Fri, 12 Jun 2009 Half of iPhone users to wait out O2 contract

Slinky said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

It's not outrage.

We're sitting it out because of our perfectly reasonable understanding of the terms of a contract that always was to last 18 months. Most of us still have six months to go and will happily while that time away with the stunning iPhone 3.0 software update.

evangelist said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

O2 are foolish. im waiting for Vodaphone to get the iPhone probably towards end of year when my contract expires. O2 have lost me as a customer.

PeterE said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Don't fully understand why 02 are being so vilified. Obviously if we want to upgrade early from a subsidised phone we have to pay out contract - it was ever thus. 02 are actively encouraging 3g owners to stick with their current phones - both on their website and on the phone with customer service reps.

Stefan said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

O2 say it's because we have to pay the subsidy. But if that were true, there would be an option to pay off the remaining subsidy.

The real reason is they want to force people into long contracts, and the iPhone is just bait.

The point isn't that we signed a contract. The point is that O2 have generated so much bad feeling that customers are now actively trying to leave them, even just on principle.

The more they tried to lock people in, the more people want to leave. Even the Mafia know: squeeze, but not too hard.

Simon said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

The exclusive with O2 is plain stupid. Many rural dwellers are not able to even consider an iPhone as O2 has lousy coverage outside of large towns and cities.

When Orange get it, then I may consider, besides, the N97 looks to be a far better bet with its proper keyboard and 16:9 display

Kevin said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

@Stefan

Exactly.

Kevin said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Slinky must work for Apple or o2. "stunning 3.0 software up date". I'm running 3.0 (7a341) and there are some nice touches in there definately worth updating but "stunning" not so sure.

Rob said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

The trouble is, once you've tasted an iPhone you never want to go back. I suspect that's why there's so much 'outrage' among certain O2 subscribers - they love the idea of leaving O2 but can't stand the thought of not being able to use their iPhones, especially that the much-rumoured end to O2's exclusivity hasn't actually happened.

Jan said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

I too agree with @Stefan - I would have no problem paying off the remaining subsidy. As it is, I will skip the 3G S (much to my disappointment) and then avoid O2 at all costs.

As for @Slinky - it so is outrage in my case ...

Jan said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

I too agree with @Stefan - I would have no problem paying off the remaining subsidy. As it is, I will skip the 3G S (much to my disappointment) and then avoid O2 at all costs.

As for @Slinky - it so is outrage in my case ...

Nevis said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

>>O2 say it's because we have to pay the subsidy. But if that were true, there would be an option to pay off the remaining subsidy. >>

Er Yes...and thats just what they are doing by charging until the end of the contract. compare the price of PAYG phones from The Apple Store with the price you paid for your phone, with contract, from O2. Its obviously heavily subsidised and so you really can't expect O2 to let you upgrade at no cost.
Just take a look at the AT&T rates in the US and compare like with like - minutes, texts and data rates show that the o2 deals are in fact much better. Go and get cheaper rates with a cheaper crappy phone, don't feel so hard done by

@Kevin said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

You must work for Orange or T-Mobile.

See - it's rather silly posting things like that isn't it.

Craikeybaby said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

I don't see why people are getting so worked up about it. No other carrier would let you finish your contract early without buying out the rest, just because you want the latest handset.

The only thing O2 may have done wrong is not offering a 12 month contract, but then people would complain that the handset price was too expensive!

If you want the freedom to change your handset at will PAYG is the way forward.

@@Kevin said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

"You must work for Orange or T-Mobile." - I love these dumb arse comments.

If you don't agree with someone's opinion they "must" be working for M$/Firefox/Linux Distro/Opera/Orange/T-Mobile/any other company.*

*Delete as necessary. Your lobotomy cannot be reversed.

