The U.K. iPhone 4 Thread

[itf]

When my iPad was delivered, they were saying there were two courier firms involved, and both wanted to get all the iPads delivered the day before release on the grounds that they both wanted a larger percentage of the Apple contract.

In fact, the guy who delivered mine failed to deliver it because I was out (despite a note saying to leave it with a neighbour) and specifically came back because he was on some kind of quota of % delivered successfully on the day.

In other words, the courier firms want you to get it the day you're meant to. Don't sweat it.

 

[iSimon]

yepp they are still offering it until the end of june - as in this month which is useless tbh lol. whereas the one with 3 is at all times and 3 has the best 3G network in UK so would be best to go with them tbh .

The free data offer which ends this month is not the same thing as the unlimited data in goodybags. The free data (which actually has a 100MB/day FUP) is a time limited offer for *all* giffgaff customers; the unlimited data in goodybags is a standard part of their tariff. Unfotunately people tend to get the words "free" and "unlimited" somehow confused and end up misinterpreting what the prices page actually says.

 

[ddrum1458]

I've got my iPhone reserved and I want to go on contract, would I be able to charge the "initial phone price" to my credit card and then set up the direct debit to my normal debit account?

 

[kariminal01]

The free data offer which ends this month is not the same thing as the unlimited data in goodybags. The free data (which actually has a 100MB/day FUP) is a time limited offer for *all* giffgaff customers; the unlimited data in goodybags is a standard part of their tariff. Unfotunately people tend to get the words "free" and "unlimited" somehow confused and end up misinterpreting what the prices page actually says.

but doesn't giffgaff run on the o2 network? and aren't they the worst for 3G? its just that 3 is the same price but better coverage

 

[kariminal01]

I've got my iPhone reserved and I want to go on contract, would I be able to charge the "initial phone price" to my credit card and then set up the direct debit to my normal debit account?

I think you asked this before, if you did, sorry for not answering on behalf of all us . that sounds like it would work, just make sure you have the dosh in your accounts

 

[tazzy8907]

Well giffgaff are PAYG only, but they offer monthly pre-pay bundles called goodybags which include unlimited Internet (and it's truly unlimited - no caps, no FUP). Only condition is that it's handset only (I.e. no tethering or dongle use). The goodybags include 100/300/unlimited uk x-net minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data for a month for £10/£15/£35 respectively. No tie-ins - you can start/change/stop goodybags as you like month to month.

Outside goodybags you get 8p calls, 4p texts and free 0800. There is a free data offer for all customers (who don't have the unlimited data from a goodybag) but that ends at end of June, and then the PAYG data goes up to 20p/MB with daily soft cap of 50p (after 30MB it continues at 20p/MB) - but £10+ goodybag users will continue to have their unlimited data anyway.

Worth taking a look anyway - check them out at giffgaff.com - they use the O2 network and O2-locked iPhones work on them just fine, as will SIM free iPhone 4 - you'll just need to cut down your own microSIM. Feel free to use simon69c as a referral if you fancy trying them out - been happily using them on my iPhone 3GS since January!

Hey, so I'm planning on buying the iPhone sim-free from apple and I've been trying to find the best sim-only plan to use... I've never heard of giff gaff, but the plans sound quite good... the only thing I'm worried about is the network coverage/speed... Are they a virtual operator that use another networks system (so I could check the other network's coverage) or are they separate, in which case where can I check their coverage?

Thanks for the help!!!

NVM, just found on their site that they are part of O2... Might go with them cuz where I live they have good coverage, the only problem is when I visit my mom the coverage over where the train goes is terrible... but then again I'm planning on getting an iPad too, and using 3 for that so I will likely have better coverage on the train with the iPad...

 

[Mrmarkyd]

iPhone 4's already in UK

Just to say my friend works for o2 and he said their warehouse has already had the first shipment of phones mostly in black and limited white

i want white so will be visiting a o2 shop very early in the day hoping to be the lucky one

 

[kariminal01]

Hey, so I'm planning on buying the iPhone sim-free from apple and I've been trying to find the best sim-only plan to use... I've never heard of giff gaff, but the plans sound quite good... the only thing I'm worried about is the network coverage/speed... Are they a virtual operator that use another networks system (so I could check the other network's coverage) or are they separate, in which case where can I check their coverage?

