Now that the iPhone is on, Orange, the question is how much would it cost me to upgrade to an iPhone and on what contract?
Many people will be disappointed that, except for the cheapest 18 month contract, the Orange contracts are almost identical to the O2 contracts. So much for competition!
I haven’t had too many issues with Orange and with my ‘magic numbers’ and and decent negotiated contract I’d like to remain with Orange. But then, would an upgrade to an iPhone automatically put me on an iPhone tariff? I suspect so.
Then there is the fair usage policy on Orange limiting users to 750MB/month (from what I’ve read that’s 750MB over 3G and 750MB over their WiFi partner’s network. For streaming and the like that’s really quite poor. Maybe O2 would be a better option, particularly if I’d be forced to move to an iPhone tariff.
All of this is well and good but I’m still mid 18 month contract and I won’t be eligible for an upgrade until July. The Orange site informs me that I’d be able to upgrade in April and any days left on my contract would be added to the length of my new contract. However, I suspect an upgrade would prove to be very expensive.
It’s not really worth cancelling my Orange contract and having to pay the rest of it. Apparently you can downgrade your tariff and then pay that amount multiplied by the number of months left on your contract but that’s such a waste of money. I Guess I should make do for now and consider moving to O2 when my contract expires. I wish I hadn’t promised myself an iPhone now!
Today a nameless bank launched it’s own iPhone app allowing you to manage your finances on the move.
Would be useful to you…
Really? Why not just use Safari instead?
Cos people like apps on their phones these days. And I am sure it will make it easier to use…
I guess so. At least Apple vets the apps… right?
Yeah, seems like people are rather enamoured of their smart phones nowadays, be they the i-phone or htc or blackberry.
Well, hang on. There has got to be a newer, fancier smart phone when your contract expires.
True. In fact, the new version of the iPhone might be out by then.
I should just be patient. Besides, I think that any non-Cybershot phone may disappoint me in a big way.
I think I (and quik) can be pretty positive that you wouldn’t be disappointed. But given your timings I’d say it’s worth hanging on until July when there will almost definitely be a new model out.
As far as 750mb goes, am I right in thinking that you can still only stream radio/music over 3G, and not video? I stream radio nearly every work day (Soma FM) for 1-2 hours and don’t get near 750mb per month, so I think you’ll be fine if that’s the case for you too. After all that’s 20-25mb per day every day – you’d have to be going it some to get near that, especially as the battery is likely to give out before you reach that figure streaming anyhow
The deciding factor over which network for my new iPhone purchase next month is 3G coverage, and Orange seems to win there by quite a margin. After all what’s the point in having all that monthly allowance if you can only get a few kb/sec because the coverage is dodgy.
750mb over 3g is a lot. I hammered my usage on my Samsung Jet and could only manage 200MB (just under) in a month! I’ll try harder next time
They don’t limit the amount used via WIFI as you use your home/another network for traffic, so this isn’t measured or charged.
Banking over a 3G network? Don’t be silly! The protocol set used for the 3G network are good, but very insecure! Stick to using your home network to reduce the risk of man in the middle attacks.
All I can say is… You Tube! I’m sure you could easily wrack up 750MB worth streaming video.
The battery life of the iPhone does concern me but Quik informs me that all 3G devices are pretty poor in this respect. Then again, apparently if you don’t use the screen to play games then the battery lasts for quite a while.
I’d prefer to stick to online banking on my home PC, too.
You also have to remember wifi! We have a wifi network at work, and as soon as all the iPhone users get into the office, their iphones switch to the faster network. Admittedly they are usually tethered to their desks at this point cos of the charger. Better to use works electricity right?
There is also an app for watching a lot of TV channels now. Including some big ones, Film 4, E4, BBC1, etc. So most of them are watching stuff at work.
Nokia’s 3G devices (5800 and another one) seem to get a couple of days, sometimes 3 days use. iPhone users seem to get about 1 to 2 days depending on film and music use.
And could this be the concept for the next gen iPhone?
http://www.mobilewhack.com/wp-content/images/2009/02/iphone-4g-concept.jpg
Sorry about the delay – that looks pretty slick!
An app for watching TV channels? Whatever next!
Yes, the battery life seems very poor indeed. Not something you want to go hiking across miles of wilderness with!