EagerDragon
macrumors 68020
Understand the reason, but .... Would not that kill the sales of the current V1 iPhone?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone UK Launch and 3G iPhone Plans
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Understand the reason, but .... Would not that kill the sales of the current V1 iPhone?
I think quite certainly there will be free upgrading from one iPhone to the next with NO adjustment to the cost of service.
Free meaning no extortionistic fees. Probably full retail for the new iPhone model.
For me to upgrade to a 3G phone, it would absolutely 100% also have to be:
1. A minimum of 16 gb of storage. Hopefully they can squeeze in 32 gb by then, at which time it will almost be a real iPod.
2. Battery life needs to be improved dramatically. No point in having a 3G unit that lasts 2 hours. I'm not asking for miracles here, but the iPhone battery is not the best available. Hopefully they are spending lots of our money researching and improving this aspect.
3. Have some improvements across the entire app collection and UI. Many or most of the basic improvements we all want. These are not desires, they are HOLES in a great product.
Too many people with their shoulders firmly against Apple cheeks like to criticize people who say that the iPhone "should" have this or that. I beseech you. There is a big difference between wanting a photobooth app or video chat app, and wanting Mail to have a delete all messages button. Big difference.
Free meaning no extortionistic fees. Probably full retail for the new iPhone model.
For me to upgrade to a 3G phone, it would absolutely 100% also have to be:
1. A minimum of 16 gb of storage. Hopefully they can squeeze in 32 gb by then, at which time it will almost be a real iPod.
2. Battery life needs to be improved dramatically. No point in having a 3G unit that lasts 2 hours. I'm not asking for miracles here, but the iPhone battery is not the best available. Hopefully they are spending lots of our money researching and improving this aspect.
3. Have some improvements across the entire app collection and UI. Many or most of the basic improvements we all want. These are not desires, they are HOLES in a great product.
Too many people with their shoulders firmly against Apple cheeks like to criticize people who say that the iPhone "should" have this or that. I beseech you. There is a big difference between wanting a photobooth app or video chat app, and wanting Mail to have a delete all messages button. Big difference.
What would be the alternative, wait until sales dwindle on their own, and THEN announce a new product 6 months in the waiting?
This is precisely the problem with announcing products and its why Apple does not do it, with the iPhone being the legal exception. It will be interesting to say the least to see how they handle it. My guess is they will announce in Jan, and cross their fingers that it doesn't kill sales completely.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
I don't know... 3G just seems a lot of buzz word hype right now.
If battery is as crap as has been reported (never used 3G personally) and device footprint needs to increase in size to accommodate 3G... remind me, again, why I would want 3G?
So I can purchase music from iTS, faster? 🙄
I am really enjoying my iPhone, EDGE and all. Short of 3rd party compatibility, I have no issues with battery, page load speeds (yes, even on EDGE) and/or overall performance.
The few things I'd like to see a v2 address are: 3rd party-friendliness, hard disc mode (more than any, lacking feature - for me, this one is brutal... requiring me to STILL carry around a jump drive), cut & paste, camera that also captures video, no easily marred chrome border (more like that of the Touch), and the back of the device not as slick. I don't list more storage as 1) so far, I am managing fine with 8GB and 2) larger storage is inevitable.
I can't imagine a new iPhone coming out and AT&T/Apple making their early adopters wait for their contracts to expire before upgrading. Pretty sure they will allow current iPhone users to upgrade (at full price of device, no doubt) and contracts will start over on that day. Honestly, think of the serious $ they would miss out on if they make early adopters wait.
If battery is as crap as has been reported (never used 3G personally) and device footprint needs to increase in size to accommodate 3G... remind me, again, why I would want 3G?
So I can purchase music from iTS, faster? 🙄
I am really enjoying my iPhone, EDGE and all. Short of 3rd party compatibility, I have no issues with battery, page load speeds (yes, even on EDGE) and/or overall performance.
The few things I'd like to see a v2 address are: 3rd party-friendliness, hard disc mode (more than any, lacking feature - for me, this one is brutal... requiring me to STILL carry around a jump drive), cut & paste, camera that also captures video, no easily marred chrome border (more like that of the Touch), and the back of the device not as slick. I don't list more storage as 1) so far, I am managing fine with 8GB and 2) larger storage is inevitable.
I can't imagine a new iPhone coming out and AT&T/Apple making their early adopters wait for their contracts to expire before upgrading. Pretty sure they will allow current iPhone users to upgrade (at full price of device, no doubt) and contracts will start over on that day. Honestly, think of the serious $ they would miss out on if they make early adopters wait.
There are 3g phones with great battery life that make the iphone look like a brick. W880 for instance and that's almost a year old. My new nokia 6500 classic is another.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
FCC approval forced Apple's hand with the initial MWSF announcement/debut.
This time around, Apple will not have any "coming in 6 months" announcement. It will be more the standard Apple produce release: more light switch, more 'out-of-the-blue.'
