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iPhone Makes Landfall in the U.K.

by Tim Stevens on September 18, 2007 at 09:01 AM

iPhone Makes Landfall in the U.K.

Last week we speculated on the announcements that might be made during an Apple press conference that was scheduled for last night in the U.K. Now we have the details courtesy of Engadget. Apple announced last night that the iPhone will launch in the U.K. on November 9 and will cost £269, or roughly $535. That's a pretty hefty premium over the new $399 price here in the U.S. Apple again went the exclusive carrier route, this time partnering with O2, a mobile communications provider with about 36 million subscribers throughout Europe.

Three iPhone plans were announced that will set O2 subscribers back either £35, £45, or £55 depending on how many minutes and SMS messages they want. All require 18-month contracts and all include unlimited data with an odd limit of 1,400 page views per day. Unlike earlier speculation, this Euro iPhone will not include 3G compatibility for high-speed wireless data communication, instead using the slower EDGE technology also found in the U.S. version.

Sensing the impending disappointment over the EDGE announcement, Apple head honcho Steve Jobs blamed battery life, saying: "The 3G chipsets are real power hogs. Handset battery life cuts power to 2-3 hours." OK, but unfortunately O2 only provides EDGE in 30 percent of its coverage area, meaning many U.K. iPhoners won't even be able to use the phone. And, since EDGE technology is older and slower than 3G, it would actually be a rather expensive downgrade for O2's network were the company to implement EDGE on a more widespread basis.

So, limey Apple fans are finally just over two months away from getting their hands on the iPhone goods, albeit with some shortcomings on the data front and at a somewhat hefty premium. Of course, with the release of free unlocks for the devices, adventurous Brits are likely already using their iPhones -- perhaps to find directions to the nearest curry house?

From Engadget

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Tags: Apple, iPhone

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