Most will now know that Apple has launched the latest incarnation of its iconic much-more-than-a-mobile-phone iPhone – the iPhone 4 or should that be iPhone 4g? It sounds as though Steve Jobs’ latest and greatest is a real technological jewel too.
Hot on the heels of the launch of the iPad, which aroused much curiosity in Italy, and had Italians in Rome and Milan queuing up to buy one of the things, the iPhone 4 is likely to generate almost as much interest, even if the forthcoming iPhone is basically an rehash of an existing product, and not, unlike the iPad, something completely new. Will the iPhone 4 be popular in Italy? Most probably, especially up here in Milan, where you see more than a few iPhones on the streets.
In style conscious Italy, the iPhone is a fashion statement, and it compliments the sophisticated look which Italians like to cultivate.
It is, however, not just in Italy that Apple’s mobile phones have proved popular.
iPhone 4 Update 3 August 2010 – The Apple iPhone 4 is Now in Italy!
For details and updates on iPhone 4 availability in Italy, please see the new iPhone 4 Availability in Italy post.
iPhone 4 Update 27 July 2010 – Tim, Vodafone and 3 Italia Release Prices
Over on Tom’s Hardware Italy – Apple iPhone 4 prezzi: 3 Italia, Vodafone, TIM – in Italian, you’ll find details of the prices of the iPhone 4 in Italy, along with details of Tim, Vodafone and 3 Italia iPhone 4 plans.
iPhone 4 units sold through Apple Store, Apple Store online and certain Apple dealers will be available without a contract – which means they will be unlocked. According to Tom’s Hardware, Apple Store prices for contract-free (unlocked) iPhone 4 units will be:
- Apple iPhone 4 16 GB – €659 (€548,27 without taxes)
- Apple iPhone 4 32 GB - €779 (648,27 without taxes)
- Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB – €539 (€448,27 without taxes)
For full details, in Italian, hop on over to Tom’s Hardware and use Google Translate – or ask a question via a comment.
iPhone 4 Update 16 July 2010 – iPhone 4 in Italy from 30 July 2010
According to an article on the site of Italian newspaper La Repubblica today – 16 July, the iPhone 4 will be available in Italy from July 30. It is also likely that the iPhone 4 sold in Italy will have the iOs 4.0.1 operating system update pre-installed, as well as the silicon rubber mod which should cure the reported reception problems. iPhone 4 reception troubles have only caused problems for 0.55 percent of iPhone 4 users, according to Apple.
iPhone 4 Update 9 July 2010 – Call Reception Problems
According to an RF antenna expert who was contacted by PC World, the iPhone 4 does not really have any reception problems. Although, by all accounts, the signal-strength indicator on the iPhone 4 is somewhat optimistic, other than this, iPhone 4 call reception is as good as its predecessors the iPhone 3, and iPhone 3gs. Apple has an update to quell the enthusiasm of the iPhone 4 signal-strength indicator in the pipeline.
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What is more likely to have caused reception problems for iPhone 4 users is that mobile phone networks are becoming saturated by all the new bandwidth hungry smartphones we are all getting our hands on. Don’t blame Apple until you have checked with other people. If iPhone 4 users with the same mobile phone provider are are all having reception problems, then this could indicate an overloaded network, and not a malfunctioning iPhone 4.
Actually, experts in Italy have expressed concerns that Italy’s mobile phone and data networks may well collapse under the strain of too many smart phones. I wrote about this recently – scroll down to read the Italy’s Mobile Network May Collapse section of my Italian News Fragments from July 2010 post.
End of Call Reception Problems Update.
iPhone 4 Update – 4 July 2010 – Latest Rumour
The iPhone 4 may be available in Italy on 23 July 2010, with pre-ordering starting the week before. This is the latest iPhone 4 rumour flying around the web in Italy. A post on the Italian Iphone site, iPhoneProject.org mentions this date, and I’ve seen 23/24 July mentioned on other Italian sites too. Other Italian iPhone 4 sites think the 23 July date is a little optimistic and are saying the end of July is when the iPhone 4 will land in Italy – although the 23 July is rather close to the end of July anyway.
If you are lucky, you might be able to pick up an iPhone 4 if you come here on holiday this summer, although I suspect the first iPhone 4 shipments will be snapped up by Italians – especially if Apple releases an update to correct the reported iPhone 4 reception problems.