Filing for FCC approval on 3G (I'm guessing they would have to do so), and those filings being made public, don't matter (aka: don't ruin any 'surprise'). Apple publicly stated they are working on 3G. It's coming. I'd guess Spring '08 in U.S. Fall for the rest of the world (mirroring the lag between the U.S. and other countries with gen 1 availability).
No. 3G has nothing to do with Verizon at all. The iPhone will not be on verizon due to Apple's contract with At&T.
The W880 is 2mm thinner than the iPhone and does not have anywhere near as big a screen, no wireless, much smaller battery etc.
3G/EDGE is not a zero sum game. A 3G radio alone does not add bulk and so on. The thing is that with a screen as big as the iPhones, Wifi, a proper web browser and the fact that it is an iPod which means people expect to play music/video on it for hours means that the iPhone needs a much larger battery than your bog standard 3G phone which is what the W880 is.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
Ah, good to know.
As long as battery performance and footprint don't take a hit, I'm all for faster speeds.
lazyrighteye
Contributor
Not necessarily.
I know an engineer at AT&T here in Denver that claims their 3G is up (not yet public) and smoking. They also claim a 3G iPhone will show up (in the U.S.) this spring.
I assume the 2 announcements will coincide.
taylorwilsdon
macrumors 68000
Verizon's EVDO is absolutely 3G and Rev A is lightyears ahead of the GSM carriers, who have extremely limited rollout of HSDPA in some small markets.
Here in seattle, we have 3g with cingular and it was great with my 8525. The problem was, anytime I wasn't directly around the 3g towers I would revert back to crappy edge, whereas verizon's coverage was more complete.
They suck though (verizon)
phillipjfry
macrumors 6502a
With my contract expiring with verizon next may, I do plan on making a hop to the 
store for my iPhone. I would love to see what happens to the market between now and then (with all these rumors, there's no telling what the iphone might be)
Let the market grow, Apple, and make peace with the iPhone devs. They will help your product sell so much more
store for my iPhone. I would love to see what happens to the market between now and then (with all these rumors, there's no telling what the iphone might be)Let the market grow, Apple, and make peace with the iPhone devs. They will help your product sell so much more
lazyrighteye
Contributor
Agreed.
Of all of the U.S. carriers I've had (T-Mobile, VZW & AT&T), VZW were the sneakiest, most deceptive of the lot.
Granted, everyone can give you horror stories about any carrier. Fact is, the whole system, here, is so incredibly flawed.
That said, and so far, I have had as enjoyable an experience with AT&T as with any 'service provider.'
But now we're getting off track...
emotion
macrumors 68040
You can stay with your traditional-phone until then. Me, I'm getting an iPhone on launch then upgrading when the new one comes in a year.
At least O2 will have sorted their 3G coverage by then.
A win win for me. 🙂
Good point - I suppose the thing with the original iPhone was keeping the whole thing secret. As you say, everyone knows a 3G iPhone is coming - and presumably there won't even be any significant changes to the external appearance. No doubt any changes other than having 3G will be software. I guess people will still use FCC info to predict fairly accurately when a 3G iPhone will go on sale.
Well unless I can use a payg sim in an iphone, I won't be getting one, simple fact for me is that I want a better contract, I buy a mobile phone for phone calls, not as a mobile internet hub. O2 have made the contracts so that they get more money from the consumer, bundle a load of data onto a phone which is slow by UK standards so anybody used to 3G will get sick of using it for web browsing after the first few months and will use clouds wifi (oh look o2 saves money), people start using the phone and realise they're out of minutes, upgrade to next package or pay for calls - more money for o2.
Plus I don't think the iphone is worth £280 (iirc), not on a £35+ contract - is the os and multi-touch really worth that much more (well more when you consider how old the rest of the phone tech is), in my opinion no, especially considering any additional apps are going to cost money (wait and see - they will). You can get lots of other phones which are just as capable, some just as nice looking as the iPhone but they can be had for free on £35+ contracts. Oh and don't forget the fact it can't be unlocked!
In my view this particular model is purely a money making exercise for apple and o2 in the UK, because no matter how poor value the iPhone really is theres going to be hundreds (or more) people who look at it and go 'oooohh thats pretty'
Yes the apple halo has worn off when viewing the iPhone and yes I do like apple products but I'm not stupid when it comes to spending money on something which you could say is a throw away purchase for most.
Plus I don't think the iphone is worth £280 (iirc), not on a £35+ contract - is the os and multi-touch really worth that much more (well more when you consider how old the rest of the phone tech is), in my opinion no, especially considering any additional apps are going to cost money (wait and see - they will). You can get lots of other phones which are just as capable, some just as nice looking as the iPhone but they can be had for free on £35+ contracts. Oh and don't forget the fact it can't be unlocked!
In my view this particular model is purely a money making exercise for apple and o2 in the UK, because no matter how poor value the iPhone really is theres going to be hundreds (or more) people who look at it and go 'oooohh thats pretty'
Yes the apple halo has worn off when viewing the iPhone and yes I do like apple products but I'm not stupid when it comes to spending money on something which you could say is a throw away purchase for most.
chicagostars
macrumors regular
More Info?