Miyagi said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Here we go ahead people who like to complain and moan. If you have a Nokia N95 Silver handset and they bring out a Nokia N95 8GIG Black handset, and your within a contract. You don't expect all networks to simply end your contract early for you and upgrade to the new handset straight away do you?? Get real people and stop your constant crying. You buy a BMW 1 series, BMW introduces another one, and you expect BMW to give you a free update? Stop CRYING PEOPLE and get OVER IT. lol

Miyagi said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Here we go ahead people who like to complain and moan. If you have a Nokia N95 Silver handset and they bring out a Nokia N95 8GIG Black handset, and your within a contract. You don't expect all networks to simply end your contract early for you and upgrade to the new handset straight away do you?? Get real people and stop your constant crying. You buy a BMW 1 series, BMW introduces another one, and you expect BMW to give you a free update? Stop CRYING PEOPLE and get OVER IT. lol

rusty said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

O2 are just plain profiteering and won't even sell the hanset at the equivelant of the $199 US price crazy I would but one and swap my sim. Roll on Voda getting the iphone and stuffO2

bob said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

LOL rusty KEEP DREAMING WHY WOULD APPLE WANT TO GIVE VODA IN THE UK THE IPHONE WHEN APPLE AND O2 HAVE A MULTI YEAR AGREEMENT? GO TO VODA AND GET THE BLACKBERRY STORM THATS EXCLUSIVE TO THEM.

zaza said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

I WANT I PHONE BUT I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE THE FIRST GENERATION IPHONE AND WILL WAIT TILL IT IS ON OTHER NETWORKS AND CHEAPER. I STILL BLAME APPLE FOR THAT AS IT SHOULD BE SOLD FROM APPLE STORES TO ANYONE ANY NETWORK NO CONTRACT AND I PROMISE APPLE WOULD SELL A LOT MORE. I KNOW 5 FRIENDS WHO WANTS IPHONE BUT DONT WANT O2 OR IT IS TOO MUCH FOR PAY AS YOU GO.

@ZAZA said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

Remember, Apple are into niche markets and fleecing customers - not what is best for you.

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

It works out cheaper for me to get it on PAYG and I will be getting the 3GS this way.

I hate the fact that people are giving O2 a hard time they are a business after all.

Of course the iPhone costs a lot, I won't list all the tech but if you just wanted a phone get something else. The iPhone does so much more than just being a phone.

Pricing. Apple is a US company and so prices in $. When the iPhone 3G came out last year out the exchange rate was around $2 to £1. Now it's around $1.65 quite a significant drop and certainly not in our favour. This means it has become more expensive for us. In fact I think Apple have fixed their rate at around $1.5 as the exchange rates have fluctuated a lot recently. Look at the exchange rates on something like bbc.co.uk over the last twelve months to see what I mean.

People keep comparing this $199 and $299 figure. Have you even tried doing the sums?

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

They charge $30 a month for data. The lowest call plan is $39.99 for 450 roll over minutes and you get zero texts. for 200 it's an extra $5. So the lowest package you can get with texts will set you back will be $75=£46.88 and that doesn't include tax. Oh that $199/$299 figure needs sales tax added too.

What really annoys me about this complaining is that you are all comparing it to an 18month contract when you should be comparing it to a two year. Two year contracts are the standard in US.

So if I were to buy a similarly priced 2yr package with O2 ie £45 over a two year period for the 32GB 3GS I would get the phone for £96.89=$159.87 and that is for the 32GB not the 16GB model that is priced at $199+taxes. In fact to get a contract as close to the £45 O2 one I would have to pay $95/£57.58 a month + taxes and you get 300 fewer minutes (but the AT&T ones do roll over) and 300 fewer texts too.

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

People are also going on about O2 being unfair letting you upgrade early from the 2G to 3G but not for the new 3GS. People need to learn about what a subsidised and un-subsidised phone is.

They don't have to give us diddly but there are early upgrade options if you check out their website. This is an excerpt

All O2 Pay Monthly customers are part of O2 Priority List and those paying £35 or more a month, have the opportunity to upgrade early. Customers won't have to see out the full term of their existing contract before being eligible for an upgrade.

