What happened to all the 16GB 3G iPhones..?

[RobMoss]

Up until June, the 3G was available in 16GB as well - so where are the remaining stocks..?

The reason I ask is that I'm about to sign for a 3G on the o2 Open plan, and would have happily paid the extra few quid to get a 16GB, but they're no longer available.

So where are they..? Is it at all likely that there are still stocks in the o2 shops..? If I asked nicely, would it get me anywhere..?

Or did they conveniently all sell in time for the 3GS launch..?

 

[-Ryan-]

The remaining stock will have either been sent back to Apple to be used as warranty replacements, or retained by o2 to be used as insurance replacements, much like most retail products. You'll be unlikely to be able to source one new in the UK.

 

[RobMoss]

That makes sense, ta!

I did wonder whether Orange and T-Mobile will have the 3G in 8 and 16GB, but of course they'd still need to send all the o2 16GBs back for re-locking.

Wonder if we might see an Orange 32GB 3G..?

 

[-Ryan-]

Well with the release of the original iPhone in 2007, o2 signed an exclusivity deal with Apple in the UK so they could be the only carrier to sell the phone. I don't believe it was ever released as to how long the deal would be for, but most assumed either 2 or 3 years. Perhaps this time next year we'll see multiple carriers selling iPhones in the UK. Until then, you'll have to go the jailbreaking/unlocking route.

You can check out this post: https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/08/05/o2-iphone-exclusivity-in-the-uk-to-end-october-9th/ for more information about the exclusivity deal coming to an end. I don't know how accurate it is though, but it could be a sign of things to come!