Thanks for the help!!!

the best sim only plan is from 3, they offer the best value out of all the networks, and have the most 3G coverage in the whole of UK. giffgaff runs on the o2 network, a bit like tesco mobile - that runs on o2, and tbh o2 is the worst for 3G coverage. You can take a look at coverage maps from ofcom .

 

[iAttain]

Are Vodafone, Orange and O2 the only 3 networks to disclose their prices so far?

Any word on T-Mobile, 3 and Tesco?

 

[Pushkar]

I agreed with your reasoning (if it was you) about shipping from Asia. But im still a firm believer these are coming from Holyhill business park in Cork, just like my iPad did (that came a day before and my Macbook pro did

EDIT: in that case i wouldn't be surprised to see them ship monday evening

I'm sure that some are already in the UK - But I'd expect them to come from China.

I'd expect Apple to start giving us "Prepared for Shipment" and our Tracking codes Shortly on Monday as it will probably make it's way from Shenzen to Hong Kong and board the plane to Liege, then to Holland and finally to the UK.

 

[outpost]

Can anybody help me out here .....
OK, so I ordered my 32GB Black, which is due to be delivered July 5th.
I'm just out of contract with t-Mobile, and am looking for a sim-only deal,
with Vodafone, Orange, or O2.
So my questions are:
1. I live in the Leeds area - anybody have an opinion to which has the best
reception, or are they all pretty much OK here ?
2. Data limit-wise, it now looking like, Vodafone 1 GB, Orange 750mb, O2 500-
750mb, however somebody posted a suggestion about getting a sim-only
contract with O2 (before the 24th) with Unlimited Data limit, with the normal
sim. If I did this would I need to activate it before I swap to a micro-sim, or
can I hold on until my phone arrives.
3. Finally, If I went for the (O2 Unlimited) on a 30 day rolling contract, and then decided to change to a 12 month, would they then impose the 500mb cap ?

 

[tazzy8907]

the best sim only plan is from 3, they offer the best value out of all the networks, and have the most 3G coverage in the whole of UK. giffgaff runs on the o2 network, a bit like tesco mobile - that runs on o2, and tbh o2 is the worst for 3G coverage. You can take a look at coverage maps from ofcom .

Hey thanks, I actually don't know why I haven't looked at 3 very much for the iphone... haha, planing on using them for the iPad (Probably using those pre-loaded sims from ebay)... so I'll take a look at them for the iPhone as well

 

[ReflexReact]

Are Vodafone, Orange and O2 the only 3 networks to disclose their prices so far?

Any word on T-Mobile, 3 and Tesco?

All of the shops I went into told me they're not getting it for launch. 3 are only getting the 3gs for launch day, and T-Mobile / others due to follow in July...

So that's probably why they've not got pricing out yet

 

[kariminal01]

Are Vodafone, Orange and O2 the only 3 networks to disclose their prices so far?

Any word on T-Mobile, 3 and Tesco?

yep that's right, virgin media are still in talks but wouldn't really expect anything ground breaking from them. vodafone, orange and o2 have announced their prices, pretty much similar. 3 are announcing theirs sometime next week, but they might have their stock delayed till the start of July. T-mobile will launch the phone in July and no news on tesco, but my guess is that 3 will have the best price plan but we will have to wait a little

 

[ct2k7]

I'm sure that some are already in the UK - But I'd expect them to come from China.

I'd expect Apple to start giving us "Prepared for Shipment" and our Tracking codes Shortly on Monday as it will probably make it's way from Shenzen to Hong Kong and board the plane to Liege, then to Holland and finally to the UK.

If you ordered no other things, and just the iPhone, then you're likely on Fast Shippin (EMEA), which means you bypass all of that, and it comes straight from the factory. (That's what fast shipping is, according to an Apple Rep).

 

[synagence]

I think the basic thing is to not call O2 about this ...

I just spoke to retentions, upgrades and customer services and none of would say that if i upgraded to a Simplicity for iPhone 12 months that i would be able to continue to use that tariff on thursday...

They mostly said that they had been given zero policy information on current customers looking to buy their own iphone other than that they had been told that iPhone 4 users should be on a new iPhone 4 contract/tariff

Even when i asked for PAC code they just said they couldn't promise anything and i should call back thursday ... when i suggested this would then render the conversation useless as i would then have no option but to have an iPhone 4 deal then they kinda admitted defeat.

