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The U.K. iPhone 4 Thread

applemax said:
I'm tempted to buy the new phone on O2 PAYG and do this:

iPhone 4G (~£500)
Unlock Fee (£15)
T-mobile Sim Only 10 (£180)

Total = £695 for 18 months with no commitment.

...compared with the lowest O2 tariff with comparable features (both have 100 minutes, unlimited internet)...

iPhone 4G (~200)
Minimum Term of £30 x18 months (£540)

Total = £740 with 18 month commitment.

It makes no sense... :eek:
Click to expand...

To be honest, I am hoping they do similar to the iPad this year and make a sim free version. I dont see why not. If I am allowed to buy a 3G iPad without the associated shackles, then why not an iphone. Last year the iPhone was only available with O2 because of the "arrangement" between Apple and O2. The only thing that kept me with O2 was the free PAYG internet for a year.
 
Thanks for your replies. It really seems so confusing, deciding what to do! :p

My main problem is that I'm on the original O2 £35/month plan, with 500 texts, 600 minutes and unlimited data. I actually use about 30 minutes and 200 texts maximum each month (but a fair bit of data), so it feels like I'm paying completely over the odds - at least I shall know what to go for in my next contract.

Guess I have to decide whether to buy out of my current contract and start again, or keep the SIM and buy a PAYG iPhone 4!
 
Boblister said:
To be honest, I am hoping they do similar to the iPad this year and make a sim free version. I dont see why not. If I am allowed to buy a 3G iPad without the associated shackles, then why not an iphone. Last year the iPhone was only available with O2 because of the "arrangement" between Apple and O2. The only thing that kept me with O2 was the free PAYG internet for a year.
Click to expand...

I would be very happy with that:)

Alex
 
If you have any questions about which network is right for you and your iPhone 4G, head over to this thread.

:)
 
I got impatient after my 3G contract ended a few months ago and stupidly bought a HTC Desire - good phone, just wasn't an iPhone! So I sold it for just under £400 on eBay, so I'm left with a (now 15 month) t-mob contract for £25 p/m with unlimited internet, 300 mins/texts p/m

I'll be putting that money towards a PAYG 4G plus probably another £150?

All in all, should cost me just short of £900 over the rest of the contract, which I can live with! Plus in 12 months, I'll probably get £300+ for the 4G and pretty much pay for my next one! That's the great thing about the iPhone, it retains it's value incredibly well

Also, my friends and I have a message thread on Face Book where we all just add a message when required, makes organising nights out very easy and saves on your texts and phone calls - works for me anyway
 
Boblister said:
To be honest, I am hoping they do similar to the iPad this year and make a sim free version. I dont see why not. If I am allowed to buy a 3G iPad without the associated shackles, then why not an iphone. Last year the iPhone was only available with O2 because of the "arrangement" between Apple and O2. The only thing that kept me with O2 was the free PAYG internet for a year.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that be a iPod touch?:confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
Anybody got any thoughts on speculation that Vodafone might not offer the 4G iPhone immediately, apparently on the basis that they don't want to hack off early adopters who bought the 3GS only 6 months ago (or less) when it was released on their network?

Is it possible that O2 could agree some exclusivity period in-store a bit like Currys got with the iPad?
 
tibi08 said:
Anybody got any thoughts on speculation that Vodafone might not offer the 4G iPhone immediately, apparently on the basis that they don't want to hack off early adopters who bought the 3GS only 6 months ago (or less) when it was released on their network?

Is it possible that O2 could agree some exclusivity period in-store a bit like Currys got with the iPad?
Click to expand...


Hi

Of course I don't know, but I think Vodafone, O2, Tesco & Orange will all offer the iPhone 4 on the same day. I don't think Apple will enter into a new exclusive with one carrier. (However what happens in France, Australia and other countries where iPhone has been available on more than one network for a while. Do all the networks get the new phone at the same time? I guess they do as its Apple that up to a point set the release date.)

