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UK to get updated iPhone model?

PowerFullMac

PowerFullMac

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 16, 2006
4,000
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According my friend who has worked with Macs for many years a 'reliable source' told him that the iPhone which will be released in the UK will be a updated model... What are your thoughts on this? I (and just about everyone here who is in the UK) am hoping this turns out to be true and not another one of those rumors that everyone withs will come true but probably will only happen in our dreams. (Not that I dream of iPhones):D
 
Your friend is talking out of his ass. The only possible change is the inclusion of 3G, viable since it has far greater coverage in Europe than in the US, but that's still a major question mark. It'll include the software updates as available in the US (presuming Apple doesn't introduce a parallel software line for European iPhones). Minor tweaks like 3G and localization, maybe, but definitely not anything even close to an iPhone v2.
 
I might as well be the first to say it because someone will, here we go 3G iPhone. Thats not what I think but thought I would get that out there so we can look at something a bit more realistic.

I reckon if this "reliable source" is right it will be the same iPhone with just some different applications and or additions to applications. The iPhone will remain the same iPhone that is in the US but over here it will probably be released with MMS, thats a definate possibility and something I dont think is unreasonable. Also it will possibly get bluetooth filesharing and someway of putting on customisable ringtones.

Im no expert on the US mobile phone market, but in the UK that is definately the three main things that people will be after I would have guessed. The rest of the iPhone I would say will remain unchanged.

Who knows what Apple will do, we will find out nearer the time (better be soon I am itching to get one!!!!)

Edit: Not first to say 3G, bet me to it, but I told you so someone would put that one out first!!!!
 
Thats what I was thinking, Santa Rosa, I didnt think they would make a proper 2G iPhone but just make a few adjustments.
 
PowerFullMac said:
Thats what I was thinking, Santa Rosa, I didnt think they would make a proper 2G iPhone but just make a few adjustments.
Click to expand...

Lets just hope we are right, Im still going to get one, but if it comes out the way it is in the US it wont be an iPhone but more of a cripplePhone the way the UK phone market is.

Hope it turns out good!! :)
 
As much as I'd like to have 3G on the iPhone the lack of it will never prevent me from buying one as soon as they come out in the UK!!
 
sananda said:
it's going to be super slow if it has to work on GPRS.
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking, and the only network in the UK with EDGE is Orange, which is not getting the iPhone (unless we've all missed something). So eather it will get 3G or internet will be damn slow if we dont have WiFi.
 
PowerFullMac said:
Thats what I was thinking, and the only network in the UK with EDGE is Orange, which is not getting the iPhone (unless we've all missed something). So eather it will get 3G or internet will be damn slow if we dont have WiFi.
Click to expand...

O2 have recently upgraded their GPRS network to EDGE. A big clue as to who might get the contract with Apple for the iPhone.

If you look at 3G coverage as I did recently you'll see that it's fairly pathetic outside of the main cities, for all networks. That fact has made me change my mind on whether 3G is a good idea at this point in time.
 
Does the Nokia 6230 have EDGE by any chance? I hope o2 do get the iPhone, o2 rocks, its the only network in the UK that gives me 300 free texts on pay as you go (or pay & go, same, thing) if I top-up my phone £10.

emotion said:
I'd like it if the iPhone was EDGE/3G. Best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
AirmanPika said:
Sorry kids, the iPhone will be identical to the US version. You're just preparing yourselves for a disappointment.
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Sounds like an iPhone user afraid Apple might deliver based on the expectations of the local market. If you thought delivering a 2G model in the US was idiotic, then a 2G in Europe is retarded.

I noted a couple of months ago a rumor surfaced that one of Apple's other suppliers was contracted to deliver a different build of the iPhone in August. As was mentioned in the article, there was no details other than a different case was expected. Now that could have been just a different trim for the European market, or could mean they intend to deliver 3g. As various websites have pointed out a 3G iphone's case would likely be thicker to accomodate the larger chipset and possibly bigger battery.

If i'm wrong, i won't bleet and whine about it. Just accept the fact that no gadget can be all things to all people and progress always means that new toy is obsolete as soon as you take it out of the shrinkwrap.

P.S. I fully expect a riot on this board if Europeans get 3G. ;)

M. :D
 
Exactly, they simply CANT SELL A 2G ONE HERE! 3G is the only other option as we dont have CDMA or anything in Europe.

AirmanPika said:
Sorry kids, the iPhone will be identical to the US version. You're just preparing yourselves for a disappointment.
Click to expand...

If thats true then they will be completely useless in the UK as the US ones are locked to AT&T :D
 
The "two case" rumour is one I hold up as some kind of proof too. However that could have been the new iPod with HD.

Also as I mention above EDGE could be seen as being a better bet for a lot of UK users as 3G coverage isn't all that great, still.

If users are comparing specs though launching the US iPhone in the UK market does look like commercial suicide.
 
AirmanPika said:
Sorry kids, the iPhone will be identical to the US version. You're just preparing yourselves for a disappointment.
Click to expand...

I don't think it will be. Interface wise it will probably be the same but i think the hardware will probably be different. Probably to reduce the cost of parts inside.
 
TBi said:
I don't think it will be. Interface wise it will probably be the same but i think the hardware will probably be different. Probably to reduce the cost of parts inside.
Click to expand...

Well, sure. I mean, heck, you have the whole drive-on-the-left thing going on, too.

Clearly it will have to slide and rotate in the opposite direction!

Nothing compared to the changes for our friends Down Under and Upside Down, of course.

:D:D
 
I think there's a good chance that the hardware will be the same. They will sell like hotcakes either way. So Apple can just release the same hardware, and get it to market quickly. Then they can take their time to fine tune a 3G model and then later sell a newer version to new iPhone users as well as those who bought the "old" model.

The current iPhone works with GPRS in Europe - I've tried it. And I think the GPRS coverage is pretty good, although it is slow. Some places there is EDGE as well though.
 
Ok, maybe a stupid question but I'll ask anyway. If they do release a 3G iPhone in the UK and we were to take a trip over there to buy it, would it work on the AT&T 3G network here?
 
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