iPhone 3GS coming to Orange UK on November 10

So you've been lusting after that spit-shined touchy-swipey device from Apple, huh? If you're in the UK, come November 10 you'll finally have a choice of iPhone provider (both for 3G and 3GS flavors), with The Guardian confirming the date as Orange's launch of the coveted handset. O2's exclusivity runs out on the ninth of that month, but we shouldn't be too quick to rejoice, as Orange will seek to "add value" rather than undercut O2's pricing. Independent retailers Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U are also expected to stock the iPhone on behalf of Orange, and lest we forget Vodafone will be joining in with its own offering in early 2010. The CEO of 3 has also indicated a strong desire to bring Cupertino's baby onboard, though that's unlikely to happen before the midpoint of next year. So it'll get cheaper, just very... very slowly.

[Thiran Posted Oct 26th 2009 8:48AM]

So when are people state side going to have a choice?

[EI8HT Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:22AM]

apples and oranges? i'm so confused!

[mex Posted Oct 26th 2009 11:30AM]

and what about SIM LOCK engadget? The phone will be locked with Orande and O2, coutry lock or without any SIM LOCK like in Italy for instance?

[PaulMdx Posted Oct 26th 2009 12:40PM]

@mex I like the groundless optimism, but it will almost certainly be locked to the provider.

[Jean Posted Oct 26th 2009 1:03PM]

Meh, if it was at least a decent choice, i suppose vodafone will be alright. but orange has probably the worst coverage in the U.K. o2's is alright, apart from the ridiculous price at the moment.

[Mr Lizard Posted Oct 26th 2009 4:37PM]

@ Jean P,

Orange has the 2nd best 3G coverage here, behind 3 (H3G)

Coverage maps: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/broadband/cellular/3g/maps/3gmaps/coverage_maps.pdf

(Warning: PDF link)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 8:49AM]

If the exclusivity is ending in the UK, I have hope for it ending in the US as well. Or at least some other country with a CDMA network getting a model. C'mon iPhone on Sprint.

[iDavey Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:16AM]

How often do we Americans get the choice of the Europeans...come on.

We're still waiting for free handsets on contract, lol.

[Fanman Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:47AM]

Zune HD?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 8:50AM]

too late for me

[Daz Posted Oct 26th 2009 8:51AM]

If you go onto the orange website you have to register your interest for the Iphone.

I wonder what the contract prices will be and if you have to pay for the phone?

With most of orange contracts the phones are free so will be interest to find out.

[Joeyjoejoe Shabadoo Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:04AM]

Woo orange box on the iphone!

[ChazClout Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:04AM]

"Orange will seek to "add value" rather than undercut O2's pricing." - This is a shame as it would have been nice to have seen a price war for people interested in the iPhone 3Gs.

[omegamale Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:11AM]

plenty room to add there...

for example, and i am hoping the competition may make o2 step up, is the tethering deal... at present they want to charge an extra £15 a month to use the connection you are entitled to anyway...

i think that could be looked at...

also, the 500 texts per month limit... i am certain this is mainly due to the fact that o2 know just how easy it is to text n an iphone as it is more like irc chat and its soooooooo easy to send more than you should and go over limit, charging you a hefty 25p per text.... (i had a busy month in august and spent an extra £120 on texts alone!! - only this week did i discover the "ping!" app... that could have saved me a fortune!)

i'll be interested to see what they all offer, but merely as a voyeur as i just signed a 24 month contract for my new 3Gs ahead of these announcements... still other than the tethering and the texts i am fairly happy with o2...

its doubtful that their packages will remain the same once the arena is open

[BOFH Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:16AM]

For me the really interesting bit will be if Orange offer the iPhone on PAYG and, if they do, how much they chuck it out for. If they can launch the 16Gb model for around £350 I think they'd be on to a real winner. It really makes no sense for me to get a contract phone at the moment as I'm not using anything like the minutes / texts to justify it. But a PAYG iPhone as a replacement for my 16Gb gen 1 iPod Touch would be perfect as a convergence device. Only problem is right now it costs £440 for a 3GS which is way too much compared to the £220 for a 32Gb iPod Touch. Fingers crossed....

[whatalegend Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:16AM]

let me know when Vodafone get on board! 02 and orange are for gypsies

[iDavey Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:16AM]

Woo hoo! I get an Orange Apple. That's awesome.

[DariaMorgendorffer Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:17AM]

Register Your Interest?

WTF?

I hope the ensuing price war with Vodafone gets us some good offers

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:20AM]

Orange have a history of ruining perfectly good phones by adding their own software to that supplied by the manufacturer. Inevitably this causes endless problems. I sincerely Apple will not allow Orange to do this to the iPhone. I certainly would not consider having an iPhone from Orange if they were allowed to modify the firmware/software in their usual way.

[EI8HT Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:24AM]

i could be wrong here but i'm pretty sure apple doesn't let anyone modify its iphone os. providers can opt not to offer all features (i.e. mms messages), but i'm pretty sure the os will be left untouched.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:50AM]

A control freak company like apple would never allow anyone to tamper with their software so no need to worry about that.

[supermonkey1890 Posted Oct 26th 2009 10:22AM]

If you want a phone on any network, go into the Carphone warehouse etc. and insist on an unbranded one...works for me =)

[TikiTeko Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:27AM]

In the US the iFanboy ..... in the UK... the iHooligan... Brace yourselves brothers of mother country and language ! Stay strong against the land of the iPower !

[fourthletter Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:51AM]

It will get cheap...slowly ? It's already free on contracts over £40 a month in the UK so if they can bring it down to the level of the Hero etc. on £30 result !

WOW again you Americans get ripped off by your networks ! paying for a contract and the phone ? Jesus

[GingerFox Posted Oct 26th 2009 10:46AM]

Yeah but thats £720 for an 18 month contract, since when has £720 EVER been cheap for a phone?

[Oscar Olim Posted Oct 26th 2009 12:40PM]

Ofcouse 720 is expensive for a phone, since we still need to pay text, voice and net....... oh wait, WE DON'T! The £720 is for SMS, VOICE AND UNLIMITED NET!

[MarkAnderson Posted Oct 26th 2009 10:33AM]

Nice but if you wanted one you've probably already switched to 02. Might drive some more sales though.

[Dobe2049 Posted Oct 26th 2009 2:30PM]

Screw the iPhone. ANDROID Rawwwr!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 11:47AM]

iphone come to sprint please

[magallanes Posted Oct 26th 2009 2:23PM]

I care