Vive les iPhone Price Drops! Le Prep for 3G?

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Ars Technica (via Market Watch, via Les Echos) reports that French iPhone carrier Orange may be the third European country (after Germany and the UK) to begin discounting the 8GB iPhone.

Unlike the previously mentioned Germany and UK, these price cuts are said to come on the heels of what's considered disappointing sales for Apple's phone debut in the land of brie and champagne.

Having moved 100,000 units in 4 months, at an averaged rate of 325 a day according to Apple Insider, Orange executives appear to be denying any disappointment, while the 3G rumor mill continues to push any discount in Europe as the clearing of stock in advance of the next generation release.

Did European execs over-order in face of the US success? Does the buzz and the high percentage of users who switched carriers just to get the coveted iPhone offset mere unit sales? Was 2.5G doomed in Europe from the start? Or are the 3G-Files right and this is just the next step towards next gen? What do you think?

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.