iPhone 4 and the Anonymous Pricing
**PRICING UPDATE** – o2 have now finally released all their pricing for the new unit, as of today at 14:15.
As any Apple follower will know by now, we have the imminent release (June 24th) of the much-anticipated iPhone 4, the fourth generation iPhone (not 4G as many people have been stating, as it still runs on 3G technology, carriers can’t currently handle 4G).
I, for those that know me, will know that I’ll without question be buying my iPhone4 on launch day (not that I’m counting down the days!) With the new hardware and software included in this new unit, it’s a phenomenal device. As Steve Jobs in his keynote speech said, this is the biggest leap in technology since the original iPhone.
However, I have a bit of a quibble. Apple today have released the price of the sim-free device, £499 for the 16GB and £599 for the 32GB version. That’s all fine, and it’s the pricing for people that want a sim-free unit to use on whatever network they want, especially if they’re already in a contract they can’t get out of.
I’m not one of these people. I’ve been a customer of o2 since the launch of the original iPhone. I’ve always had good service from them, and overall have no complaints. I’m one of those people that want the new iPhone as an upgrade unit, therefore I’ll just start a new 18 month contract with o2, and get the unit for a lower price as it’s part subsidised by the carrier. I remember when I had the new iPhone 3G, I had the free upgrade to the 8GB unit, or I could have paid for the 16GB model. I’m more than happy to pay for the new unit, given the amount of technology packed within it – the trouble is, the pricing hasn’t been released yet. How will I know what to do? Whether to change providers? To see what pricing all the networks are offering.
Back at the point of the 3GS release, all the figures I seem to remember were all released at the same time, giving people all the information, all the options available. I still don’t know how much I’m going to have to fork out on June 24th. I like to know these things in advance! Is it just all the carriers holding on seeing what the competition are going to offer it for?
Am I the only one that’s infuriated by this? Please say I’m not! Come on o2/Orange/Vodafone et al, give us a clue what the pricing will be so we’re all informed in good time!
Come on o2, your comments here would be much appreciated!
Richard Heathcote, Voice Over Artist
Good post Richard. I was due for an upgrade a couple of months ago and have holding on for the new iPhone (especially as a new user to it). I have limited resources so am waiting to find out if I can afford the new model or if the 3GS will come down in price. As you say figures are very difficult to come by. Presently I’m with O2 through Carphone Warehouse but everything is up for grabs.
Yeah, seems no one knows anything at the moment Dave. I’m going to tweet o2 on Twitter, see if they can come up with the goods!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Richard Heathcote, Kate Mayfield. Kate Mayfield said: So true! I've hit the pavement, door to door – can't get answers. RT @voiceoverartist iPhone 4 & the Anonymous Pricing http://bit.ly/cZPInb [...]
I was in an O2 shop today asking the very same question, go on gis a clue O2? Can’t wait for the iPhone itself but may hang on to see what happens with the pricing (can you tell I’m not a bloke)
I’m pretty much in the same boat as you, with my contract ending with O2 any day now and I’ll really not sure how much an upgrade will cost or if I will have to buy a handset etc etc.
It’s all as clear as mud at moment. I tried phoning o2 but they ‘robot’ said that the operators knew no other details than what was currently online.
Guys, it’s pretty simple really. As in the trade, i still don’t know pricing but can look at past experience.
Pricing is up by £50 from last year’s models so add that to whatever you paid (if you did) last time. You are only going to get a free handset when you hit about £50 a month on a 24 month deal.
Thank you for that Rob, very useful. I’d guessed last night talking with a mate of mine that it could well be around the £150 mark, but would just love to know for sure well ahead of time!
One thing is for sure though, depending on the price, I think I’ll be going for the 32GB model, given the HD camcorder built in – I can see myself doing a lot more video blogging now it’s become so easy to shoot, edit and upload all from the phone!
Richard,
I was on to our distributors and even they don’t know the trade price yet. What we do know is that O2 are changing all their data tariffs and will no longer offer an unlimited iPhone tethering package.
@ Bryan – Yes, I found that data change very interesting. Spotted it late last night – had no idea that they’d sneakily changed from unlimited. Has made me re-evaluate my current tariff now!
New update regarding rumoured pricing from Vodafone – info above in BOLD
Yeah I’m really not sure about this data tariff change, I’m not sure how much I currently use as I’ve not had to worry about it. Now when I change over to the new tariff and new iphone I’m going to have to think about how much data I use!
Couldn’t agree more! They’ve definitely kept that pretty close to their chests. I think I’d probably be perfectly ok with my current non-wifi usage, but it will definitely make me check more often!
According to the email we received from our distributor:
“Please note that there is no immediate change for existing customers and no practical change for the vast majority of customers (The average customer uses less than 100MB per month, and 97% use less than 500MB).
From 24th June, O2 will offer three inclusive data bundles of 500MB, 750MB or 1GB per month – depending on the business voice tariff the customer chooses. Customers will continue to receive unlimited UK data as a promotion until 1st October 2010.
From 1st October, if a customer needs more data than they get in their bundle; they can buy additional Data Bolt Ons – 500MB for £4.26 or 1GB for £8.51.”
Let’s face it when you’re talking about telecoms there’s no such thing as “Unlimited” without a “Fair Usage Policy” On the iPhone Unlimited Tethering it was 500Mb per day for your £15 per month.
Very interesting indeed, thanks for that Bryan. Much appreciated.
Richard, not sure if you’ve seen the Orange pricing yet… http://iphone.orange.co.uk/plans/
Ah ha! The first proper release of information from any carrier as far as I can tell! Well done Julian, good find. Let’s hope o2 follow suit asap!
Have had reports on Twitter that o2 are launching their prices tomorrow (Thursday 17th June)
11:15am: Still no word from o2 yet regarding unit pricing for upgrades. Will it be today?
O2 upgrade prices are on their website. It’s £20 per month for every month you have left on your contract.
Details are here: http://shop.o2.co.uk/new-iphone/earlyupgradeoffer.html
Yeah spotted that Bryan – luckily am already out of my 18 month contract, so won’t have to pay an upgrade fee, just the cost of the handset………
As of 13:10, there’s still on news from o2. Vodafone and Orange have already declared their pricing.
o2 have now released their pricing – http://shop.o2.co.uk/new-iphone/tariffs.html
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