

I am still skeptical since other Apple products shows the 10% discount but I will check again tomorrow when the actual preorder is available.

 

[navychop]

Phone shopping is so complicated. More so than buying a new car from a dealer.

You mean- you mean: There's going to be a Teslafone?

 

[TheForce]

I contacted Apple to see why some are less than a 10% discount...

The rep said: "The first reason I can think of is that it is not reflecting the correct pricing because it is still not for sale. This may change starting tomorrow for the preorder. You can do the get ready for the preorder but it cannot be with a discount. I am still checking.

Be careful what you ask.


Short story- When I was getting ready to order my Tesla Launch series Y, I got the $1000 Veteran discount in the pricing estimate. I even got a "thankyou for your service" message in my messages app. However, When preorders opened up I executed and the discount disappeared. I asked and the Rep said I have to get back to you. When he did he said There will be no Military / Veteran discounts for the Launch series Model Y unless you are on active duty status. He said the same policy applied to last year for the Foundation Series Cybertruck. Anyway, on the day of delivery, I made a stink about it and the delivery lady said let me check with my manager to see if that can be corrected. About 30 minutes later she confirmed the Launch series had no Veteran discounts, however she said she argued for me and they gave me a years free Supercharging. That is nice but I only ever used it once since we charge for free on solar at home and rarely need Supercharging.

 

[TheForce]

Ordered!

Veteran discount was $110 off retail price.
The order page was 30 minutes late coming on line. The trade-in is credited after you send in the older iphone. There was option to charge to the Apple Card for the 3% cash back just like my other Apple store purchases.

I had to select a pickup appointment time and bring a QR code to scan upon arrival.

 

[b4pjoe]

Ordered!

Veteran discount was $110 off retail price.
The order page was 30 minutes late coming on line. The trade-in is credited after you send in the older iphone. There was option to charge to the Apple Card for the 3% cash back just like my other Apple store purchases.

I had to select a pickup appointment time and bring a QR code to scan upon arrival.

I noticed the 17 base models still don't get the full 10% discount.

 

[klang]

Only took about 10 minutes to come online for my order, I opened up the app when it was supposed to be active. Says delivery on the 25th for now.

 

[Foxbat]

I did not get in to order the iPhone 17 as I currently have a pre-paid carrier and I'm still investigating the Dish Boost deal which won't be available from Apple. Obviously I could just order the unlocked phone but it has a $30 unlocked phone "tax" which gets added to the price Apple advertises.

So, I'll head over to the Apple Store in a week or so to get hands on the phones and check out the cases. I have a feeling that I will be getting a 3rd party case since Apple doesn't make leather cases anymore.

 

[TheForce]

I heard that the Orange 17Pro that I ordered after one day is sold out for next week delivery. October 7-14 now. Other colors are available as of Friday night. The 17 Green color is also sold out. The big surprise was the 17 Pro Max is all sold out as Apple underestimated the popularity this year. The big difference in the PM is the screen size and the resultant additional run time. Otherwise all the other features are similar to the 17 Pro. OK, I forgot you can order the 2TB storage Pro Max as well but knowing from experience what I know is that it is really better to use an external storage if you really need to create that much content. Apple system makes external storage easy through the USB C port.

I was thinking of getting the Pro Max if the Pro didn't offer the 8X zoom with Image stabilization but contrary to all the leaks, the 17Pro has that.

 

[harshness]

Apple system makes external storage easy through the USB C port.

If you're a graduate of the Apple "bristling with adapters" school of thought, perhaps. "Easy" is arguably a MicroSD card.

 

[TheForce]

If you're a graduate of the Apple "bristling with adapters" school of thought, perhaps. "Easy" is arguably a MicroSD card.

I don't consider myself a "graduate of Apple" but I do appreciate the iphone and it's accessories, like the Apple Watch. I do consider myself a fan of 3D and VR. I've created many 3D videos and a few VR as well. My 15PM was two upgrades to the 512GB storage but only ever needed more when I spent a week shooting 3D with it. I just plugged in a flash drive and transferred the content. At the time it wasn't fast enough to shoot to that drive, but I do understand the concept of how to do that in the future.

BTW- have you been watching the latest plans to innovate the iphone? We're already getting there with current technology which is satellite connection to emergency services. SpaceX is working on a future where you will have high speed internet anywhere in the world with your iphone. It won't work inside a structure which is here ground based communication will be required. The SpaceX system will be for those who travel and want seamless service anywhere. Elon described this briefly in the All In conference. He said SpaceX isn't intending to put the carriers out of business but rather add to their service reliability. In the past Tesla has found it much easier to work with Apple than Android systems but eventually Android compatibility becomes available.

