Telegraph UK reports that consumer interest in the next-gen iPhone has nearly quadrupled since the release of its 2G predecessor. With all of the hype and anticipation surrounding it, it is certainly not hard to see why.
According to O2, Apple’s exclusive UK iPhone provider, more than 130,000 people have pre-registered their interest in the device. This is up from 35,000 who pre-registered their interest in the device between the time of its unveiling on September 18 last year and November 9, when it went on sale in the UK.
“Many consumers were put off by the £269 initial price for the first iPhone, so Apple has allowed O2 to heavily subsidize the new handset for contract customers, giving it away free on some contracts when it goes on sale on July 11.” via Telegraph.
O2 chief exec, Ronan Dunne, noted that the price of the original iPhone had been “an issue for some segments of the market,” which may very well have been the case globally. The price drop will be perhaps the most important enticement for many, as a number of international carriers have announced further subsidies bringing the price down even more with contractual service plans.