End of Independence Day update.
iPhone Update – 27 June, 2010
The iPhone 4 has hit the UK, and virtually sold out moments after its physical launch.
More significantly, the first iPhone problems have manifested themselves, as was to be expected with such a new product.
The reception of calls can be erratic apparently, and Apple has told people to hold the iPhone in a particular way, although Apple is rumoured to be working on a modification – so that the iPhone 4 can be held normally, one imagines. There is also the small matter of getting the things made in large enough numbers to satisfy the voracious demand.
As a result of high levels of demand (Global crisis, what global crisis?), Apple has been experiencing supply problems which may well slow down iPhone 4 production levels, and thus, limit availability. The knock on effect may be a delay in the supply of the iPhone 4 to Italy – so expect the July launch date to change.
While it is possible for Italians to buy an iPhone 4 in the UK, I do not know whether the UK version of the iPhone 4 has an Italian language option, which is something which will put off many Italians who are not comfortable with English. Italians who are early adopters are likely to know English rather well, I suspect.
Iphone 4 Pre-Ordering not possible in Italy Yet
On the Apple Italy site it is possible to register to be able to receive an email when the iPhone finally hits Italy. If you would like to be informed on Apple iPhone 4 availability in Italy, then follow these instructions:
- Visit this page: Apple iPhone and click on the blue ‘Avvisatemi‘ button.
- Add an email address.
- Then, uncheck the next pre-ticked box: “Tenetemi anche informato sulle novità Apple, gli aggiornamenti software e le ultime notizie su prodotti e servizi.“, unless you want emails in Italian from Apple about everything and anything Apple.
- For reasons unknown, there is a pre-checked little blue circle under the ‘Località‘ – ‘Location’- heading which says ‘Cina‘ – China. Where it says ‘Altro‘ – other – I’d suggest entering the Italian for ‘Italy’, which is ‘Italia‘.
- Then click on ‘Invia‘ – send – and you should get an email once pre-ordering is possible, or once the iPhone 4 becomes available in Italy.
I have signed up.
This post will be updated once Apple tells me that the iPhone 4 can be pre-ordered or bought in Italy.
End of 27 June 2010 Update
Everyone Wants Iphone
The Apple iPhone 4
My post on unlocked Apple iPhone availability in Italy jostles in terms of popularity with that of a post all about dealing with traffic infractions. The iPhone post has 175 comments from those eager to pick up an unlocked iPhone for use in countries where iPhones are generally tied to specific mobile phone service operators. Over 39,000 people have seen the post since it first appeared back in August 2008, as a matter of interest. Most of those reading and commenting appear to have been in the market for an iPhone. I suppose the iPhone post just might have helped generate 20,000 or so sales for Apple, assuming that around 50% of those who visited did actually go on to buy an iPhone after reading my post, in fact, you would not bother reading such a post if you were not seriously thinking about buying an iPhone. To be honest, though, I have no real way of knowing exactly how many iPhone purchases my post generated, either directly or indirectly. So far, Steve Jobs has not iPhoned me to say thanks!
Actually, I doubt this will ever happen, not only because the extra iPhone sales BlogfromItaly.com may have generated are minimal in the overall scheme of things, but also because Apple cannot really condone people buying iPhones which are unlocked, as this would annoy all the mobile phone companies which encourage people to sign up for iPhone contracts.
Iphone 4 in Italy – When, and Will it be Unlocked?
Anyway, back to the iPhone 4. The big question is will the Italy iPhone 4 be unlocked? The iPhone 4 will probably land on Italy’s shores in July this year, according to a report dated June 7, 2010 in Italian newspaper La Repubblica. It is probable that the iPhone 4 will be available in an unlocked version for Italy’s pay-as-you go ‘ricaricabile’ mobile contracts, but I don’t think anyone can be certain about this until the iPhone 4 lands in Italy. Technology site Mashable indicates that while people in the U.S., the UK, France, Germany and Japan will be able to get their hands on iPhone 4s on June 24, another 88 countries may have to wait until September. However the wording of the Mashable post indicates that the iPhone 4 will be available in another 88 countries by September, so maybe the new iPhone will arrive in Italy in July. We’ll see. Then there will be the inevitable technological hiccups which tend to beset the first versions of new gadgets like the iPhone 4.