I really don't think Vodafone will hold back just not to upset customers who got the 3Gs from them in the past 6 months. If they did they run the risk that current Vodafone customers who are due an upgrade will leave to get the iPhone 4 on another network. Also new customers who are now waiting on iPhone 4 will not wait longer so they can have it on Vodafone, they will just go with another carrier.

Customers who bought an iPhone 3Gs on Vodafone are tied into a 18 month or 24 month contract. So if a new phone goes on sale this month, there is not a lot they can do. They are under contract. When Vodafone launched Blackberry Storm and it did not work that well, they did not offer existing customers an early upgrade to Storm 2. It was just tuff.

Just my view.

Alex
 
personally I think the networks should of held off till this release of iPhone to save this whole 6 month adopters business. It would of just been easier in the long run I guess but I personally think all the networks will get the new iPhone come the release day it doesn't make sense to not allow all the current iPhone networks not to have it avalable at the same time
 
andybno1 said:
personally I think the networks should of held off till this release of iPhone to save this whole 6 month adopters business. I t would of just been easier in the long run I guess but I personally think all the networks will get the new iPhone come the release day it doesn't make sense to not allow all the current iPhone networks not to have it avalable at the same time
Click to expand...

The issue with iPhone comes from the fact that in 2008 first gen iPhone users got an early upgrade. This was because we had paid the full handset cost and were also tied into a contract. Last year (some) 3G customers, who had got a free or discounted handset with a contract could not understand why they were not getting an upgrade to the 3Gs early.

Maybe Vodafone should of held off until June/July to start selling iPhone, but they are a business and they are out to make money. They are not worried if customers are happy or not, they are worried about making money.

My view is that Apple should sell the handset unlocked and you go to the network for service. The networks after all are just the pipe.

I could be wrong but I don't think people don't walk into a Vodafone store and then think do I want an iPhone, a Blackberry or a Nokia etc. The choice of handset comes first and then the network second.

Alex
 
camperdown9 said:
The issue with iPhone comes from the fact that in 2008 first gen iPhone users got an early upgrade. This was because we had paid the full handset cost and were also tied into a contract. Last year (some) 3G customers, who had got a free or discounted handset with a contract could not understand why they were not getting an upgrade to the 3Gs early.

Maybe Vodafone should of held off until June/July to start selling iPhone, but they are a business and they are out to make money. They are not worried if customers are happy or not, they are worried about making money.

My view is that Apple should sell the handset unlocked and you go to the network for service. The networks after all are just the pipe.

I could be wrong but I don't think people don't walk into a Vodafone store and then think do I want an iPhone, a Blackberry or a Nokia etc. The choice of handset comes first and then the network second.

Alex
Click to expand...
I was one of those customers who had a discounted handset and was expecting some for of discount or compromise on the release from the contract. I was 12 month into the 18 month contract and I clearly remember when I took the contract out that it was heavily implied that come next year the same deal will probably apply. £45 a month for a year paid for that phone. So I went PAYG and vowed not to go back to them on contract again.

I totally agree that Apple should sell unlocked phones. I can understand with the original iPhone where it was a bit of an unknown quantity for Apple. I think they welcomed the hand in had relationship with O2 at the time. Things have changed though. The 3G iPad has proved that.
 
Can't wait for the new iphone, i didnt upgrade to the 3GS and my upgrade was due in january, and i hope it comes out pretty soon after announcement.
 
+1 for PAYG iPhone 4th Gen.

I'm still under contract on my 3GS until Christmas and since it's a nice one at O2 with friends and family discount, i'm loathed to lose it.

This way I can enjoy the 4th Gen iPhone for a year then get the 5th Gen phone as a natural upgrade from O2 :cool:

....at least thats the plan.
 
Hey,

I have been quite lucky with my iPhones - I first purchased an iPhone from the US before it came out over here for £350. I then sold that when the 3G came out for the same amount. I then sent back my faulty 3G for repair and my order was misplaced, as an apology Apple sent me a 3GS.

I am about to sell my 3GS this weekend and hope that the new iPhone will be available on June 11 - what do you guys think?