I just wanted to try and get a clear steer on switching to a 12m simplicity £15/m contract on the current unlimited data basis (they did repeatedly mention that the cap won't affect most customers) ... but it seems evident that O2 are in chaos regarding iPhone 4 and unless they're barefaced deceptive they just don't know anything themselves.

 

[stefan109]

Can anybody help me out here .....
OK, so I ordered my 32GB Black, which is due to be delivered July 5th.
I'm just out of contract with t-Mobile, and am looking for a sim-only deal,
with Vodafone, Orange, or O2.
So my questions are:
1. I live in the Leeds area - anybody have an opinion to which has the best
reception, or are they all pretty much OK here ?
2. Data limit-wise, it now looking like, Vodafone 1 GB, Orange 750mb, O2 500-
750mb, however somebody posted a suggestion about getting a sim-only
contract with O2 (before the 24th) with Unlimited Data limit, with the normal
sim. If I did this would I need to activate it before I swap to a micro-sim, or
can I hold on until my phone arrives.
3. Finally, If I went for the (O2 Unlimited) on a 30 day rolling contract, and then decided to change to a 12 month, would they then impose the 500mb cap ?

1. Cannot say
2. I would imagine the unlimited data would retain if it was just a straight normal-sim to micro-sim swap.
3. Yes, I would say that's very likely.

You may want to check out the Vodafone Sim Only £20 12 month deal - 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 1gb internet, and £100 cashback through quidco. Works out at under £12 per month.

 

[jambobowron]

1. I live in the Leeds area - anybody have an opinion to which has the best
reception, or are they all pretty much OK here ?

1. im on O2 which is mostly covered, but the annoying niggly (ironic because they have a advert campaign about niggles on atm ) buts where you lose coverage like outside the halifax (i always lose 3G there)

theres some 3G data coverage maps on OfCom if you wanna check them out, or you could check out the signal checkers on each companies website?

 

[gazmac]

Are Vodafone, Orange and O2 the only 3 networks to disclose their prices so far?

Any word on T-Mobile, 3 and Tesco?

Yes and no. Tomorrow seems the day for the rest. 3 expected to have most competitive deal because they are playing catch up. Tesco might be interesting g offer given their deep pockets but going by previous offering probably nothing scintillating. Sticking with O2 as I can't be doing with all the PAC code nonsense. I'm told with 3 it's a case of good network but ***** customer support. O2 have definitely improved the network in north London in recent months. Now get 3G on most of my train journey to Liverpool Street from Seven Sisters (tottenham).

 

[jamieson87]

Any word on when the o2 shops will be opening on Thursday?

 

[softandy]

yepp they are still offering it until the end of june - as in this month which is useless tbh lol. whereas the one with 3 is at all times and 3 has the best 3G network in UK so would be best to go with them tbh .

But isn't the 3 one limited to 150mb per top up?

 

[iSimon]

USIM as in μSIM (microSIM)

Actually that isn't what a USIM is - so if people are using USIM as a shorthand for microSIM then please stop! A USIM is basically just a normal sized SIM but it is the standard for UMTS networks (i.e. 3G) - they have larger phonebooks and more memory. In the UK some 3G networks work just fine with a regular SIM, but others will specifically send out a "3G SIM", which is actually a USIM.

You will probably find that all micro SIMs are in actual fact USIMs (as they will be for 3G devices), but that is referring to the chip in the middle, not the physical size. In other words a USIM can be microSIM or miniSIM in size - it is just whether the chip in the middle is 3G or not.

 

[kariminal01]

But isn't the 3 one limited to 150mb per top up?

sorry I put this bit in my earlier reply... I was talking about the sim only plan where you get 300 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited internet - can't remember what the fair use is, unlimited:3-3, skype, msn, twitter, voicemail all for £15 a month on a 30 day rolling contract

 

[Gamst]

Do we know if Apple stores will be doing vodafone contracts yet? When I spoke to the Arndale they didn't know. Though they did confirm my reservation

 

[Carnag3]

I ordered mine through apple. What do you think my chances are of getting O2 to give me a micro-sim for my current contract in advance?