Iphone 4 – Estimates of Prices in Italy
Italian unofficial iPhone 4 website, iPhone4.it has already published some estimates of iPhone 4 prices in Italy. According to the site, which bases its estimates on iPhone 4 pre-order prices in the UK, the prices of iPhone 4 models in Italy may be around:
- €640 an for iPhone 4 16 Gb,
- €770 for an iPhone 4 32 Gb.
Not cheap, but then for a design icon, you would expect to have to pay a premium, and iPhone prices don’t seem to put many people off.
Will I get an iPhone 4?
iPhone 4 - HD Video
Well, I am tempted. The enhanced display, coupled with a 5 megapixel camera and the ability to shoot and edit on the go via iMovie for iPhone HD videos appeal, especially to this a blogger and twitterer.
While my beloved Blackberry Bold 9000 does take photos and do videos, their quality, it has to be said, is not great, and the editing capabilities are basic. On the other hand, my other half’s first generation iPhone does take rather good photographs, and I’d say any iPhone would make a respectable alternative to a point and shoot digital camera for many people. OK, the iPhone images are no match for the flexibility of one of the latest full-blown digital SLRs, but for snapshots, the iPhone does very well indeed. If you have an iPhone, you probably don’t need another digital camera – unless you are someone like me who enjoys struggling around with a dSLR and a bag full of lenses and other bits and bobs. Luckily, not everybody is like me, so an iPhone might well suffice.
It’s amazing how quickly digital camera technology is continuing to move ahead, and problems with grainy pictures taken in low light are starting to become a thing of the past, just ask anyone who is lucky enough to own a Canon EOS 7d. I can see the day when mobile phone cameras will produce photographs of a quality which will rival those of many traditional cameras.
What mobile phones like the iPhone and the Blackberry can do which even many expensive digital SLRs cannot, unless you add on a bulky and expensive accessory, is to transmit photographs and videos to the world wide web, to places such as Facebook, Flickr, blogs, and the like, quite easily via a UMTS network connection. In Italy, you may have some trouble finding a healthy UMTS connection though, so getting those photos where you want is not always as simple as it could be. Well, this is the Living Museum.
Recently my Blackberry has not been able to receive iPhone transmitted photographs, and it has been having problems surfing the Italian web in central Milan. This begs the question: Are Italy’s mobile networks able to support the ever increasing numbers of smart phones which are hitting the market? If everyone starts emailing 5 megapixel images from their iPhone 4s, then Italy’s mobile networks might overheat, groan silently, and fall over. If the iPhone 4 does make it to Italy in July, one suspects that Italy’s mobile operators, Vodafone, TIM, 3G and Wind, are going to find summer this year long, hot and testing.
While the iPhone 4 shows lots of promise, I think the iPhone 10 will be really incredible, although the tenth incarnation of the Apple iPhone is still quite a few years off!
More Juicy Details of the Apple iPhone 4
Just pay Apple a visit: Apple iPhone
Italy Flavour Iphone Apps
Over on the interesting and informative Italy travel guide site, WhyGoItaly, you’ll find a handy post with lots of information on apps for your iPhone which will help you if you are planning on coming to Italy, or if you are learning Italian:
Italy iPhone Apps for Travel, Language Learning, & Fun
Photo credits:
Er, images used in this post have been ‘borrowed’ from Apple (I’ll remove them, if asked, or ordered, to do so by nice Apple lawyers.).
About Alex Roe
Italy Chronicles Feed
It is obvious that we Italians still have a ‘stone age’ mentality to modern technology. You can all keep your Blueberries, I’ll travel to London if necessary to purchase my iPhone 4. Why the hell must I wait till September?
Proud owner of an iPhone 3G and iPad
Hi Maurice,
I don’t entirely agree that Italians have “a ‘stone age’ mentality to modern technology” – but the upper age groups, 55+, who also happen to control most of Italy do tend to have a ‘stone age’ mentality to modern technology. But then again, the older generations in many countries find technology hard to comprehend.
Not sure you will have to wait until September to get hold of an iPhone 4 in Italy. They may arrive in July – not Italy’s fault. It might be down to having to translate everything into Italian – but I don’t know whether UK iPhones have the ability to change the language into Italian. If not, then I’m 100% sure this work is in progress, most probably in Apple Italy, and I imagine once the translation has been done and checked, then Italy will be graced with the iPhone 4. Perhaps someone else can confirm this.
