Orange France calling iPhone users with offers of subsidized 3G upgrades?

When it comes to subsidy rumors for Apple's 3G iPhone, some are more believable than others. In this case, we'll leave the likelihood judgments up to you. Readers of French tech site PCInpact say that they are getting calls from Orange with offers of an upgrade to the upcoming Apple wonderphone. For only 50€, readers say they have been told they can swap out their current-gen iPhone for the new one. Or, say the French, the upgrade will be offered at a "generous" discount. With Orange's recent 3G iPhone distro deal in the books, we had to give this rumor some airtime. Either way, this could mean everything -- or absolutely nothing -- for those of you residing stateside and looking to bump your iPhone this summer.

[Via AppleInsider]

[GreezyG @ May 27th 2008 11:54AM]

Two weeks to go! I hope is has SlingBox APP :)

[Anamorphy @ May 27th 2008 12:04PM]

Hou hou, Santa's wearing orange tonite

[Anamorphy @ May 27th 2008 12:09PM]

Hey Anamorphy, that's a badass nickname!

[Anamorphy @ May 27th 2008 12:10PM]

Oh, thank you buddy..

[Low Ranked @ May 27th 2008 1:41PM]

This comment, along with its replies, has completely confused me.

[phanbouy @ May 27th 2008 2:05PM]

that's gotta be Anonymoose

[Anamorphy @ May 27th 2008 2:19PM]

Santa je všeobecne známa bytosť obdarúvajúca ľudí na Vianoce. "Že nosí oranžovú", bola metafora k Orange-u, to jest výmena len za 50$ bola myslená ako smiešne lacná a prirovnaná k darčeku. Samozrejme viem, že nevieš o čom točím, len prispievam k tomu stavu "confused".

[Patriks7 @ May 27th 2008 3:12PM]

a ty si odkial? :o

[Ryan @ May 27th 2008 12:06PM]

Hmm... I may be in trouble seeing as how I just sold my current iPhone to help fund the purchase of the 3G model. I definitely didn't see this coming. If AT&T does this, which I can't really see them doing, hopefully they'll charge more than $100 to upgrade. Then I won't feel as stupid.

[bondsbw @ May 27th 2008 2:38PM]

Or if they charge $100, I'll feel smarter. :)

[eric f. @ May 27th 2008 12:08PM]

It'll never happen, but I would totally pay $100 to upgrade to the 3G version.

[Tom @ May 27th 2008 6:55PM]

me too

[Wii60Warrior @ May 27th 2008 12:09PM]

Lol I hope AT&T does something like this in the US....though I highly doubt it.

How terrible would it be if it turned out that Apple didn't have a 3G iPhone in the works after all? I think people all over the internet would scream in shock and agony after all this hypothesizing, etc....

Or even works Jobs comes to the podium, announces the 3G iPhone and then announces a release date for Fall 2009....

I'd probably cry....

[Ryan @ May 27th 2008 12:15PM]

Haha. Me too, because then I'd have to buy a new iPhone.

[Hotrod @ May 27th 2008 12:35PM]

The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't need to update. I'm trying not get caught up in the hype, so I won't spend another $400-$500 on a new phone.

*GPS* I couldn't care less about GPS, gas is too expensive to be driving to far away places, I'm not getting lost in my own city, and google maps works fine.

*Higher MP camera* I have 0 photos in my camera roll. It's been that way since last June.

*3G* Edge seems pretty fast to me. Maybe I have low standards. (I'm not saying I sleep with ugly women, lets not get this mixed up)

The only thing making me want it is a new body style. The current one just doesn't fit in my hand very well, and I'm hoping the rumored curve that the backside will have should take care of that issue.

[Engadgetluvsappl @ May 27th 2008 1:16PM]

Hotrod, you only feel this way because you live in America where the iPhone is king of phones, even in terms of raw specs.

Besides, GPS doesn't have to be only for car use, my N95 8GB has several different modes of GPS like walking, for example.

[Reid @ May 27th 2008 1:28PM]

@hotrod,

I wouldn't get caught up in the hype, either. The first-get iPhone is a great device, and some of the new features people are excited about with the 3G phone will be available in the software update for the 1st gen iPhone anyway. Frankly I rarely am bothered by the slowness of EDGE and GPS is only a "nice to have" (already have a Nuvi in my car, and I found using Verizon's GPS app got me lost more often than it got me found).

I had zero plans to upgrade because I don't care that much about having the latest and greatest (bought my iPhone right after the price drop).

