20 September 2007
The announcement that O2 is to exclusively supply the iPhone in the UK has been welcomed, but doubts remain as to whether the gadget offers customers real value for money in terms of the technology it offers when compared to other mobile and MP3 devices available.
Price comparison and switching service uSwitch praises what is describes as a "spectacular device" and believes that 18 month contracts instead of the predicted 24 month minimum terms is good news for customers.
Indeed it also commends the iPhone for the breadth of the tariffs on offer from O2 which include unlimited mobile data usage and access to 7,500 wi-fi hotspots.
However it questions whether the handset's lack of 3G capabilities makes it truly worthwhile, also criticising the phone's small memory size.
"It's not all a bed of roses," Chris Frost, mobile phone expert at uSwitch explained.
"Like the iPhone launched in the US earlier this year, the handset does not feature 3G, meaning that customers will only be able to experience web browsing to the full when they are connected to a wi-fi network.
"Secondly, the 8GB of memory is half that of the top of the range iPod Touch - the 'iPhone without the phone' - that, for the same cost of £269, features 16GB of memory, features wi-fi web browsing and doesn't tie you into a £35 contract for 18 months.
He added: "The iPhone is a groundbreaking device that will undoubtedly be very popular with iPod fans everywhere. However, while customers may decide to hold off for the inevitable 3G version, others may consider the relative benefits of buying an iPod Touch music player alongside a better value mobile contract."
The iPhone goes on sale in the UK from November 9th.
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