I have been on o2 simplicty for over 2 years now and love the value - the tariffs are just changed and I don't want to move from the old tariff as I am getting picture/ video and international texts included in my bundle...as well as truely unlimited internet and wi-fi (1200 minutes) for £30! I don't really want to pay anymore than £15 a month for unlimited texts/ internet and say 150 minutes.

As the new iPhone has a microsim, how am I able to use my current sim/ contract in the new iphone?

I have tried all the networks and for me o2 is really good.

Shawn
 
sdm1985 said:
Hey,

I have been quite lucky with my iPhones - I first purchased an iPhone from the US before it came out over here for £350. I then sold that when the 3G came out for the same amount. I then sent back my faulty 3G for repair and my order was misplaced, as an apology Apple sent me a 3GS.

I am about to sell my 3GS this weekend and hope that the new iPhone will be available on June 11 - what do you guys think?

I have been on o2 simplicty for over 2 years now and love the value - the tariffs are just changed and I don't want to move from the old tariff as I am getting picture/ video and international texts included in my bundle...as well as truely unlimited internet and wi-fi (1200 minutes) for £30! I don't really want to pay anymore than £15 a month for unlimited texts/ internet and say 150 minutes.

As the new iPhone has a microsim, how am I able to use my current sim/ contract in the new iphone?

I have tried all the networks and for me o2 is really good.

Shawn
Click to expand...

My "guess" is that it will go on sale on the 18th, the 11th is maybe a bit to soon for the networks to get their act together.

If the new iPhone has a micro sim and you are on simplicity then my guess would be that O2 will reissue you with a new sim on request. If not there are kits you can buy to help you resize regular sim cards.

Good luck selling your 3Gs. I have just sold my collection of Blackberry's so that I have some money.

Alex
 
Well I've done some research, and I'm sticking with O2.

Not only do you get more for your money in both tariffs and outside-allowance rates, but you get unlimited (in plain english: 3000) texts on every tariff.

In terms of data, O2 is apparently the only network to have truly unlimited data. That means, that it doesn't matter how much data you'll use, you'll never get blocked/throttled/limited etc...

In addition to visual voicemail exclusivity, an independent test by Pocket-lint found O2 to be on average, the fastest and most reliable network. However, while this is true, it also has the lowest coverage (~84%) compared to 3 that has the highest.

However, O2 have begun their 2010 network expansion programme and are beginning to increase their network coverage drastically. Furthermore, they are currently testing a new 4G LTE network.

I find Vodafone's plans to be overly complicated, overpriced and highly limited (you only get 1GB a month of data - not a fair use policy, an actual limit). Orange also seems to be similarly limited with data restrictions.
 
I've been waiting for this new phone for a long time! I got a 3g on release day and luckily I wasn't that fussed about the 3gS to whinge about not being able to get it!

So I'm now out of contract and ready and waiting to upgrade! My 3g is certainly starting to show signs of its age now though. Its very slow and very laggy and I'm very very excited to see the new phone!!!!! :D

Just to confirm the key note is 6pm UK time right?!
 
Boblister said:
In a chat with O2 today (see post above), The topic of availability came up. He seemed fairly certain that the new iPhone will initially only appear on contract with PAYG following a few months later. I did remind him of the 3GS in which both launched simultaneously. I hope he is wrong because I will not have another contract for anything.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty much in the same boat! I'm with Tmobile on the old solo 30 £30 for unlimited internet, 1400 mins and unlimited text 30 day rolling contract. Tmobile don't even offer this contract anymore so I can't even afford to lose this.

The plan would be get an iPhone officially unlocked then find some damn way to mircosize my sim (i'm assuming the new iPhone will run only micro sims)

What I don't understand is why Apple don't sell their iPhones offically unlocked at their stores. They should at least retain the right to do so.

Not everyone wants to sign up for a contact. I'd rather pay a premium in one go then to be tied down paying £45 for 24 months. Worked fine when i got my iPad
 
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