I'm glad to hear a few anecdotes from people who ACTUALLY OWN iPhones in regards to their connection speeds on EDGE vs. WiFi and whether they feel 3G would be in any way helpful to them. Do any other iPhone owners out there have an experience to share?
I'm glad to hear a few anecdotes from people who ACTUALLY OWN iPhones in regards to their connection speeds on EDGE vs. WiFi and whether they feel 3G would be in any way helpful to them. Do any other iPhone owners out there have an experience to share?
emotion
macrumors 68040
A general comment. The iPhone threads seem to be populated by teenagers who still live at home with their parents. These high-end (by cost) phones aren't aimed at this market. That's not to say kids won't buy them but I see a lot of complaining from this kind of person.
Me, I'm in my 30s, have no kids and a job. I suspect I'm more the market Apple, at least at first, is aiming at. If people bear that in mind all the people decrying the failure of the first gen iPhone in the UK might actually consider it might be the success that O2 are banking on it being.
Now if the Google announcement (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7078921.stm) gives Apple the kick up the ass to open the thing up more to devs (which they appear to planning on doing btw., officially) then all will be sweet in my book.
Me, I'm in my 30s, have no kids and a job. I suspect I'm more the market Apple, at least at first, is aiming at. If people bear that in mind all the people decrying the failure of the first gen iPhone in the UK might actually consider it might be the success that O2 are banking on it being.
Now if the Google announcement (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7078921.stm) gives Apple the kick up the ass to open the thing up more to devs (which they appear to planning on doing btw., officially) then all will be sweet in my book.
for the record....
i was one of the 'not until 3g' gang until last week. gave in and got a mate to bring an iPhone back from LA. £200 and no stupid contract.
i'm currently in a part of glasgow (visiting) with terrible GPRS and i'm still not wishing i had 3g. honestly decent GPRS / EDGE coverage is great on this thing. i also have to use a decent blackberry supplied by work, so i know about business needs.
lastly, the one gripe, albiet small is that the battery is ok, but just ok. i certainly would find it pretty lousy if it was fitted with 3g.
my two pence.
i was one of the 'not until 3g' gang until last week. gave in and got a mate to bring an iPhone back from LA. £200 and no stupid contract.
i'm currently in a part of glasgow (visiting) with terrible GPRS and i'm still not wishing i had 3g. honestly decent GPRS / EDGE coverage is great on this thing. i also have to use a decent blackberry supplied by work, so i know about business needs.
lastly, the one gripe, albiet small is that the battery is ok, but just ok. i certainly would find it pretty lousy if it was fitted with 3g.
my two pence.
I'm in my late 20's so I would be the same target audience and look at my views above 😀
See different views from the same age/market group range.
emotion
macrumors 68040
Ah yes but Apple's device is a data-centric one (yes even with EDGE the coverage for me is better than 3G), I consider it more a hint at the future of mobile computing. You clearly just need a trad mobile phone. There's a huge market filled with traditional phones. Go and get one of them.
Now, I'm not saying that the iPhone is a bargain and I'm not saying it has broad appeal but it _does_ have appeal and some of us consider the pricing, while not great, to be affordable and worth going for.
You're right though we all have our opinions.
garybUK
Guest
I love the people who say how rubbish 3G is when they have never used it, or never used it properly.
European providers now provide 3G speeds of between 4 - 7 mbps (Vodafone, Orange, O2, Three (Rolling out)) on their cell networks.
I Use a K850i on O2, N95 and USB Modem on Vodafone.
3G IS A KILLER DEAL HERE!!! Look at what Nokia are doing, all the networks are going nuts over their over-the-air music store because the infrastructure here can handle high speed downloads.
Granted 3G hasn't got the penetration as general GSM but that's being addressed.
BTW 3G in Europe runs on 2100mhz, 3G in the states runs on 1700mhz on T-Mobile and 1900mhz on AT&T 3G
Also if u think verizon / sprint are better than GSM just look at who makes your handsets.... oooh all those lovely feature filled Korean handsets because they are the only other people who use that standard 😛
It also shows the fact they are only expecting to sell couple hundred thousand units because of the hype until they get the full featured ones next year 🙂
European providers now provide 3G speeds of between 4 - 7 mbps (Vodafone, Orange, O2, Three (Rolling out)) on their cell networks.
I Use a K850i on O2, N95 and USB Modem on Vodafone.
3G IS A KILLER DEAL HERE!!! Look at what Nokia are doing, all the networks are going nuts over their over-the-air music store because the infrastructure here can handle high speed downloads.
Granted 3G hasn't got the penetration as general GSM but that's being addressed.
BTW 3G in Europe runs on 2100mhz, 3G in the states runs on 1700mhz on T-Mobile and 1900mhz on AT&T 3G
Also if u think verizon / sprint are better than GSM just look at who makes your handsets.... oooh all those lovely feature filled Korean handsets because they are the only other people who use that standard 😛
It also shows the fact they are only expecting to sell couple hundred thousand units because of the hype until they get the full featured ones next year 🙂