iPhone's future is with Orange

Monday, 28 September 2009 10:05

Orange is to start selling iPhones as O2's exclusivity deal runs to an end next month.

Initially O2's deal with Apple to sell the iPhone lasted for two years, and now Orange is to start offering the phone now as well after broking a deal with the US electronics giant.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS will be available to UK customers later this year through Orange's stores, website and 'selected high street partners'.

Information on prices, tariffs and availability are to be announced later this year - with expectations Orange is planning a major pre-Christmas push for the handsets.

O2 is set to continue selling the iPhone, and already has shifted over one million handsets in the UK.

However, consumers will hope the extra competition will increase the prospect of price drops on the phone - although Apple is thought to expect a slice of sales.

O2, meanwhile, has bagged the rights to sell the Palm Pre - which is being hyped as a major competitor to the iPhone.

Today the Centre for Brand Analysis named the iPhone as the top 'CoolBrand' of 2009/10.

It beat Aston Martin into second place, followed by Apple, iPod and Nintendo completing the top five.

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