iPhone in the UK - Sums and play?

Camp_Freddy

markymoo wrote: »

Why would they? Pricing maybe, the prices are more than the USA version, and in the USA, they don't pay off the rest of the contract, they just have another price, which is $100 more than the new contract price.

Yes people are in an 18 month contract, so you should agree to that. O2 should have a 12 month contract for iPhone users, as it gets replaced once a year!!!

M

Why would they what? Have a re-think?

There have been news stories both here (check The Register ad the Sky News sites) and across the pond about the outcry from iPhone users and potential customers regarding pricing and early upgrade policies. It seems that this is a PR disaster as least for O2 coupled with a possibility that the iPhone might not sell particularly well this time around - credit crunch etc.

scotty_81

I know it doesn't make a big difference but just remember when pricing up that VAT is going to go back up to 17.5% in December this year and could go even higher. It all adds up.

Think I'm going for the 32gb on 24 month contract. I've been waiting for the camera to improve on the iphones and now it has I'm going for it! So excited:j

richardw

scotty_81 wrote: »

I know it doesn't make a big difference but just remember when pricing up that VAT is going to go back up to 17.5%

Yes, good point, so the tariffs will be round figures £30, £35, £45, £75

Sol00

fiish wrote: »

You're right, and O2 can chop and change the pricing as much as they want before the phone actually goes on sale.

I have a theory that O2 have deliberately put high prices on the table, 10 days before the iPhone 3GS actually goes on sale, in order to gauge customer reaction. After all, if people appear acquiescent to the new, high prices then they could make more money without losing sales (in economic terms reducing the consumer surplus). However, there seems to be popular anger at the prices offered so it is possible that O2 might cut their prices before the phone becomes available.

That's true, but I think it could be another thing.

We know that O2 only offer 18 and 24 month contracts now and we know they're the only provider of the iPhone in the UK. Apple seem to be upgrading the iPhone every 12 months and when you compare the price of the 3GS to the 3G handset, it looks like it's not been subsidised as heavily as the 3G.

What this could mean is that every 2 years there's a minor and a major upgarde. I think that would explain why the 3GS is so expensive as, when the next model comes out, O2 may allow early termination again. Just a thought.

dawson001

What i'm thinking of doing is:
Buying the PAYG Iphone 3GS 32GB for a HUGE price of £538
I've been holding off my upgrade from o2 and will use it to get the £150 cash back if you sign up to their 12 month simplicity tariff (for upgraders only) for only £20 a month.
Therefore my 12 month contract will cost only £90 in total (if I stay within the large limit).

PLUS, when apple releases the next Iphone in 12 months, I wont have to buy out my contract. (The new iphones are a must for me, sadly!)

The only difference is that you dont get visual voicemail, but that doesnt really bother me, how hard is it to press 901?



On a side point, the early adopters of the 3G (and wanting a 3GS) could just "lose thier phone"! I remember reading somewhere that in the T&C's of o2, if you lost possession of your phone, then you could start a "new" contract for another 18 months. Without having to pay off your old one! I wonder if it stated anything about upgrading?

jamfool

Ok a cost comparision:

PAYG for 16GB Iphone 3GS

£440 + 12 months at £10 top up = £540 18months would be:£620
£440 + 12 months at £15 top up = £590 18months would be:£710
£440 + 12 months at £30 top up = £800 18months would be:£980

Contract for 16GB Iphone 3GS:

£184 + 18 months at £34.26 = £801 - if you take out the 18 months at 34.26

£87 + 18 months at £34.26 = £791 - if you take out the 9 months at £44 tarrif then drop to £34.26

So for the 16gb iphone If you want it for 12 or 18 months PAYG is the better option if you only need to top up by £15 or less per month. Anything more than that and its Better to get the contract.

Thoughts?

jamfool

AND FOR THE 32GB

PAYG for 32GB Iphone 3GS

£440 + 12 months at £10 top up = £658 18months would be:£718
£440 + 12 months at £15 top up = £718 18months would be:£808
£440 + 12 months at £30 top up = £898 18months would be:£1078
Contract for 32GB Iphone 3GS:

£274 + 18 months at £34.26 = £890 - if you take out the 18 months at 34.26

£96 + 18 months at £34.26 = £801 - if you take out the 9 months at £44 tarrif then drop to £34.26

So for the 32gb iphone there is not much in it between contract a payg if you would top less than £10 or £15

but I think over all for both these comparisions PAYG generally better if you use less than £15 per month in calls / texts taking into account the free mins/text. + its better as you are free to do it all again in 12 months and not have to wait 18 and then worry about upgrading.

M4RKM

scotty_81 wrote: »

I know it doesn't make a big difference but just remember when pricing up that VAT is going to go back up to 17.5% in December this year and could go even higher. It all adds up.

Think I'm going for the 32gb on 24 month contract. I've been waiting for the camera to improve on the iphones and now it has I'm going for it! So excited:j

but in 12 months time, only half way through your contract, you could, most probably, possibly have a phone that isn't the latest greatest iPhone

As someone else has said, if you're in a contract now, the easiest thing to do, is grab the PAYG version, so then in 12 months time, when the next latest greatest iPhone is released, you'll be out of contract, and can just get the newest version!


M

richardw

markymoo wrote: »

As someone else has said, if you're in a contract now, the easiest thing to do, is grab the PAYG version, so then in 12 months time, when the next latest greatest iPhone is released, you'll be out of contract, and can just get the newest version!

and perhaps sell it on the 2nd hand market for a bit.

Cactus_Jack

I've been waiting for this iPhone. Even checked the dates of the Apple conference that it'd be announced at, and waited for it with anticipation.

However spending almost 1k on a mobile phone contract just isn't appealing. I could buy a 50" branded Plasma TV for less. I'm probably quite fortunate that I could afford this phone either on contract or PAYG. But if I paid £500+ for a phone (32GB) I'd be terrified of losing it or even letting people 'have a go' in case they dropped it! I can't put it on house insurance cause I don't have it.

What happens if I got a contract and lost the iPhone then?

Does anyone know if O2 will discount for loyalty?