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iPhone No Longer Available in UK

djellison said:
I disagree - and your post explains why. This is MAC rumors. Not Apple rumors. But realistically, Apple themselves seem to have forgone any reasonable development to the computer products for the iPhone - and in the long term, I think that will be to their detriment.

Doug
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Santa Rosa said:
At last someone that understands you don't get something for nothing in this life. Right on man. Am entirely with you and Im gonna go and get the 3G iPhone when it comes out, no matter what it costs, thats the price of it and thats it.

The number of times I have read on this forum people complaining because its too expensive is ridiculous. If you cant afford it you aint getting it. End of story.

Thank you mr1970 for your refreshing post.
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That's just silly though. If the iPhone 2.0 doesn't compete with its peers then I'm not going to buy it whether it's £0.50 or £500. Similarly, if it blows them out the water then I'm quite happy to lash out an extra few hundred quid on it.
 
Stig McNasty said:
...and we don't know O2s margins, stepped deals with Apple, or any other 'riders'. If the original price was not cut-to-the-bone then there was room to discount and still make a profit.
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Well yes, just not as much as if they were selling it for £100 more obviously.
 
djellison said:
I disagree - and your post explains why. This is MAC rumors. Not Apple rumors. But realistically, Apple themselves seem to have forgone any reasonable development to the computer products for the iPhone - and in the long term, I think that will be to their detriment. One need only look at the delay to 10.5 because of a damn cell phone - a cell phone which still lags behind its rivals massively in many areas.

Doug
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The reality is if Apple focused on the Mac as much as some people want, there would probably be no Apple by now. We've seen what happened in the past when the Mac was all they had. It wasn't pretty.

Somehow with their attention split 3 ways, you'll notice that Mac sales are the best they have ever been. So I guess I'm not seeing the "detriment" yet.
 
Santa Rosa said:
I think Arn and the crew do a great job reporting everything thats happening. iPhone as I think I have gathered is an Apple product. That firmly puts it in Mac Rumors news, its hardly like if there are any rumors and news related to the Mac that its brushed aside and not reported on.

iPhone is very prominent at the moment. Either accept that or just (dont read Mac Rumors - I in no way endorse that though, to me that would be terrible)
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Well said, and ditto. Also, things change--technology especially. Portability, small devices, convergence of functions in the cell phone--this is what's happening now. Whining about the way Apple and Macrumors used to be simply blinds one to the exciting things going on now.
 
Still a little confused

Why is it that there seems to be more complaining about price from those across the pond than here in the US?

Right now the undiscounted 16GB from O2 is 329, in the US it's 499. So in order for the iPhone to actually cost more to the consumer in the UK you'd have to be making 0.66 GBP for each 1 USD your American counterpart makes. And, last time I checked that's not even close to true...

And don't use that exchange rate excuse - your salary doesn't change based on the exchange rate (barring the people who work remotely for US companies, live abroad and get paid in USD.) If the part in parentheses applies to you I'm sorry, that really sucks :(
 
Worried newbie to the Forum

Hi guys...had to join, cos I saw the post this morning...panicked and rung o2 to make sure I didn't lose any services, but the guy I spoke to was completely unware of any changes. So I directed him to the iphone page at o2, when he saw it, off he went to find someone who might know whats going on....then I lost the call !!!!
Now I've just been back to the O2 website and THAT page has changed, and it now says that the 8GB model is available but the 16GB model is sold out.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON ?????
 
DrAtheist said:
We all know ATT got a 5 year exclusivity deal, does anyone know if O2 has similar? It may help answer a lot of these questions...
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can you please provide a direct quote from either ATT or Apple please? i bet you cant. This was said by a news reporter
 
djellison said:
I disagree - and your post explains why. This is MAC rumors. Not Apple rumors. But realistically, Apple themselves seem to have forgone any reasonable development to the computer products for the iPhone - and in the long term, I think that will be to their detriment. One need only look at the delay to 10.5 because of a damn cell phone - a cell phone which still lags behind its rivals massively in many areas.

Doug
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Ludicrous post of the day award goes to...



If there are any Mac rumours, then Arn will post them. I don't see what the big deal is.

Quite frankly the personal computer industry is BORING. Little innovation in the UI and the machines themselves. Do you really want rumours solely about speed bumps? Because that's generally all that happens these days.
 
bigmc6000 said:
Why is it that there seems to be more complaining about price from those across the pond than here in the US?

Right now the undiscounted 16GB from O2 is 329, in the US it's 499. So in order for the iPhone to actually cost more to the consumer in the UK you'd have to be making 0.66 GBP for each 1 USD your American counterpart makes. And, last time I checked that's not even close to true...

And don't use that exchange rate excuse - your salary doesn't change based on the exchange rate (barring the people who work remotely for US companies, live abroad and get paid in USD.) If the part in parentheses applies to you I'm sorry, that really sucks :(
Click to expand...

I read this post and felt that I'd just run headfirst into a wall of ignorance.
 
bigmc6000 said:
Why is it that there seems to be more complaining about price from those across the pond than here in the US?