All customers continually spending over a minimum of £80.00 a month, receive a 6 month early upgrade
All customers continually spending over a minimum of £50.00 a month, receive a 3 month early upgrade
All customers continually spending a minimum of £35.00 a month, receive a 1 month early upgrade

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

I have to say those who go on about phones like the N series nokia's, you should try the iphone. I love technology and all these great features like GPS and x megapixel cameras but honestly does it work properly. I have owed the N95, N95 8GB and N96 and you know what, they always let me down. I will probably get the N97 too but to be honest I know it will be an improvement on the previous model but as much as it has a load of great features I just don't see myself using them as much. I mean the original N95, that implementation of sat nav was a joke for me. By the time it locked onto my location the battery was practically dead, I hated that flash and the interface was clunky. Each time a new model came out it was specs specs specs and what I was looking for was performance performance performance.

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

If the iPhone is such a bad phone why is every phone manufacturer chasing it? I'm sorry but the iPhone has changed the rules of the game. Features are no use without function. If I just wanted a phone I'd have kept my Nokia 6310i, great battery and call quality and it was robust as hell. But I'm an Apple man and love my iPhone. But Apple does that to you. How excited do I get when Dell brings out a new PC?! Of course there is an element of marketing hype but hype only lasts for so long. For me the iPhone is the true meaning of a convergence device, because I can actually use 99% of the features.

Now feel free to shoot me down!

Wunidge said on Fri, 12 Jun 2009

If the iPhone is such a bad phone why is every phone manufacturer chasing it? I'm sorry but the iPhone has changed the rules of the game. Features are no use without function. If I just wanted a phone I'd have kept my Nokia 6310i, great battery and call quality and it was robust as hell. But I'm an Apple man and love my iPhone. But Apple does that to you. How excited do I get when Dell brings out a new PC?! Of course there is an element of marketing hype but hype only lasts for so long. For me the iPhone is the true meaning of a convergence device, because I can actually use 99% of the features.

Now feel free to shoot me down!

akim said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

o2 they suck i wish one day apple gets vodaphone for uk even their network is fast they treated people like trash bins people who pays their wages man they suck baaaad network

Jonathan said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

@Kevin, @Stefan, Totally agree. I understand subsidy, & have no problem to pay off the subsidy if I want to upgrade. What I object to in the strongest terms is that if I upgraded I still stay with O2, why do I have to pay out the % of network charges for the phone? Treat me like an adult who understands subsidy and just give every iPhone user an individual cost to cover the cost of their iPhone 3G subsidy from their previous contract then they are back to level playing field for choosing to upgrade. I want to upgrade my iPhone every year to the new model, I will pay the % of subsidy to cover this, I am not paying £315 to get out my contract to renew with you. Be honest, as an Orange customer I've enjoyed being on O2, but this has soured the otherwise good memories. By taking this stand you alienate a huge portion of people, O2, Apple & consumers lose. You’re better and smarter than this and you know it!

Slinky said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

The thing is that O2 hasn't said "it's to pay off the subsidy" they've just said it's to pay off the contract.

And no I don't work for o2 or apple. Dolt! And I have got the 3.0 update. As has everone in the developer connection or access to bit torrent and a bit of savvy. And I think it's pretty darn good myself.

I'm happy to skip this iPhone. It's clearly an incremental upgrade and is being marketed as such. My opinion is that everyone who is venting anger and outrage is being unreasonable and most of the comments are bordering on childish.

Although i do agree that the iPhone should be on more networks than o2.

jamesthekat said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

I'm selling my iPhone 3g. Should get £250 in eBay for it. Then getting the payg iPhone 3gs. At £550 I will be paying £300 out of 'my' money. Not far off the £275 O2 want. Plus O2 have just dropped my bill to £30 a month. They will do that after 9 months of being in contract. My current contract then runns to December and after that I have the new iPhone, no contract ties and a nice little £30 a month contract! Play the system!
The lengthy O2 contracts and high prices are not subsidized. They are creaming profits! I would imagin it would cost £300 max for apple to produce each hand set. Apple and O2 are making money cos they can. And I hate the long contracts.

Slinky said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

I think when you're 18 months is up you can get it for less than £30. My other half has the original iPhone and she pays £20 per month for full data access and a fair whack of messages (i think it's 1000).

