So lets say that you’re one of the many, many AT&T customers that isn’t eligible for the $199/$299 iPhone 3G price. I can bet that you’re probably pretty ticked off, and would do just about anything to get that cheaper price. Well, according to rumors (I haven’t found anyone to analysis that yet) there is a way. Read on for the scoop.

One of the ways to become automatically eligible is by purchasing a 2.5G iPhone, however, that just doesn’t seem like a great option for most society. However, you can trick AT&T into thinking that you did, in fact, purchase one. whether you have a (very trusting) friend with an iPhone, you can borrow it and pop in your current SIM card. soon after you’ll

just need to plug it into a computer with iTunes and go through the activation process. Go ahead and pop out your SIM and give the phone back to your friend. Now go and check your AT&T explanation page, and it will inform you that you are eligible for an upgrade.

Of course you will still need to find that friend with an iPhone, and form certain that all of their precious input is backed up. During the process you do end up signing up for a new 2-year contract, but you’ll have to do that anyway when you get your shiny new iPhone 3G. Seems like a quick and easy way to save $200.

[via iPhoneAlley]

Original post by Scott Barr