3G iPhone: No UK launch event next week
Tags: apple, hands, event, press
We're sorry to have to break it to you, but if you live in the UK, you probably won't be able to buy a 3G iPhone next week. How have we come to that conclusion? We contacted an Apple spokesperson to find out if there's going to be a UK press event next Monday, to coincide with Apple's Worldwide Developers' Conference, and they said no.
Normally this wouldn't mean anything, but when Apple's about to launch a new product internationally, it tends to organise a press event in London and stream a video feed of the US show. The absence of a shindig here has made us think Steve Jobs isn't going to announce the 3G iPhone for every market -- although a US launch is very likely indeed.
What will probably happen is that it'll come out in the US first and then other markets, including the UK, later in the year, as with the original iPhone. We seriously hope we're wrong, but it's unlikely that Apple would launch such an important device in the UK -- particularly as 3G is much more widespread here -- without making some kind of hoopla about it.
Either way, make sure to visit CNET.co.uk next week to check out all our Apple coverage and find out whether or not we're going to have to wait to get our hands. Alternatively, you can watch our 'exclusive hands-on with the 3G iPhone' (note the date we posted it) and keep on dreaming. -Andrew Lim
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AnonymousWed 4 June, 2008 1:39pm
"I don't think it's going to be later than that as we have no more stock in the UK, so something has got to happen"
I agree with the above comment ... there's no stock of the 8GB at O2 and none of either model at the UK Apple store.
It doesn't make good business sense to have that situation going on for long after the US release.
I personally think the launches will be a lot quicker than everyone is speculating.
I suspect the US phone will be available online at the Apple Store either on the day of WWDC or the day after (the only thing that casts any doubt is AT&T's holiday ban memo which begins 1 week after).
I also predict that the UK model will be available within a fortnight following WWDC, three weeks at the very most.
AnonymousWed 4 June, 2008 5:25pm
I went into an O2 store in the London suburbs at the weekend and asked when they were getting the 3G iPhone. The salesman said - "first two weeks of June"
AnonymousThu 5 June, 2008 8:20pm
I think that there will be some slight delay for the UK launch over the US. But all signs point to a rather imminent launch in any case in the US, and worldwide soon after. I honestly believe that it will be in UK shops by early July latest. So (if I'm right) no more than 4 weeks to wait... :o)
AnonymousSun 8 June, 2008 7:25pm
as everyone says, all 'old' iphonesare out of stock even on o2 website so a bit silly to have nothing to sell for a long period of time especially if there seems to be such a large number of people waiting to get their hands on one
AnonymousTue 10 June, 2008 8:09pm
At the WWDC key note speech, Steve Jobs announced the launch date for iPhone 3G to be 11th July.
Where's this info about next week whilst we are still in early-June?
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AnonymousWed 4 June, 2008 1:30pm
In the UK we knew already we weren't going to get the iPhone next week. As you say it will be released in the US first and then in the UK in a few week's time. I don't think it's going to be later than that as we have no more stock in the UK, so something has got to happen!