Unfortunately (speaking of drops), my phone suffered a really nasty fall onto a very hard surface, and now there's a crack down the entire screen. Actually it's perfectly usable and I rarely even see the crack, but it bugs me enough that I'll use it as an excuse to upgrade when the new one comes out. As long as it's not some absurd price like $600.

I think most people excited about the 3G iPhone are the ones who have been waiting for the infamous always-better 'Apple rev2', not those who already have one.

@Engadgetluvsappl,

Bully for you. I love how it's always the least well-informed who come on engadget to deride Americans. It's like the geniuses on Slashdot who complain that ever post is "America-centric."

[Ryan @ May 27th 2008 2:00PM]

@Reid - FYI, the current generation iPhone cannot be upgraded to 3G via a software update. The 3G network requires an entirely different chip (We have known this since about a month after the iPhone first came out) In order for a current iPhone to get 3G, at the very least you would have to crack it open and replace the chip. It probably still wouldn't work with the current hardware and I doubt you have the soldering skills to pull that off.

[Engadgetluvsappl @ May 27th 2008 2:03PM]

"least well-informed"?

1)I know for a fact that people over there call the iPhone the Jesus phone.
2)I know for a fact that the RAZR V3 is still being sold over there.

Adding this to what I've seen right here on Engadget for example Americans get excited over poorly specced phones being released on their networks, I believe my statement is perfectly valid.

[phanbouy @ May 27th 2008 2:58PM]

ryan, i do think you're misreading reid, but thanks for the lecture that 3G is hardware

[Sid @ May 27th 2008 12:14PM]

Could it be someone has gotten a hold of oranges Iphone subscriptions database and is trying to make a quick 50Euro out of those that jump at the thought?

[Hotrod @ May 27th 2008 12:16PM]

If they knock a hundred bucks off the price for giving them my old 4GB, I'll be pretty happy. My iPhone is so peaced, I don't know anyone that would buy it for even $75. Also being a discontinued model doesn't exactly help either.

[PS3guy @ May 27th 2008 1:37PM]

My iphone still work great why upgraded for and wasted some more money lol.

[phanbouy @ May 27th 2008 2:07PM]

my grammar still not work why bother teh educashon it is useless lol

[Tyson @ May 27th 2008 1:22PM]

Ok seriously you who believes that for about $75 and an old phone, I don't car what type. They are going to give you a new phone. Especially,when the old phone is less than a year old I'd assume. I don't think they have lock in contracts like we do but seriously come on. First i am pretty sure the french law does not allow locked phones. What would stop people from buying up all of the 1st gen Iphones that will flood the us market when the fanboys find out they can bet a new model. When have you ever know a company to trade in tech? Can i take my current MBP and trade it in with $100 bucks and get a MBA? Can I trade my ps2 in with $100 and get a ps3? etc. I call bull. anytime there is any nonsense sorry about an Iphone engadget is sure to put it up. I am going to put a story out that the new Iphone will actually convert into a woman to pleasure you and buy some apple stock. Then i'll just see how long it takes for engadet to just on that and have the fan boys really revved up to buy one. All of those people in France and you would think something like that would be in business week or business 2.0 or something.

[Andrew @ May 27th 2008 1:42PM]

It makes sense to offer a discount to current iPhone owners though. Most people that wanted an iPhone have gotten one. My sister even bought one a month ago, not knowing a new one was coming out. Just because the people on this site know about a new version, doesn't mean the general population does.

Apple has sold so many iPhones, the only way they are going to sell alot of the new version is to offer a reason for people who have less than 1 year old iPhones to upgrade. Remember, if they even would sell the new one to me AT COST, I would still be renewing my contract with ATT, giving them 2 more years of their subsidized fees instead of just one more from my current contract.

[Bunson @ May 27th 2008 1:26PM]

God... it won't let me reply, my comments just disapear....

[swingin' dick hero @ May 27th 2008 2:31PM]

Yeah same here.. You're trying the quick reply without the verification email, right? I emailed Engadget 2 or 3 times about this and they said everything was fine even though it wasn't. My last email I got no response on, guess they thought I was delirious? But I've been forced to do those verifications for probably a month now. yay.

[Tyson @ May 27th 2008 1:56PM]

ok still though when have you ever know a company to allow you to take your phone back 1 year into your 2 year contract and say here is $50 I want to upgrade? In fact when has a company ever taken back anything after 90 days? In fact when has Apple ever taken anything back with out a 15% restocking fee? What would they do with al the gen 1 Iphones? Sell them? No if they new one is so cheap why would I buy the old one for more than $100? Give n them to apple and take the 15% hit, because you know apple won't take them free, no. Maybe recycle them and take that hit... no. Whats the plan what the point when you can sell people new ones? I might have angered the apple gods because it won't let me post attempt 4....

