Garmin appear to have let slip pricing for the upcoming nuvifone on AT&T.  According to an online survey, gauging customer interest in the combination GPS/HSDPA/touchscreen handset, AT&T are considering a price of $499.99 with a two-year contract, together with a mandatory $19.99 unlimited data & navigation plan and a standard voice tariff.  Considering the cheapest voice plan on offer is $39.99 a month, that would take the minimum total cost of the nüvifone to $1,939.51 over the two years of ownership.

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The survey posed the following question:

“Now, how likely would you be to buy the Garmin nüvifone (for yourself or as a gift) if offered by AT&T for $499.99 with a two year contract? You would be required to have both a data plan that would include unlimited Internet browsing and unlimited Navigation for $19.99 per month and one of the standard voice rate plans for a monthly fee”

Frankly, that seems way too high for my liking.  Almost as though AT&T have bought into Garmin’s hype that the nüvifone is a “proper” GPS mixed with a cellphone, and priced it to compete with both standalone satnav units and touchscreen handsets.  Undoubtedly it’s a special device - few come with 3.5G, WiFi, decent media functionality, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and the expertise of a tested GPS company behind them - but, launching in Q3, it’s tough to imagine the nüvifone overshadowing the upcoming 3G iPhone.