[Operation Wolf]

Has anybody noticed that,Like myself i am due to upgrade,That 02 dont seem to be stocking the latest phones,I was particulary intrested in the Nokia n97 or the Samsung 8910i Hd,Both of which I have been told Iphone alternatives,which gives me the impression that Apple and o2 have some sort of agreement,stopping competiton?

[blueboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Operation Wolf

Has anybody noticed that,Like myself i am due to upgrade,That 02 dont seem to be stocking the latest phones,I was particulary intrested in the Nokia n97 or the Samsung 8910i Hd,Both of which I have been told Iphone alternatives,which gives me the impression that Apple and o2 have some sort of agreement,stopping competiton?

Yes.

Just joined o2 and i have simply for now got the LG Viewty [had one on 3] until they offer better handsets. I am not willing to pay for an iphone or tocco ulta on the terrible tariffs they offer. The problem is, on PAYG each phone is the best part of £400.

In these days of recession and falling profits for handset manufacturers, surely they should think again about what people can aford or are wiling to pay given the uncertainty in the job market too.

Pure greed by all networks and handset manufacturers.

[prking]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueboy

Yes.

Just joined o2 and i have simply for now got the LG Viewty [had one on 3] until they offer better handsets. I am not willing to pay for an iphone or tocco ulta on the terrible tariffs they offer. The problem is, on PAYG each phone is the best part of £400.

In these days of recession and falling profits for handset manufacturers, surely they should think again about what people can aford or are wiling to pay given the uncertainty in the job market too.

Pure greed by all networks and handset manufacturers.

Sorry, you just joined O2 but they offer terrible tariffs???

Profits are falling at handset manufacturers (because they have reduced the selling price as we are in a recession) but you call them greedy.

Your argument makes no sense.

With the notable exception of SonyEricsson (who posted a huge loss), handset manufacturers are launching cheaper versions of handsets. (Nokia/Samsung/Motorola all offer budget versions of mid-price handsets).

[Lawe13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Operation Wolf

Has anybody noticed that,Like myself i am due to upgrade,That 02 dont seem to be stocking the latest phones,I was particulary intrested in the Nokia n97 or the Samsung 8910i Hd,Both of which I have been told Iphone alternatives,which gives me the impression that Apple and o2 have some sort of agreement,stopping competiton?

Can I just add that both of those phones are due to be stocked by Orange but have not been released yet, so it may be the same for O2 too. I hadn't heard of eithers release yet.

And with regards to manufacturers being greedy, thats ludicrous. Some people expect mobile phone manufacturers and networks to be some sort of charity.....they are a business. You can't expect state of the art equipment at budget prices.

It's not about what people can afford, if the handset costs £X amount of pounds to make, you can expect to be charged that. You point out it's a recession, well many manufacturers wouldn't last it if they did what you suggested. You'd then complain about lack of choice.

[funlovingirl]

If what I have been reading is true, the i8910 is due to be released on the 15th of May on the Orange network. I have read that O2 and T-Mobile will also stock this model through time. I am very interested in the i8910 myself, but do not think that my network (Vodafone) is stocking it as I haven't seen any articles saying so.

I am thinking of buying out the remainder of my contract and going to Orange just to get the i8910. I will wait for a couple of months though until I have read some consumer reviews about the phone to see if it is worth getting.

[funlovingirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prking

Sorry, you just joined O2 but they offer terrible tariffs???

Profits are falling at handset manufacturers (because they have reduced the selling price as we are in a recession) but you call them greedy.

Your argument makes no sense.

With the notable exception of SonyEricsson (who posted a huge loss), handset manufacturers are launching cheaper versions of handsets. (Nokia/Samsung/Motorola all offer budget versions of mid-price handsets).

TBH I am not surprised that SE reported massive losses. They seem to churn out about 5 of the same phones every month but give thm different model names.

Their product lineup is very confusing.

[gomezz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawe13

if the handset costs £X amount of pounds to make, you can expect to be charged that.

But what is the mark up on top end mobile phones? Rather a lot I suspect with a lot of model differentiation going on. There is no doubt IMHO that subsidised phone prices on premium contracts are distorting the market.

[blueacid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueboy

Yes.

Just joined o2 and i have simply for now got the LG Viewty [had one on 3] until they offer better handsets. I am not willing to pay for an iphone or tocco ulta on the terrible tariffs they offer. The problem is, on PAYG each phone is the best part of £400.

In these days of recession and falling profits for handset manufacturers, surely they should think again about what people can aford or are wiling to pay given the uncertainty in the job market too.

Pure greed by all networks and handset manufacturers.

Pure greed? Er, yeah, that's the.. the whole point behind making money. Which, I think you'll find, they want to do.

The iPhone is a luxury phone, so is the tocco ultra. If they're out of your price range, there are other phones. The standard tariffs are far better than the iPhone ones too.

During these days of recession, surely the general consumers should reconsider before getting the best phone in the shop, and perhaps get something they can afford. If they're STILL rich, then they'll be able to afford the more expensive phones and tariffs. Simple!