iPhoneclub.nl dropped us a line to share their latest information on the European iPhone launch. Now you’ve probably read around six virtual-tonnes of rumour, intrigue and supposition about all this, and like you we’re reluctant to let just any story appear on MY iTablet, but Jean-Paul assures us that his source is trustworthy.
According to their source – who works for one of the two carriers mentioned in connection with Apple’s European launch – first to get their hands on the iPhone will be the UK, Germany and either France, Spain or Italy, at the end of this year. Contrary to general custom, the handsets won’t be carrier-subsidised.
More after the cut…
Holland will then get the iPhone at the beginning of 2008. The Euro iPhone will be sold with a “special” subscription package, possibly along the lines of AT&T’s unlimited browsing model, and then in 2008 there will be three or four new, different iPhone versions, each with its own subscription package.
The (translated) email:
A few short remarks from an internal source from one of the two speculated carriers in Europe for the iPhone.
- Holland -> beginning 2008
- G, UK & FR or SP or IT -> end 2007
- No subsidised iPhone (meaning no discount with contracts)
- In 2008 3 (or 4) new versions/variaties of the iPhone will be available for the European market (each with different specifications)
- iPhone will be sold with special iPhone subscriptionI’m unable to provide any details about me as this would reveal my job description.
Of course, while it’d be nice to take this as gospel we still feel we ought to recommend a healthy pinch of salt, as with any unconfirmed Apple rumour. Even if it turns out to be correct information, Apple could change plans between now and the launch.
Hi Chris,
I think this is a misinterpretation. What our source meant was three (he said three or four) different hardware models! Not different subscription packages (albeit that could be true as well)
Can you tell us what network it will be on in the UK?
3 to 4 hardware versions? If there are some changes to the model, I can not believe to hit the market with an updated version so early, before they have taken all the profit for the current model.
Maybe these are software related versions, or just minor changes – for different carriers.
[.., I can not believe to hit the market with an updated version so early, before they have taken all the profit for the current model. ..]
Apple has to introduce at least one new 3G model for Europe. And Apple must introduce the iPhone into Europe (and maybe Asia) to make their 10 million goal by end of 2008.
Steve Jobs has already said he would prefer that Apple “cannibalize” their products rather than waiting around for others to do so.
Plus, the iPhone has from a two to five year head start on competitors for the new consumer-friendly smart phone, but competitors are already rushing out the “iPhone-killers”, so new models must be steadily rolled out to maintain their lead and achieve their goal of market penetration.
I made a very interesting discovery today while doing some modding to my iPhone. I was attempting to customize the carrier logo and decided to try and find a backup of the original if I needed to revert, I was able to find a backup of all default images on the iPhone (http://www.modmyiphone.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=79&act=down) included was the default AT&T logo of course but it also had icons for T-Mobile and Vodaphone as well as some other interesting icons I have yet to see on the phone itself. Leftover files from pre-production or signs of things to come?
@hardmanb:
of course you might be right that apple has to innovate it’s phone to suit the European market better, but with all it’s hype, I do not think they are going to with their first introduction.
I rather believe they will use the same hardware model, add MMS and that’s it. The 2nd iphone might get 3G and possibly AD2DP stero bluetooth, but they will likely pass it through the FCC for the home market, before it comes to the rest of the world.
Unless they take a different route, introduce it in Europe first, get it annouced and then when it is in the market, let FCC inspect it for the American version to get to the US later in 2008.
If a 3G version is coming to Europe, then the carrier for the UK must be Vodafone, and then it could be Vodafone for Germany as well (as 3G is their market strategy). But this doesen’t fit to the other rumors with O2 and T-Mobile.
@J Henley:
I believe the logo’s are either leftovers, or might be used when roming in other countries. Has anyone used their iphone in Europe yet? Might be interesting to see if the logo changes when roming in other carriers.