[Browzer @ May 27th 2008 1:57PM]

I'm in France and I called Orange and the guy I got on the phone said "I can't comment at the moment, but I think there's going to be an announcement pretty soon." I pressed him and said that I'm not an Orange customer and need to decide whether to terminate my contract with Bouygues (another operater here) but not willing to pay over €400 for a new phone. He told me "I don't think you'll be paying that much."

Anyway... just what one Orange dude is saying.

we'll see.

[Mat @ May 27th 2008 2:06PM]

Allright guys,i live in France and thought i should give it a shot and call Orange which I did a couple minutes ago. So what the hell this buzz is about, you're wondering?. I called up and asked exactly what was going on, obviously, the girl wouldnt answer straight up to what i was asking BUT she said these words:
"This is just hearsay at the time but, EVENTUALLY (and she stressed that word out veeeeeery much!), whenever Orange would offer such trade-in, as a current iPhone user you would then be contacted by our services...blabla"

Nonetheless, I can't see Orange, unless funded by Apple, being so generous, being that they are THE most expensive cellular phone provider here...

I hope this helps,really appreciate this site:)

[Adam @ May 27th 2008 3:37PM]

It seems to make sense that Apple should encourage current iPhonies users to upgrade to the 3G. More revenue for them, emphasis on the newer technology (less "legacy" support) and competitive with other smart phones instead of seeing "2G" iPhonies move to a 3G competitor for bandwidth (especially when the real value in the bandwidth is multimedia where the iPhone doesn't have much of an edge ... sorry about that pun.)

Surely AT&T needs to off-load users from the old tech infrastructure (which is already seemingly choked compared to the first few weeks the iPhone was available) and if AT&T has customers on "2G" then the iPhone arrives on a competitor (presumably Verizon) surely AT&T will lose customers as they take incentives to churn over to VRZN and upgrade to 3G be it with the iPhone or another smart phone.

[phanbouy @ May 27th 2008 3:45PM]

Hi Adam, how's it going? Just wanted to point out that your comment makes no sense whatsoever. Thanks for the expert analysis though!

[apeguero @ May 27th 2008 3:36PM]

Is that Magenta colored font I see in that sign Engadget? Be careful or you'll wake up the Deuschebag Telecom cuco again.

[Froggy @ May 27th 2008 4:29PM]

Ya all best make sure you really wipe that 1st Gen iPhone clean before you send it in... just a thought.

[ecobore @ May 27th 2008 7:17PM]

Yes, but look on the orange.fr coverage map for 3G and you are screwed if you don't live in the city... If rural coverage was good I would buy one like a shot!

[slarity @ May 29th 2008 8:22AM]

As stated by other readers, for $100 I would definatly upgrade. Only way they're going to get more money from me until I start seeing some sweet android devices.

[Steve Bircher @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:06PM]

Does anyone know whether the pay as you go iphone from Orange in France is truly unlocked or is it still tied to Orange. I want to use Orange payg when in France but my Vodafone Sim when in the UK

TIA

Steve

[Gideon Levingston @ Jul 24th 2008 1:55PM]

I went to buy an iphone 3g in an orange shop in the south of France yesterday July 23rd. They had been issued twenty five phones on the 17th sold out in two hours (the time to process the twenty five first customers).

The sales assistant told me that previous iphone users had been contacted by orange sales personnel to give them a preferential option on the new iphone 3g.

I was further informed that these customers and those buying an iPhone 3g with one of the orange subscription contracts would be given first option on the purchase of the new iPhone 3g, and then and only then, would the unlocked iPhone 3g be available for purchasers. 506 euros for the 8Gb and 606 for the 16Gb versions.

With Orange subscription the cost is advertised at 199 euros and the purchaser is locked into a contract for twenty four months. For the subscription of 49euros/month, you get 2+2 hrs /month call time, and unlimited internet access plus 50 sms.

If I were to purchase unlocked I would not get the internet access as I was given to understand.

I am unsure where this places Orange regarding French law which apparently stipulates that any mobile phone sold with a subscription contract must also be available without . It seems from my research that the iPhone 3g unlocked is not giving the customer the full service and therefore is a compromise forcing the customer to be roped into a contract of 24 months minimum duration.

I was also told that the use of an independent SIM card will not give the internet access that the Orange subscriber automatically gets in France.

My guess is that there is a bending of the law if not a flouting of it altogether. The sales assistant was unaware of the illegality of the situation.

I would be interested to know if the iPhone is a compromised version compared with the AT&T contract version in the US and indeed if anyone has any precise working knowledge of the French mobile phone legislation.