On the internet front, Italy is behind – again, partly because of the old men running the country, and partly because internet would lead to great levels of ‘democracy’, which is something some elements of Italian society would like to avoid. Beppe Grillo has demonstrated how effective the internet is in spreading information on the shenanigans of Italy’s government.
I think Italians might adopt more tech, if they were able to. Indeed, here in Milan, iPhones are all over the place, which might support my assertion re Italians and tech.
Thanks for commenting.
Best,
Alex
There is no cool features in Iphone 4. Iphone software sucks cant do anything with it!! And everything opens a new program, that is from stone age!! Horrible way to make phone. Visually the phone is piece of board. No creativity, anyone can design so non cool.
Not sure everyone agrees with you, TV. I’ll have an iPhone 4 shortly, so I’ll be able to see what it is really like. My other half has an iPhone 3 and it is not bad at all. The only thing I’m not sure of is the virtual keypad, but I think I just need to use it lots.
iPhone 4 has 5 megapixel camera, and hd video with on phone editing, which is not bad, and then there are all the apps, some of which are superb. If you don’t like them, get something else.
Best,
Alex
UN iphone 4 comprato in USA puo essere sblccato in italia /???
Ciao Roberto,
La risposta è: Credo di si, ma, non so come. Sono sicuro che Google avra una risposta su come può essere fatto.
Saluti,
Alex
Hi Alex.
Firstly, thank you for such a great blog.
This is so helpful for people who dont understand italian that well.
You dont need a italian Passport or Code Fisicale?
If you want to be sure to get the Italian Iphone 4 on the 30th of july (on the release date), what way would you recommend me to go about?
Are they being sold via TIM, Vodaphone or 3 with out subscription? (meaning they are unlocked).
Me and my best friend are thinking we are going to stand in a queue in front of the Apple store in Milan the day before? What time do you recommend us going there?
Do you know what time they open at apple store? Is there a special event going on so they open early?
Im not sure you can answer these questions all though, it is really hard for us (two students) to get the information because not many people in Italy speak English.
I hope you can help us out a bit.
Regards,
/Andy
Hi Andy,
Glad you have found this post useful
Now:
“You dont need a italian Passport or Code Fisicale?” – You don’t need an Italian passport, but you might need a ‘codice fiscale’ – unless they sell you an iPhone with no ‘pay as you go’ card.
The iPhone should be here on 30th of July, but I’m not 100% sure – I’ve just quoted what was said in a major Italian newspaper. On the Apple Italy site, pre-ordering is still not possible, and in view of the iPhone 4 problems, the 30th July date might change.
“Are they being sold via TIM, Vodaphone or 3 with out subscription?” – They should be sold at TIM, Vodaphone or 3 shops without a contract, but, again, I’m not sure about this. I suspect contract purchases will be given precedence by TIM, Vodaphone or 3.
“Me and my best friend are thinking we are going to stand in a queue in front of the Apple store in Milan the day before? What time do you recommend us going there?” – First, you need to be certain of the launch date in Italy – which should be 30th, but is not 100% certain. I don’t have a direct line to Apple – you could try contacting them – in English to get confirmation on the 30th July launch date.
The actual Apple Store is not in central Milan, and is not too easy to get to without a car – the address is:
Centro Commerciale Carosello Carugate 20061 Milano telephone: 02 9250 7200
Opening hours are:
Monday to Friday:
09:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday:
08:30am – 09:00pm
There is a map here: http://www.apple.com/it/retail/carosello/map/
No special event is mentioned on the Apple Store Milan website (nothing in the Rome Apple store either) – but this might change closer to the launch date.
You could, I suppose, take the green metro line to a place called Cernusco sul Naviglio, and then get a taxi from Cernusco sul Naviglio. Taxi may not be cheap.
To be honest though, it may be better for you to go into central Milan and visit Tim, Vodafone and 3 shops in the centre on the 30th – you could also try the FNAC store in Via Torino too – they stock Apple products, but although Apple iPhone is listed on their site, the actual iPhone page is ‘under construction’: http://telefonia-gps-mp3.fnac.it/home/telecom.aspx?PID=11&bl=HGAChead
It’d be nice for an Apple Italy person to pop in here and leave some info – even anonymously, but I do not expect this will happen.