 

[harshness]

BTW- have you been watching the latest plans to innovate the iphone? We're already getting there with current technology which is satellite connection to emergency services.

I have, but not with great interest. As someone who doesn't find myself in a position where I need emergency communications more than once or twice in lifetime, I think satellite is an extremely vertical application.

SpaceX is working on a future where you will have high speed internet anywhere in the world with your iphone. It won't work inside a structure which is here ground based communication will be required.

As SatelliteGuys veterans, we know enough about satellite delivery of signals (even in the downlink side of things) not to buy into the horsefeathers of satellite Internet replacing terrestrial broadband -- especially on an individual device basis. Your Elon Kool-Aid level is running high.

 

[TheForce]

I have, but not with great interest. As someone who doesn't find myself in a position where I need emergency communications more than once or twice in lifetime, I think satellite is an extremely vertical application.

As SatelliteGuys veterans, we know enough about satellite delivery of signals (even in the downlink side of things) not to buy into the horsefeathers of satellite Internet replacing terrestrial broadband -- especially on an individual device basis. Your Elon Kool-Aid level is running high.

Ignoring the Elon hatred

FYI we have the satellite communication capability now for emergency connection "SOS" when outside terrestrial coverage. What they are working on is step 2 now and that is text and email communications. Step 3 would be streaming broadband. Elon never said it will replace terrestrial broadband. He said the opposite which is to work with the carriers to offer service where theirs does not cover. It will be up to the carriers on how they market it. Either included like 5G is now, or as an add-on like Roaming is. It's not related to Starlink either. People who bet against Elon are asking to be a loser or don't understand what he is working on.

Details for the AW Ultra 3 just announced:
Apple Watch Satellite Communications Satellite features are exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (announced September 2025), with built-in two-way connectivity for off-grid scenarios like hiking or camping. These work independently of an iPhone when there's a clear sky view. Key features include:

• Emergency SOS via satellite: Text emergency services, notify contacts, and share location. It auto-sends details after a detected severe car crash or hard fall if unresponsive.
• Messages via satellite: Send/receive texts, emoji, Tapbacks, or SMS to recent contacts (end-to-end encrypted).
• "Find My" via satellite: Share location every 15 minutes with added contacts.

The Ultra 3's redesigned antenna and radio double signal strength for connections up to 800 miles away at 15,000 mph. Features activate automatically off-grid with onscreen guidance. They're free for two years after activation (Emergency SOS works without a cellular plan; Messages and Find My require one). No satellite support is mentioned for other 2025 models like Series 11 or SE 3.

 

[harshness]

The Ultra 3's redesigned antenna and radio double signal strength for connections up to 800 miles away at 15,000 mph. Features activate automatically off-grid with onscreen guidance. They're free for two years after activation (Emergency SOS works without a cellular plan; Messages and Find My require one). No satellite support is mentioned for other 2025 models like Series 11 or SE 3.

Again, what are the applications for someone who is of an age such as you are and I'm getting to be?

 

[TheForce]

Again, what are the applications for someone who is of an age such as you are and I'm getting to be?

Depends- As long as I'm able I plan to travel and often be outside of my Verizon connectivity. In other uses the Apple watch has loads of data capability from phone calling to stock market tracking to how much charge is on my Teslas, and health data. all on my Apple Watch.

I'm into technology, fascinated by all it can do. The stuff I do on my iphone, Apple Watch and RayBan Meta sunglasses is just too numerous to list.

I don't think it has anything to do with my age, more about my interests in knowing answers immediately upon request.

example- I just got a message on my watch that my robot is returning to get recharged. It was raking leaves in my back yard.

 

[harshness]

In other uses the Apple watch has loads of data capability from phone calling to stock market tracking to how much charge is on my Teslas, and health data. all on my Apple Watch.

We are in an environment where avocation is having to give way to practicality. If all you get is a couple of features that support extreme hobbyist exploration, is it really worth the upset of getting a new phone?

 

[klang]

Recently had an opportunity to use the iPhone SOS feature. I was leading a hike and one guy had a fall and dislocated his shoulder. The part of the trail where this happened had no cellular coverage. We were able to call in, via text message to 911, medical help and ultimately S&R to wheel him out. Out hiking groups are typically people in their 60's and 70's.

No charge for the SOS feature so far but I expect that to change some day.