What are benefits of buying iPhone in an Apple retail store in UK?

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Level 1

24 points

What are benefits of buying iPhone in an Apple retail store in UK?

Hi, I'm thinking of getting a iPhone 3GS. I'm currently on O2, and can now upgrade. I know I can go in my local store and do the upgrade, but I'm visiting London over the Xmas period and so will be able to go into a Retail store.

So can I do the O2 upgrade in an Apple retail store? what will I need? what are the benefits of that? or is it the same as going to an O2 store? I dont have an iPhone currently btw.

I dont have an Apple Retail store anywhere near me, so when I go its always an event! I know you can now reserve an hour slot to reserve the iPhone so what happens?

cheers

Mac OS X (10.5.8),  iMac 20" 2Ghz, , 4Gb nano 3G,16Gb touch 1G, 8Gb nano 4G,Shuffle 1G

Posted on Dec 16, 2009 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Dec 16, 2009 11:44 AM in response to the loc-man

It shouldn't make a difference where you get it.

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Answer 2

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 16, 2009 11:57 AM in response to roaminggnome

Just thought the experience might be better in an Apple Retail store?

Can you do what I want though? ie just go in with an O2 phone currently, ready for an upgrade, and say, upgrade me please, to a new 18months O2 contract?

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Answer 3

Dec 16, 2009 11:59 AM in response to the loc-man

Yes, they can do that at Apple or O2 stores. The main difference is that you'll likely find a much better selection of accessories (cases, etc.) at the Apple Store.

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Answer 4

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 16, 2009 12:02 PM in response to neuroanatomist

great, so what will I need? or will they "know" who I am? I want to keep my same number (currently with O2) and go on the O2 18month contract.

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Answer 5

Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM in response to the loc-man

Not in the UK, but I did my upgrade to my 3GS at my local corporate AT&T store. Went smooth as silk, and I figured it was better then going to the Apple store, since Apple has nothing to do with the cell service, and the iPhone is the same either place.

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Answer 6

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 16, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Michael Black

Confused now, someone says yes, now someone says no. I am in UK remember.

I want to walk into Apple retail Store, upgrade from my O2 contract to an iPhone?

cheers

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Answer 7

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Dec 16, 2009 12:29 PM in response to the loc-man

Don't be, the other poster said they "figured" it would be better at a corporate AT&T Store, not that it is/was. If there are no problems with your account, nothing special on the account (such as a business discount paid by your employer, etc), then Apple can handle the upgrade as well as O2, or in the States, AT&T. But as neuro said you'll find a much broader selection of accessories, such as cases, cables, chargers, headphones, etc., at the Apple Store. And you can play with the Macs while you are there.

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Answer 8

Dec 16, 2009 12:33 PM in response to the loc-man

Why not just call Apple and ask them (0800 048 0408)?

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Answer 9

jamalaya

Level 1

95 points

Dec 16, 2009 12:41 PM in response to the loc-man

I phoned O2, chose the contract (18 month), kept my sim card and number, got the phone within 48 hours.
(was an upgrade). Connected to iTunes and activated. Simple.

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