Right now the undiscounted 16GB from O2 is 329, in the US it's 499. So in order for the iPhone to actually cost more to the consumer in the UK you'd have to be making 0.66 GBP for each 1 USD your American counterpart makes. And, last time I checked that's not even close to true...

And don't use that exchange rate excuse - your salary doesn't change based on the exchange rate (barring the people who work remotely for US companies, live abroad and get paid in USD.) If the part in parentheses applies to you I'm sorry, that really sucks :(
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Taking the VAT (Tax) off the UK price, it's £280 (about $560 at current exchange rates), so it does cost more over here (but not as much as some people think)
The main reason people complain over here in the UK is because we don't have a culture of paying for our phones - you can get just about any phone in the UK except the iPhone for free or nearly free if you take an 18 month contract out.
 
djellison said:
For the phone to really take off, the 3G version must be available across multiple carriers, on both pay monthly, and pay as you go.

But I, like a lot of people, will not pay £250+ for a phone, AND £35+ a month for a contract I simply don't need.

Doug
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yeah, iphone needs to be universally available to all carriers. especially considering the younger demographic that convinces their parents to buy them an iphone, but the pay may be reluctant to switch carriers.
 
Phil A. said:
Taking the VAT (Tax) off the UK price, it's £280 (about $560 at current exchange rates), so it does cost more over here (but not as much as some people think)
The main reason people complain over here in the UK is because we don't have a culture of paying for our phones - you can get just about any phone in the UK except the iPhone for free or nearly free if you take an 18 month contract out.
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Did you miss the part about not talking about the exchange rate? Again, I say, you don't get paid based on the exchange rate. If you (not you but the message above yours) thinks it's stupid that's because you can't just answer the question. What is the average pay in your local currency vs the average pay of an American in USD for whatever your profession is. Exchange rate DOESN'T matter because, again, you don't get paid based on the exchange rate. My pay hasn't gone down because the dollar is *****ty as I'm sure your pay in GBP or Euros hasn't gone up because the USD is *****ty.

Most of the phones over here aren't paid for either. I'd say a solid 70% of the consumer owned phones in the US were less than $50 when signed up with a contract. Now, I respect the cultural issue of not wanting to pay for a phone but unless you pay varies with the exchange rate leave it out of this.

BongoBanger said:
I read this post and felt that I'd just run headfirst into a wall of ignorance.
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I'm sorry you hit yourself on the head, you should really try to stop doing that...

So, I guess your pay has gone down then? Hmm, that sucks. I'm not talking about Apple's margins, I'm talking about the cost TO YOU. If I make 50,000 units of money and the phone costs 500 units that costs me more than if you make 50,000 units of money and the phone costs you 400. It's really a very, very simple concept... Or maybe you think you're too smart to think about simple things...
 
bigmc6000 said:
I'm sorry you hit yourself on the head, you should really try to stop doing that...

So, I guess your pay has gone down then? Hmm, that sucks. I'm not talking about Apple's margins, I'm talking about the cost TO YOU. If I make 50,000 units of money and the phone costs 500 units that costs me more than if you make 50,000 units of money and the phone costs you 400. It's really a very, very simple concept... Or maybe you think you're too smart to think about simple things...
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The wall of ignorance has nothing to do with the exchange rate which is indeed a bogus excuse. It's the rest of your post that's the kicker mainly because you completely ignore the differences between the US and European phone markets.
 
The iPhone is still available

O2 is not out of iPhones, it is still available through their website.
 
bigmc6000 said:
Did you miss the part about not talking about the exchange rate? Again, I say, you don't get paid based on the exchange rate. If you (not you but the message above yours) thinks it's stupid that's because you can't just answer the question. What is the average pay in your local currency vs the average pay of an American in USD for whatever your profession is. Exchange rate DOESN'T matter because, again, you don't get paid based on the exchange rate. My pay hasn't gone down because the dollar is *****ty as I'm sure your pay in GBP or Euros hasn't gone up because the USD is *****ty.

Most of the phones over here aren't paid for either. I'd say a solid 70% of the consumer owned phones in the US were less than $50 when signed up with a contract. Now, I respect the cultural issue of not wanting to pay for a phone but unless you pay varies with the exchange rate leave it out of this.
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The UK National Average Salary before taxes is £21,900 which makes the iPhone (excluding VAT) around 15% of one month's gross salary

I couldn't find a total average salary for the USA, but this site does allow some comparisons:
The UK Average salary for a developer is £28,012
The US average salary for a developer is $64,597

Percentage of one months salary for a UK iPhone: 12%
Percentage of one months salary for a US iPhone: 9%

so, it is more expensive in the UK based on those figures. Of course, this isn't entirely accurate because that's ignoring taxation and the general cost of living differences.

As an aside, my income does actually vary with exchange rate changes as I have quite a few American customers...
 
Not bothering to read through 6 pages of iPhone banter...

...But has anyone mentioned yet, why are the iPhones being depleted?

I thought the plan was to offer the current EDGE iPhone at a much lower price point and introduce the 3G iPhone at the current structure?????