Hope this helps a little – happy iPhone 4 hunting!
Best,
Alex
Hi,
So the iPhone 4 won’t be available without a contract at tim, tre and vodafone? And is media world an apple retailer which will sell the iPhone 4 without contract? Will be going to Umbria next Sunday and am trying to find two iPhone 4′s…
By the way, I heard the apple store in Milan opens it’s doors at 7 am next Friday…
Dirk
Hi Dirk,
“So the iPhone 4 won’t be available without a contract at tim, tre and vodafone?” – No, this is not the case – Tim will be offering the iPhone 4 without a contract, 3 Italia may well do too, and it is likely that Vodafone will as well – if not initially. ‘Without contract’ in Italy means with a ‘pay as you go’ card – which you may be obliged to buy.
Media World may sell the iPhone 4 – it depends whether it is one of the ‘certain retailers’, as mentioned in the 27 July update above.
I had not heard that the Apple Store in Milan will be opening at 7 am, but seeing as it is the launch, this is possible. Where did you see this?
Good luck iPhone 4 hunting in Abruzzo – I just hope Apple’s stock levels will hold. Sounds as though quite a few people might be picking up an iPhone 4 in Italy during their summer breaks!
Best,
Alex
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your quick response, I found the information about the Italian Apple Store on a Dutch site, but it seems the information is not on the official site anymore (http://www.iphoneclub.nl/81634/italiaanse-apple-store-op-30-juli-al-om-700-uur-open/). Wanted to do some iPhone hunting and hoped that Media World would be a good chance to get one… Is there more information about that store yet?
Greets,
Dirk
Hi Alex, Nice Blog!
Just wanted to let you know(and possible readers) that apple store is sold out of iphone 4.. Had to que up for threee hours in a que thath seemed to be quite organized with tickets and all…
And then suddenly they were sold out..
Hi Alex, sorry for calling you Andy last time, was a bit drunk I guess… I am now in Italy but so far no luck here in umbria. All the 3 and tim shops don’t have stock of iPhone 4s and someone tried to sell me a 3G…!!!
Anyone have an idea of stock in Italy?
Thanks
Dirk
Hi Dirk,
Keep trying! I managed to find one TIM iPhone 4 in a local shop here in Milan. Try the bigger towns, and Umbria is not too far from Rome – where you might find more iPhone 4s, and there is the Apple store in Rome too. Try places like Expert, Euronics and Media World – the larger electronic stores – usually in out of town locations.
I know a few people who are iPhone 4s, so there is quite a bit of demand. Supply may be slow in August too, but you might get lucky.
Happy hunting,
Alex – alias, sometimes, Andy!
Hi Alex,
Rome us just too far but just read on ispazio that new deliveries to Apple stores will be made timorrow! Had no luck at mediaworld in ancona but will see tomorrow!
Greets
Hi Dpz,
Hope the iPhone 4 hunt ends successfully! Keep trying – I suspect Apple will keep stock flowing – it knows that there are quite a few customers like you in Italy this summer, and iPhone sales equal profit!
Best and keep me posted,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Unfortunately wasn’t successful in Italy but a friend of mine managed to find me two iPhones in London… Still had a nice holiday though. And visited the apple store in Milan!
Greets
Hi Dpz,
Sorry to hear that you did not manage to track down an iPhone in Italy, but I am not too surprised. From what I’ve understood, Italy’s mobile phone operators are focusing on selling iPhone 4 models with a contract, and not selling the units themselves without a contract. This makes sense, as I suspect many Italian iPhone customers will want the iP4 with a contract. The phone operators will want to keep these people happy first, but once demand stagnates a little, I’m sure iP4s will be available to one and all – there is money to be made on their sale, that is certain, and neither Apple nor the others will ignore this, even if they might not be able to officially condone it.
Glad to hear you did get hold of two iPhones via London! Tottenham Court Road to the rescue perhaps?
Best,
Alex
I will be living in Milan, Italy starting October. I was wondering if it would be cheaper for me to buy an iphone 4 here than unlock, jail break and then bring it to Italy. But I do not want to use the “pay as you go” system since it would probably end up being very expensive.
Is there any way I can get a plan for the unlocked iphone 4 from over seas?
Please and thank you in advance
But I do not want to use the “pay as you go” system since it would probably end up being very expensive.