iPhone

[Stringent]

OK I know I am a gadget freak, but I am a bit lost on this one, so maybe someone here can help me out.

I would like an iPhone, but am currently 9 months left on my contract (O2) so would have to buy one outright. Now it seems that there is no 'normal' buy the phone offline deals, it has to go on a brand new contract.

So what is the best way of getting one? I don't mind it being activated and tied to my O2 account, but from what I have read it doesn't work like that and the phone bricks, and I have to stay with the current 'unlocked' software until a fix is divulged for the next one. Also if I get this, I cannot use iTunes otherwise it bricks?

I personally think Apple have shot themselves in the foot with this one, if they made it available to more people they would make more money. I think its the same Apple thing though, the exclusive elusive lot.

So if anyone can clear it up for me I'd appreciate it. Oh for the record I have an N95.

[Salazaar]

That's one of the many reasons not to own an iPhone, cos of the viscious contracts. They're special contract which Apple takes a big cut of, unlike most other phone manufacturers.

I personally think Apple have shot themselves in the foot with this one, if they made it available to more people they would make more money. I think its the same Apple thing though, the exclusive elusive lot.

That's why sales are so poor here in Europe. We're just used to much better deals on our phones.

[wombar]

Might be worth giving O2 a call and asking if you can upgrade your currenty phone to an iPhone. You'll have to pay for it, but I would have thought they'd be happy to sell you one. You might get tied into another 18 month contract to boot though.

[Stringent]

Can't upgrade as I have 9 months left. I don't want to be tied into another 18 month contract again tbh. Too long between upgrades! Its funny how they now penalise you for going to 12months (ie pay extra £5 on top) Hardly customer friendly.

[Funkstar]

Well if you don't want an 18 month contract you won't be getting an iPhone.

Unless you go out and buy one, unlock it and put your existing SIM in it

[Lowe]

I don't think 600 mins, 400 texts and unlimited data for 35 quid a month is that bad?

[Salazaar]

I don't think 600 mins, 400 texts and unlimited data for 35 quid a month is that bad?

I think it's the 18 months at that rate on top of paying £270 up from for a phone which actually isn't as well spec'ed as a number of alternatives, albeit very, very shiny

[TheAnimus]

I don't think 600 mins, 400 texts and unlimited data for 35 quid a month is that bad?

Because the data is quite limited, you can't do many things others let you do (such as VOIP) and because its only 2.5G dog slow too.

[Stringent]

I pay £40 a month, 800mins 400txts, and I don't pay for data either ...

Plus I always say 'never veer away from Nokia'. I did twice and always regretted it!

[TheAnimus]

when you look at what t-mobile are offering at the £37.50 a month mark, the £35 a month for 2.5G data limited useages, and only 600mins...... its not so nice.

[peterb]

I don't know if they have improved of late, but O2's CS were pretty dire as well.

[Lowe]

I dunno, look at it this way. Not everyone is a superuser/enthusiast that lives on their phone. A lot of people out there aren't interested if it's 2.5g or whatever, and the iPhone ticks a lot of boxes for the majority out there.

Yes, it's 270 quid, but then an iPod Touch is similar money really. I think it's a pretty good package and you can't deny that using one is a much nicer experience than other phones.

[mark19632]

I dunno, look at it this way. Not everyone is a superuser/enthusiast that lives on their phone. A lot of people out there aren't interested if it's 2.5g or whatever, and the iPhone ticks a lot of boxes for the majority out there.

Yes, it's 270 quid, but then an iPod Touch is similar money really. I think it's a pretty good package and you can't deny that using one is a much nicer experience than other phones.

I totally agree, I got one for my wife after her old ipod broke and the phone was dying. She loves it and finds it really easy to use and the internet speed fast enough for the browsing she does.