Are we going to see the end of the EDGE iPhone as we know it? Possibly getting a face lift to look just like the new 3G iPhone????

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm".....
 
BongoBanger said:
Well, no because you assume that people will pay £120 for them when you might actually have to reduce the price to £100 - or even £80 - to stimulate demand. You've not stopped selling them - if you have to lose £20 on each unit that's still better than losing £100 - you're just not going to compound your losses by ordering more stock.
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You are really not getting it. You have a dozen phones that you bought for £100. If you stop selling, you will always have a dozen phones that you bought for £100. If you offer them for £120, you will be selling them - maybe slowly, but better than not selling them at all. Worst case, nobody buys them. This is not worse than stopping to sell.
 
Phil A. said:
The UK National Average Salary before taxes is £21,900 which makes the iPhone (excluding VAT) around 15% of one month's gross salary

I couldn't find a total average salary for the USA, but this site does allow some comparisons:
The UK Average salary for a developer is £28,012
The US average salary for a developer is $64,597

Percentage of one months salary for a UK iPhone: 12%
Percentage of one months salary for a US iPhone: 9%

so, it is more expensive in the UK based on those figures. Of course, this isn't entirely accurate because that's ignoring taxation and the general cost of living differences.

As an aside, my income does actually vary with exchange rate changes as I have quite a few American customers...
Click to expand...

Thank you - finally someone pointing out the info I'm talking about. % of someone's monthly salary is the actual cost to the consumer - it's not based on exchange rate. So yes, it is more expensive because of the average pay, not because of the exchange rate and yes, I'll agree that sucks.

I was certain there are a number of people who's business is international and I understand the impact of the exchange rate on their salary but for those of us who "work for the man" we're rather far removed from the actual selling of the products.

So - thanks for the info, I guess I wasn't putting the right thing into Google to get it and I'm glad you realized my point about how exchange rate (aside of those who directly do international business) doesn't affect the end consumer cost of an item (even tho it does inflate Apple's margins quite a bit)
 
BongoBanger said:
The wall of ignorance has nothing to do with the exchange rate which is indeed a bogus excuse. It's the rest of your post that's the kicker mainly because you completely ignore the differences between the US and European phone markets.
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Don't bother mate! :)

There's a few of us Brits have been trying to explain the situation to our transatlantic chums since the iPhone was first announced. I genuinely don't mean to insult anyone but, with the best will in the world, they just don't get it. Many of the American posters on this forum (and many others) don't get it. Apple's management team certainly don't get it and they're really switched-on in other respects. It's like they understand all of the actual words we use, but they don't understand how it translates into consumer behaviour on the high street. It must be some sort of cross-cultural blind-spot.
 
back to the topic...

Anyway, to return to the original topic, which I've been reading with interest...

Firstly, I think the title is utterly misleading, as the iPhone is still available in the UK! As of yesterday, I know of an O2 and C/W store that have 16GB versions available AND you can get them via Apple on-line, shipped within 24hrs.

Also, am I the only person who actually thinks the (full) price isn't bad at all?! I have just ordered myself an iPhone (at full price) as I have been waiting until I know for sure I could unlock it safely (perhaps a little late I know!). I think the problem with the price is if you sign up to the contract, as you don't get any discount for that. Therefore, you're paying the same price as someone who unlocks it (which the UK is not use to).

As I travel with my work and currently have 4 PAYG SIM cards, including the Middle East where the iPhone is non-existent, unless you're prepared to pay well over the odds - this is a great deal! 269 quid for what the iPhone is? Unlocked? I remember paying 150 quid for a flipping Motorola phone less than 2 years ago, which is only a....phone! And the cheapest I've seen the Nokia N95 (unlocked) is 280 quid and personally, I wouldn't even put these 2 devices in the same bracket! I've just replaced my enormous diary, calculator, phone, notebook and old iPod (with the addition of email and internet) for 269 quid. Bargain!

The other important factor is that as I use PAYG in various countries and pay my own bills, the last feature I need is EDGE - let alone 3G! So for people who travel, it's perfect!

On another note, I think Apple have been very clever and actually helpful towards themselves and O2 in the way the contract is set-up. Imagine how many iPhones O2 would have sold if you had to sign the contract "in-store", as you do to get your "free" other phone? I'm sure Jobs knew that by keeping control via iTunes, a lot more phones have been sold as they can be unlocked, so no contract required.

Anyway, I've been reading MR for a while and have always enjoyed the posts - just thought it was about time I contributed! And as far as I'm concerned, it's here to deal with "anything" Apple!!!
 
Phil A. said:
The UK National Average Salary before taxes is £21,900 which makes the iPhone (excluding VAT) around 15% of one month's gross salary
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I'm not sure if you were quoting average household or individual income but Wiki has the verbiage for the US.

"annual household income was $48,201.00 according to the US Census Bureau.[3] The median income per household member (including all working and non-working members above the age of 14) was $26,036 in 2006."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States

Of course that's talking about median - not mean...
 
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