[Matt D]

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communicatio...9661641,00.htm

Originally Posted by zdnet

In the US, AT&T's pricing for the new iPhones matches the launch pricing for older versions, allowing for upgrades in specification. For example, the new top-of-the-range 32GB model costs the same as the old top-end 16GB handset did, and the new 16GB version costs the same as the old 8GB version did.

In the UK, however, O2 has gone for higher launch prices. While the old 16GB handset was introduced at £159 on the lowest monthly tariff, the new 32GB model costs £274.23 (a 72 percent increase). The new 16GB handset costs £184.98 on that tariff, compared with the old 8GB model's £99 (an 87 percent increase).

One explanation for the higher new prices could be the strengthening of the dollar — Apple is US-based — against the pound since last year's launch, but that would only account for an increase of around 25 percent. A spokeswoman for O2 told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that iPhones are now "less subsidised [by O2] than they were before". O2 did not respond to a request for further comment.

Rip-Off Britain once more?