iPhone on sale in France contract-free, tr�s cher

Retailer FNAC is now selling free-of-contract iPhones in France, apparently a result of this month's ruling by the French competition agency that deemed Apple and Orange's exclusive deal illegal. Though the injunction is just a temporary measure -- and has been appealed by France Telecom (Orange's owner) -- if you want to get one now, well, you can.. Those expecting a decent price will be sorely disappointed, however -- an 8GB model costs €799 and the 16GB runs €899 ($1,123 and $1,263, respectively).

[Via Apple Insider]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 6:52PM]

Wow. Makes me not hate my contract that much....

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 8:06PM]

I can't and won't ever be able to justify a 1,000 dollar phone. Sorry.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 8:26PM]

wow, they wont even buy you a drink first. lol

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 8:34PM]

In Belgium you can buy it for 525€ (8 gig) / 615€ (16 gig) without a simlock or contract.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 8:42PM]

Still not that attractive of a price. a little cheaper, but still wouldnt pay that much for straight cold cash.

Considering AT&T is a pretty good provider in my area (if not the best) i dont mind being on contract with my iphone.

[matt3rmayn3 Posted Dec 30th 2008 7:55PM]

Pretty much the same price in Italy too... Just looked in the store today and 8gb models are running about 540€, which is right around $760. And now that the dollar is getting better again, its getting a lot more affordable to buy pretty much anything overseas.

Moreover, France needs to step up their economy game...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 29th 2008 8:46PM]

Ah I forgot...maybe 475€ in the Czech Republic can convince you ;-) But it doesn't get any better after that...

[ToniCipriani Posted Dec 29th 2008 11:21PM]

Go to Hong Kong and buy it direct from Apple Store. 8GB for 5800 HKD (748 USD) and 16GB for 6400 HKD (825 USD).

[mountfranklin Posted Dec 30th 2008 3:04AM]

Hopefully Apple will start to suffer from that credit crunch everybodys talking about. I want an Iphone so badly but the prices are just for rich people, geeks, nerds, and for apple enthusiasts. I hope Steve Jobs mate Phil Schiller will present a price drop in the beginning of next year.