I think I'll stick with the iPhone 3G, but it does seem like picking up a Pay & Go model and selling off your iPHone 3G on eBay is the way to go.

Apple and O2 aren't charity - they're business. And people who signed up for an 18 month contract shouldn't complain about having to honour it.

If you can't handle contracts then get a Pay & Go model. You might as well do it this time round because you'll only be in this position each and every year Apple brings out a new iPhone.

I'm not sure how much the iPhone 3G S costs to make, but £300 sounds about right if they're selling them for £450. actually £300 probably sounds a little high but none of us will know for sure.

nom said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

Ridiculous article. I waited out my previous contract with original iPhone not because I was outraged but because I knew what I was signing up to when I agreed to the contract.

Now I'm out of contract I'm ready to upgrade. No outrage, no sulking, no petulance.

The vast majority of iPhone owners will be the same - it's just the stroppy types who seem to post the most messages

But then, that's the web, I guess ...

NotAnnoyed said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

People signed up to these 18 month and 24 month contracts knowing what to expect. The majority that will see out their contract understand this. I will upgrade on June 19 because I am eligible. If I wasn't I'd wait. Simple!

Sarah said on Sat, 13 Jun 2009

i am going to wait till next year till i upgrade. i have 6 months left and the 3g s is not enough for me to upgrade.

Michael said on Sun, 14 Jun 2009

I think o2 should keep the iphone but another provider should get it as well, then there would be some competition otherwise o2 know that they can just name the price as people are desperate to get they're mitts on it.

Michael said on Sun, 14 Jun 2009

Myself, I have flogged my 3g on ebay and will get an s on launch payg it will cost me around £100 to change but then in 10 months time my contract will be over than i only have to wait 2 months for the next model

midger said on Sun, 14 Jun 2009

I think 'nom' and 'Jamesthecat' have it about right.

I signed an 18 month contract with my eyes open and no gun held to my head.

I read that the PAYG will not run the full contract service (only the O2 PAYG will do that) but it doesn't say exactly what bits it won't run. Anyone here know?

m

midger said on Sun, 14 Jun 2009

Here's a thought.

Would O2 allow one to keep the existing contract but buy a new handset unsubsidised? That way O2 don't pay for a new handset, the customer keeps the 18 month contract and the upgrade thereafter... Even better, if it was SIM free one could go to a new operator with it as well.

OK. Last suggestion is one idea too far..

Kelvin said on Mon, 15 Jun 2009

Anyone here moaning about the contract they signed should read the small print next time.

And stop posting about it on here, it is making you look stupid.

Slinky said on Mon, 15 Jun 2009

It's hardly small print either. It says it great big letters 18 month contract.

FFS!

Klupus said on Tue, 16 Jun 2009

Shock Horror! Big corporations are not your friend. Marketing (at which Apple is very good, look at all the attention the latest release is generating) is about getting us to 'buy into' the brand regardless of the technical merit of the product. The result is a lot of people getting all fired up about what is essentially a commercial transaction.

Really what extra do you get from the Gs, a slightly faster screen render, a marginally better camera and a compass! Oh yea and voice control which probably won't be that good. If you must have the latest 'shiny thing' just suck it up and pay the cash. After OS 3 is released your existing phone will do all the stuff you do now and a whole lot more. Frankly you don't get that with other phones. and the software upgrade is free.

I've been holding out for an iPhone with a reasonable camera. If the new one doesn't come up to my requirements I'll wait until they produce on that does. Patience can be a virtue and save on cash.

Phil said on Wed, 17 Jun 2009

Interesting. I have had my iphone since Dec 2008. It is undoubtedly the worst phone I have had for many years in terms of reliability and quality. Having said that, it's the best handheld I have ever had and Apple touch is the real deal. When the contract runs out I will abandon O2 and Apple and just use it as an ipod. Great device, troublesome phone. It's the third one (after 2 early replacements) and I find it and especially o2 shops very annoying and put me off enough to not get the intermittent faults repaired but to put up with them.