New iPhone pricing policy a bit... unappealing?

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

Is it me or is the new iPhone pricing policy looking a bit... well.. non-appealing (that's the politest phrase I could think of).

First off, there is the cost. At WWDC the following was announced that in the US;

3G 8GB goes from $199 to $99.
3GS 16GB to be $199 (same as old price for 3G 8GB)
3GS 32GB to be $299 (same as old price for 3G 16GB).
From O2 in the UK we get price rises rather than cuts. For example on PAYG;

3G 8GB stays the same price.
3GS 16GB costs about £50 ($80) more than the old 3G 16GB
3GS 32GB costs about £150 ($240) more than the old 3G 16GB

and on Pay Monthly tariffs where you need to pay for the ‘phone you’re looking at paying an up front cost of around £55 ( $88 ) more for a 3GS 16GB than the 3G 16GB, and £145 ( $235 ) more for a 3GS 32GB than the 3G 16GB was!!!

This price increase is also reflected in the £45 per month tariff where the old 3G 16GB was free, now you have to pay £87.11 ($140) for the phone.

Now looking at Tethering, On pay Monthly tariffs “unlimited UK data and Wifi

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

I agree al.

Not only are the new iPhones more expensive in the UK than the US, but as usual, existing, loyal customers get the worst deal. I'm not happy at the prospect of being unable to upgrade without buying out of my existing contract.

I bought the first and second iPhones on the day they were released. This time, I'm not so enthusiastic. In fact I'm feeling really disappointed and resentful at the whole thing TBH. Sick of being ripped off in the UK.

My cash is staying in my pocket this time.

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

Er, can I be the only one to notice that 32GB is a new thing for phones and is still quite expensive as a solid state device? That cost is out of Apple's control and cannot be a simple case of double the cost of as 16GB device.

In the US:
3GS 32GB to be $299 (same as old price for 3G 16GB)

In the UK:
3GS 32GB costs about £150 ($240) more than the old 3G 16GB

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

Everyone I've spoken to who has the 3G iPhone will not be upgrading. It's a complete rip off.

Instead of charging extra for tethering, why doesn't O2 restrict the traffic to web browsing / email etc so it is not possible to use file sharing sites - thus eliminating the argument that as soon as you tether your laptop to the iPhone you will be using too much bandwidth?

On a lighter note, I do find it amusing that MMS & Tethering will not be available in the USA for several months.

I think O2 will have some very dissapointing sales with this one....

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

Er, can I be the only one to notice that 32GB is a new thing for phones and is still quite expensive as a solid state device? That cost is out of Apple's control and cannot be a simple case of double the cost of as 16GB device.

For the price *difference* between the 16 and 32 GB 3GS models you can buy an *entire* 32GB SSD Hard disk for a PC or Laptop from Amazon.

I know flash isn't cheap, but to me 16GB extra for the price I can buy an equivalent 32GB Hard disk isn't good value for money.

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

I've been put off getting an Iphone. I was borderline wanting one but then I saw the news the other day that said Apple are dropping the price of the old 8gb 3G to $99 (£61). I though 'If that price drop was passed on here in the UK i'll get one'. O2 have confirmed that the price drop will not be passed on.

That, combined with the usual 'rip-off Britain' prices for all the other models in the range has put me right off getting one. Too much money grabbing going on.

I'm probably going to leave O2 all together really as it seems that money that would normally subsidise all other handset prices is now being spent on the Iphone exclusvity deal. I can get phones that O2 are charging £150 free on other networks on a similar tariff.

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

I think O2 will have some very dissapointing sales with this one....

I don't think so, it's an Apple product and it's new, it'll sell by the bucket load.

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

A bit more work shows the iPhone pay monthly tariffs aren't cost effective if you don't use the unlimited Wi-Fi component. Using a O2s own Simplicity tariff in a PAYG iPhone can get you 200 mins a month more talk time, 300 more texts per month ( more if you buy online ), and you still get unlimited web for free, costs £10 less over 18 months, and if apple release another iPhone in 12 months it'll cost you over £125 less to upgrade in a years time.

Details;

£19.58pm simplicity tariff gives you 800 mins, 800 texts (1600 texts if you buy online), and you can add the Unlimited web bolt on for free.
£440.40 - 16 GB iPhone 3G S on PAYG
** Total over 12 months : £440.40 + (£19.58*12) = £675.36 **
** Total over 18 months : £440.40 + (£19.58*18) = £792.84 **

£34.26pm iPhone tariff gives 600 mins, 500 texts, and unlimited web.
£184.98 - 16GB iPhone 3G S on Pay Monthly
** Total over 12 months : £801.66 (assuming paying rest of contract allowed) **
** Total over 18 months : £801.66 *

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

I think O2 will have some very dissapointing sales with this one....

I don't think so, it's an Apple product and it's new, it'll sell by the bucket load.

Unfortunately, I think you may be right... May be UK poor sales would have forced Apple to put a bit of pressure on O2 to pass on the discounts available to US customers.

Never mind - I'll just wait until the next one next year. Who knows, it may even be available on other networks by then.

Anonymous · ‎09-06-2009

I can't believe how badly O2 is treating its existing customers.. I would have to spend around £200 to upgrade to the 16GB version on 24 month contract - that's the cost of buying myself out of the contract. And if I wait until January 2010 when I'm out of contract the phone will be six months old and Apple will no doubt be shipping a new version in June/July 2010.

I've set up a blog to register my disgust with O2. Suggest we all do likewise - and complain vociferously.

http://o2iphone.blogspot.com/