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Thursday, June 05, 2008, 10:00 am
Rumor has UK's O2 offering 'free upgrade' to 3G iPhone, more...
Macworld UK is running with a rumor that British wireless carrier and exclusive iPhone service provider O2 is planning to lure customers to its network through hefty incentives such as a free 3G iPhone.Citing "sources," the news site reports that the incentives aim to boost sales of the next-generation Apple handset, following so-so sell-through of the company's first generation phone in the UK ahead of recent discounts because it did not operate on the faster third-generation networks that are more common in the region than they are in the US.
Specifically, it's claimed that Apple will charge only £100 (~$193) for the 3G iPhone expected to be announce next week, but that O2 may offer the handset at absolutely no cost to new subscribers who sign up for its most expensive tariff (service plan), which fetches £75 and includes 3,000 minutes and 500 text messages.
According to the report, O2 may also cater to would-be customers who wish not to be locked into a service plan, offering them the new touch-screen device for the same £269 price as today's model under a contract-free, pay-as-you-go model.
What's more, Macworld UK adds that existing O2 iPhone customers may be lured into an 18-month contract extension with the promise of a free upgrade from their existing iPhone to the 3G model.
Macworld UK has not traditionally been rumor outlet and therefore the accuracy of the report is unknown. However, Ars essentially reported the same thing in regards to a full subsidy over two weeks ago.
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Previous Comments View All
hahahah for free???
These things are getting out of hand. We get ourselves so hyped before these events, its no wonder they always disappoint so many.
Hutcho;1260047 wrote:
To be honest these deals fit right into the pricing plans that are offered by most carriers in the UK and most of Europe.
Yeah, I guess you might be right. Although it fits into convention, I dont really think it is Apple's style, however.
Yeah, I guess you might be right. Although it fits into convention, I dont really think it is Apple's style, however.
Apple still has to compete, even if they have a device that is miles better than anything else on the market.
As I said, free is completely normal in the UK. It's not really free though, because when you sign up you have to take a 12/18/24 month contract, over which your monthly fee's actually pay for the phone. It's not like in the US, where I understand you can buy the phone and then choose whether to take the contract when you get home, or hack the phone and not take it. You physically won't have it in your hand in the UK until you've signed up for the contract.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hutcho 
Apple still has to compete, even if they have a device that is miles better than anything else on the market.
As I said, free is completely normal in the UK. It's not really free though, because when you sign up you have to take a 12/18/24 month contract, over which your monthly fee's actually pay for the phone. It's not like in the US, where I understand you can buy the phone and then choose whether to take the contract when you get home, or hack the phone and not take it. You physically won't have it in your hand in the UK until you've signed up for the contract.
Apple still has to compete, even if they have a device that is miles better than anything else on the market.
As I said, free is completely normal in the UK. It's not really free though, because when you sign up you have to take a 12/18/24 month contract, over which your monthly fee's actually pay for the phone. It's not like in the US, where I understand you can buy the phone and then choose whether to take the contract when you get home, or hack the phone and not take it. You physically won't have it in your hand in the UK until you've signed up for the contract.
No? Not even if you buy it at an Apple store?
sausage&Onion;1260059 wrote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hutcho
To be honest these deals fit right into the pricing plans that are offered by most carriers in the UK and most of Europe.
Yeah, I guess you might be right. Although it fits into convention, I dont really think it is Apple's style, however.
To be honest these deals fit right into the pricing plans that are offered by most carriers in the UK and most of Europe.
Yeah, I guess you might be right. Although it fits into convention, I dont really think it is Apple's style, however.
Why do you say that? Apple still gets its monies. Apple is not subsidizing the cost. The carrier is.
For example, Apple lists the phone for 300 whatever at it's store or on-line. Distributors or carriers would pay about 10% less or perhaps more for large quantities. At that point, the carrier can sell it at list, discount it, or even give it away.
For anybody that thinks they are getting a free phone when the sign a multi-year contract, I have some waterfront property in the Everglades for sale.
Sounds totally legit, and totally normal for EU.
Quote:
ahead of recent discounts because it did not operate on the faster third-generation networks that are more common in the region than they are in the US.
If Apple think that the main reason the iPhone didn't sell well in the UK was a lack of 3G then they're in for a shock.
People love the concept, the technology but hate the overpriced 3rd rate contract that goes with it. Unlock the iPhone Apple, then watch it go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Underhill
People love the concept, the technology but hate the overpriced 3rd rate contract that goes with it. Unlock the iPhone Apple, then watch it go.
People love the concept, the technology but hate the overpriced 3rd rate contract that goes with it. Unlock the iPhone Apple, then watch it go.
You can buy a factory unlocked iPhone in at least 2 countries and there are ways to unlock it yourself.
That Pay as You Go option, at that price with the 3G, will add me to the list of iPhone users.
Doubly quick if it's 16GB at £269. But either way I'd get one. If the 16 is £329, I'll have some thinking to do. I want the 16GB, and £329 without a contract's not bad...I dunno...I'll have to give it some thought if it turns out that way.
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To be honest these deals fit right into the pricing plans that are offered by most carriers in the UK and most of Europe.
Rarely does one pay for a phone over here when getting a contract, it's normally thrown in for free. When you're getting a high end phone, normally you'll have to pay a bit, but even then it's normally free if you take on a big plan (75 pounds a month for example).
Even 269 pounds for the prepay version is about right, considering that it will still be locked to the O2 network.